[Tutorial] Faux Letterpress with Embossing Folder

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Morning Crafters! Some of my most wanted Lifestyle Crafts embossing folders are finally shipping! While I was waiting on my new folders to arrive, I experimented with the Faux Letterpress technique. I've tried the technique a couple times before but was not satisfied with the inks I had. This time I tried Lifestyle Crafts letterpress ink and loved it!

Here is a comparison photo. Crisp, even impression when using the letterpress ink on letterpress paper. The color is a bit off in this photo - I used the left piece (with light pink letterpress ink) on my card.

A closeup (the one on the left in the photo above)

You will need:

1) A die cut machine. (Big-shot, Cuttlebug or Epic Tool)

2) A embossing folder (Sizzix, Cuttlebug or Lifestyle Crafts)

3) A letterpress ink or a ink pad (scroll down for ink comparison photo)

4) A good size acrylic block (ink base) and a brayer (or use a ink pad directly on the folder)

5) Cardstock or letterpress paper

6) Cleaning cloths

Step 1: Squeeze some ink onto the ink base. You do not need a lot: with the amount showing in the photo I was able to get two full pieces done. The letterpress ink comes in many different colors that you can also mix and create your own color.

Step 2: Get a nice thin and even coat of ink on your brayer.

Step 3. Transfer the ink to your embossing folder. The results will be more impressive if you ink the side with more raised area.

Step 4. Put in your paper and run it through your die cut machine. Normal cardstock will do but I prefer the deep crisp impression with the letterpress paper Lifestyle Crafts carries. They come in all different sizes. I used No.10 flat cards (go in standard No. 10 envelopes).

As shown in the photo: dye Ink tends to bead up, pigment ink gets into the grooves and is hard to get an even coverage. The difference between my 1st  and 2nd run with the letterpress ink is that I put a piece of cereal box paper on top of my cutting plates the 2nd time.

Both of my sample cards were made using a sketch from Hero Arts August Contest.

Quick and easy! The results are quite striking in real life! Are you ready for some new embossing folders? :) Here is a preview of the new ones from Lifestyle Crafts! Fresh and trendy! I want to collect them all!

Watch L Letterpress video demos and tutorials here.

More of my posts on letterpress here.

In this tutorial, the ink base and ink brayer I used were from the letterpress starter kit which is sold in both Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann's (thinking about your 40% off coupon? wink!) I will also link all supplies at the bottom of this post (you can get 20% off them with my promo code + free shipping now thru August 26 at lifestylecrafts.com)