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Help! Card layers (mats) are always crooked? *Merged
Any tips on how to accurately apply a layer or a focal point to a card base? When I am trying to line up and "drop" a piece of paper that has tape on the back, inevitably it "lands" slightly askew. I have tried drawing pencil lines on the card base as a guide, etc. Nothing seems to work. It is hit and miss. Isn't there an accurate way to do this? Frustrating! Pardon the simplistic, Stamping 101 type question, but I can't seem to figure this out. Thank you.
Last edited by TexasGrammy; 04-23-2010 at 04:12 PM..
Any tips on how to accurately apply a layer or a focal point to a card base? When I am trying to line up and "drop" a piece of paper that has tape on the back, inevitably it "lands" slightly askew. I have tried drawing pencil lines on the card base as a guide, etc. Nothing seems to work. It is hit and miss. Isn't there an accurate way to do this? Frustrating! Pardon the simplistic, Stamping 101 type question, but I can't seem to figure this out. Thank you.
Oh I understand your pain!!! I love perfectly straight edges and layers..........however one issue is that every cutter can be off just teeny bits and cause some crookedness. Another problem that finally I did figure out is to put one of the sides down with barely a tiny bit of the glue or tape sticking and hovering over until it looks as even as I can get it and then stick it down. Oh gosh that was a run on sentence! LOL I hope it made some kind of sense!!! But truly do remember..........that our hand made cards and projects having a bit of imperfection truly make them more beautiful to our recipients!!!
I didn't really have that bad of a problem lining layers before, but it was so painstaking to get it just right I started looking for something to make it easier. A lot of people here on the board were using Perfect Layers, and I finally caved and bought one on Ebay. I love that thing! What's awesome about it is that you trim AFTER you glue/tape the paper.
Something quick that I do is I also use Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue - I add a thin line around all edges, place it on the mat I'm layering and it gives me plenty of time to slide the top piece around until I feel it's perfectly aligned on all sides. Since it's liquid - it doesn't dry immediately and my mats slide better than with other glues. After I have it placed just right, I can press down each side more firmly for adhesion. I think this is miracle stuff! It comes in a white bottle with a green lid - has an applicator on both ends so you can add as much or little as you like!
I understand your difficulty. I have had a couple lately with either multiple popups or thick popups that made getting the image panel on the front of the card a bit more difficult.
I have a suggestion. I have a thick (1/4 inch) little sewing ruler that I often use to give myself a straight edge over the front of the card that allows me to touch the dimensional-ed image to the ruler before dropping it down to the card front. One benefit is that it has ruler markings and I can center the ruler on the card front. Disadvantage? It is only 5/8 inch wide so if my panel is further than that from the edge of the paper, it doesn't work as well.
The other choice is a clear block that I have. I like it because it is heavier. The block is about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide with grid lines and no finger holds indented into the edges. I can lay my card down (it is easier if it is open) and set the block on the front of the card wherever I need it to be an edge for my dimensional-ed piece. Then I place the image panel over the place where I want it and slide it down the edge of the block.
Does that make sense to you? If you have more questions, speak up and I'll try to take a picture or something.
I often use a quilting ruler and a craft knife to get nice layers. I have couple of these rulers. One is about 6 inchs square and the other is straight. Because they are clear with lots of markings they work well for this. I tend to leave the bottom layer a little large than I want my finished product to be. I adhere the top layer down, line up the ruler with the top layer and trim the bottom layer. A good sharp blade is important for good results. You could probably use a quilters rotary cutter, but I have not done this. Good luck.
other issue is that the groove made by scoring and folding the card makes the size of the base a little off. drives me nuts! I tend to have wide borders for this reason!
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Maybe you can consider dotto...I use the non-permanent kind and when you stick it down and it's crooked, you can pull it back up and re position. It saves my sanity:-)
other issue is that the groove made by scoring and folding the card makes the size of the base a little off. drives me nuts! I tend to have wide borders for this reason!
Well, now there's an obvious solution that never even entered my mind. :rolleyes: The wider the border is, the less noticeable if it's a bit off. Great idea!
My remedy up till now has been distressing the edges.
I use grid paper and Mono multi glue. As stated above the glue gives me enough time to get my layer straight. I line my card up on the grid paper and use it for perfect placement every time. I like the perfect layers tool, but I tend to work from the outside in as opposed to inside out on my layers.
First, let me just say you are SO not the only one, lol! It is a common problem. Some things that I do that help:
+ Stand up when I'm gluing the layer down. It really makes a difference if I can look straight down on the project.
+ Try to get your adhesive right up to the corner edge. This way you can get just the very tiniest bit of the edge of your first corner down without necessarily committing yourself, lol! This way you'll be able to kind of adjust the tilt of your layer a bit to make sure the edges are equal.
+ When I lay my layer down, before trying to actually press enough to stick, I try to eyeball the edges around the top. If the left, top, and right edges are all equal, then in theory the bottom will take care of itself. Which brings me to the last one:
+ Check to see that both your card base and the layering piece are accurately cut. Seems simple enough, but it does happen that your initial cut to make the base card might be off by just a smidge, and that right there can throw everything off. Same with the layering piece...a lot of times one side might be just a teeny bit wider at the bottom than the top. Even 1/16th of an inch would be noticeable.
And then for me, I have the additional hassle of involuntary tremors, lol! Aaargh! I can be SO careful lining everything up, just to have my hand twitch just enough to move things off kilter.
