3 Minute Card Making Hack - Inking Your Dies

Hello, craft enthusiasts! Today, we're excited to share a fantastic 3-minute tip that will take your die cutting to the next level! In this quick tutorial, we'll explore inking your dies to create bold outlines that make your designs pop. Let's get started!

Materials You'll Need:

Die-cutting machine
Cutting die of your choice
Blending mat
Dark brown ink pad
Cardstock

Step 1: Die Cutting as Usual

Begin by selecting a beautiful cutting die; in this case, we're using a Leaf die from a papercraft Society box. Cut the design as you normally would, without any ink or additional embellishments.

Step 2: Preparing the Die for Inking

Place a blending mat on your work surface and position the die with the cutting edges facing upwards. Take your dark brown ink pad (you can use any colour of your choice), and generously ink the die on the cutting edges. The ink may not be immediately visible, but trust that it's there.

Step 3: Applying Inked Die to Cardstock

Hold the inked die only by the edges and carefully place it onto your cardstock. Run it through your die-cutting machine in the same manner as you would with a regular die-cut.

Step 4: The Big Reveal

After running the inked die through the machine, get ready for the big reveal. You'll notice not only the cut-out pieces but also a beautiful dark brown outline around all the edges. This simple step adds dimension, a subtle drop shadow, and enhances the overall appearance of your die-cut design. Place the inked die-cut alongside the untreated die-cut for comparison. The difference is remarkable! The inked version boasts sharper, more defined edges, elevating the entire design. It's a subtle effect that makes a significant impact.

And there you have it! A quick and easy technique to bring your die-cutting projects to life. Experiment with different ink colours to match your projects and watch as your designs gain a new level of sophistication. If you enjoyed this inking your dies tip, be sure to subscribe to the Craft Stash YouTube channel for more inspiring ideas. Happy crafting!