Project Ideas, Tutorial

How to emboss with background files

Good Afternoon!

As soon as I made the checker plate background I knew an embossed version would really bring the design to life and wanted to see if I could use my background files for embossing. Of course this method can be used with any background pattern which is awesome but what’s even better is that it also means that we can save some money on embossing folders :)

Pic 1: I cut the checker plate background at 8 x 8 inches to have a larger pattern which I thought might emboss easier, as the card I used is so thin I cut 4 copies then glued them all together ensuring to line up the pattern as exact as possible. If you were using thicker cardstock you would probably only need 2 layers of card.

embossed card 1

Pic 2: I took one of the cutting plates from my big shot, I laid it on top of my cut panel and made a mark each side where it needs to be cut to fit through the big shot. I cut mine with my guillotine but you could also use a ruler and a craft knife.

embossed card 2

Pic 3: When you make your sandwich, the card you wish to emboss needs to be between your cut pattern and an embossing mat, I’ve used the spellbinders junior rubber mat for my big shot.

embossed card 3

Pic 4: I embossed some silver satin card to try to achieve a realistic result, here’s how it looks after it has been run through the big shot on tab 1 (you can add a shim if you need a little more pressure):

embossed card 4

Pic 5: I was so impressed with the result that I also cut some letters then ran those through the big shot and embossed them in the same way, they looked just as though they had been snipped out of an aluminum sheet! Some large silver brads or snaps finish off the look on my simple but very masculine card:

embossed card 5

My cut pattern is sturdy enough to keep and use again which will save me from having to cut it each time I wish to emboss, I’m now going to make a version for each of my background patterns so they will be on hand whenever I need them. I just love it that I have another use for my cut files and I can save money at the same time :)