Hello everyone! I am back today with another crafty tool tutorial! I am very excited to share a how to process video (and step by step with photos below) of the new BetterPress System from Spellbinders! This tool is such a unique, fun new product for card makers. I love it a lot, and I know you will too! Check out the video below for a full tutorial, or follow along with step by step pictures below if that's more your speed!
For the new BetterPress System, you do need a die cutting machine to use it with. I love the Sizzix Big Shot, and have a whole blog post plus a process video on that also! First off, what is the BetterPress system? How is it different than stamping?? The BetterPress LetterPress system uses the pressure of the machine to impress the image into the paper with the ink, leaving an indentation on the paper. The press plates are the metal images & phrases you use to make your indentations onto your paper. The press plates are magnetic, and are easily used by placing them onto the BetterPress magnetic platform.
When you purchase the BetterPress, you not only receive the BetterPress System itself, you also receive:
- Flower Press Plate with "You're my favorite person" press plate
- A2 sized cotton card panels in white, ivory & grey (five of each color)
- Roll of Washi Tape
- BetterPress Black Mini Ink Pad
- Chase (magnetic platform to hold the press plate) and Three Shims
- Platen (clear top plate with registration marks
This system is super easy to use, especially if you have used a die cutting machine before. Grab your die cutting machine, and take the plates & platform out of it. You will be able to put the system through your die cutting machine by itself. The BetterPress comes with 3 shims, I like to use all 3 with the A2 cotton panels that are given, but if you do decide to purchase the heavier cardstock from Spellbinders, make sure you take one or two of the shims out. Now onto how to use the BetterPress!
First, you grab one of the Cotton Card Panels included in the pack and tape this onto the plastic top.
You can use the lines in the plastic to line it up perfectly. The next step is to grab your press plate! One of the nice things about this system is that Spellbinders gives you a whole starter kit, so it even includes a press plate. But now, they have so many to choose from, including their new Christmas & Halloween line! You put the press plate on the magnetic platform, lining it up where you'd like the image or words to show up on your card. Here I am using the Wishing You A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year Press Plate, which covers the whole front of an A2 sized card!
Next step is to grab your ink. You just press your ink down onto the metal press plate, going over as many times as you need to get the right amount of ink on it. You can use other inks on this, but I like just using Spellbinders ink. Archival ink also works good, but Spellbinders recommends not using pigment based ink, as it will result in an over-inked image.
Once you have all your ink on, you place the plastic piece back onto the platform. It is magnetic, and the corners will all just stick into place! There is a little space between the plastic piece where your paper is, and the magnetic platform.
Now you grab your die cutting machine! From here, you will run the plate through your die cutting machine, ONE TIME. It's important to note that you only put it through once, don't go back and forth with it, like you might with die cutting.
Next step is to lift the plastic piece off carefully, to reveal the design! How beautiful did that turn out!?
It's really that simple! Plus, it is so impressive. Imagine sending a Christmas Card like this in the mail. Grandma is going to be blown away!
From here, you can use markers to color in the designs, or my favorite is using watercolor (especially with your inks!) which is actually the preferred way to color these backgrounds! Stay tuned to see how these fun covers I made with the BetterPress turn into beautiful cards! You can shop the whole BetterPress collection here. Hope you enjoyed this, and I hope this inspires you to create something new!
With heart,
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