At the end of the day, though, try to remember that we are our own WORST critics! What's seemingly glaring to you will probably never be noticed (or cared about) by anybody else, because they are looking at your card as a whole in complete admiration.
I was doing some late night on line shopping last night and saw a stamp that fits this situation perfectly. It said: Its not perfect, its personal! I know what you mean tho. I really like my stuff to be lined up and centred. I have a 6x12 clear quilting ruler that I use. Another repurposed tool I use to line up things is my sewing gauge.
Can I pass on a tip that I was shown? I always use double-sided tape to adhere my mats etc. Turn the mat over and put strips of dst along each of the four edges. Then peel back just about an inch on each side, creasing the backing paper so it's at right angles to the mat.
Put your mat in position - when you're happy with it, press down in the centre with one hand and peel away each strip of backing paper, smoothing the edge as you go.
The theory is that with only about an inch of "sticky" adhering the card it's easy enough to move if it isn't quite straight. Works for me every time! HTH xx
I also use the 'hover' method as LuvLee posted! I get really close to the card, let one corner or edge perch where I want it to go, then let the rest go down when it is lined up. The layer is probably only 1/8 of an inch in the air over the card at that point where I let the first corner or edge go down.
Although I think 1/8-inch mats are often nicer looking it is much easier for me to get straight layers if the mats are 1/4-inch because I can then use my Stamping Up grid paper (or graph paper or grid paper by other companies) to help align it.
If I've used my Xyron for the adhesive I do as smudgerroonie suggested and slowly peel back the protective liner and smooth the layer into place.
And MsBetsyZ is also on target when she suggested standing up to apply your layers.
Any tips on how to accurately apply a layer or a focal point to a card base? When I am trying to line up and "drop" a piece of paper that has tape on the back, inevitably it "lands" slightly askew. I have tried drawing pencil lines on the card base as a guide, etc. Nothing seems to work. It is hit and miss. Isn't there an accurate way to do this? Frustrating! Pardon the simplistic, Stamping 101 type question, but I can't seem to figure this out. Thank you.
I just eyeball it ... and I typically do tiny borders!
I often use a quilting ruler and a craft knife to get nice layers. I have couple of these rulers. One is about 6 inchs square and the other is straight. Because they are clear with lots of markings they work well for this. I tend to leave the bottom layer a little large than I want my finished product to be. I adhere the top layer down, line up the ruler with the top layer and trim the bottom layer. A good sharp blade is important for good results. You could probably use a quilters rotary cutter, but I have not done this. Good luck.
This is my technique, too. Way too much stress to try to position something. OK, sometimes I have to, but most of the time this method is a lot easier.
I am so pleased to read all these wonderful ideas. And to know that I am not alone with this nagging little problem. I was wondering if I had missed something when trying to learn basic card making techniques, but I can see now that this is a challenge to many stampers. It is very informative to learn how others have worked out various methods for improving control over all this "sticky" stuff!! Thanks a million!
I love this question and am printing off this info to keep in my craftroom. Darn it I want it perfect and if is just a tiny bit off..............I have to redo............oh man it is hassle.Again thanks for asking.
I use Xyron for my layering, so I have to be very careful, since once it is is down, it is down. Whenever possible, I start from the inside out. So I will cut the most inside piece, and then put it on the next color, before cutting the next color. (I also do this with punching.) I layer it 1/8" from the left and bottom sides. Then I use the paper cutter to cut the other two sides. When layering the last piece on on the card base: Before putting adhesive on the piece to put down, I check it against the card base to eyeball the borders, since they don't always end up exactly 1/8". :-/ Then I start placing it against the folded edge first. I figure if my outer border of the card base is too big, I can always trim it a bit. HTH!
For those of you who use a Quilting Ruler: How do you use this? What is the best one to buy?
I think I may have to break down and find a perfect layers tool.
Just a hint for when you have a crooked layer you just can't live with, dental floss is a great way to pry the two layers apart, and usually you can still use both of the layers again. Ask me how I know.
I also put my card up on my desk about three feet away--you'd be surprised how much more accurate the layers look when you're not 5 inches away from them.
looked at that perfect layers too - looks interesting and I would be willing to give it a whirl. certainly looks like it is better than that "matter" tool that came out eons ago by some scrapbooking company - do any of ya'll remember that - a series of metal circles that had a hole for a pencil and you ran it along your edge. Never really worked but that perfect layers looks like it actually works - and with reviews too to back it up!
one question though - do you think you get a lot of "waste" little pieces that you can't use....as opposed to what you get when you trim with a traditional paper cutter before layering?
I use Xyron for my layering, so I have to be very careful, since once it is is down, it is down. Whenever possible, I start from the inside out. So I will cut the most inside piece, and then put it on the next color, before cutting the next color. (I also do this with punching.) I layer it 1/8" from the left and bottom sides. Then I use the paper cutter to cut the other two sides. When layering the last piece on on the card base: Before putting adhesive on the piece to put down, I check it against the card base to eyeball the borders, since they don't always end up exactly 1/8". :-/ Then I start placing it against the folded edge first. I figure if my outer border of the card base is too big, I can always trim it a bit. HTH!
For those of you who use a Quilting Ruler: How do you use this? What is the best one to buy?
LM :-)
I think that Tim Holtz does a similar ruler with a metal edge which is good for cutting and not nicking the ruler - I had already invested in a rotary cutter and ruler - You want one with small increments and that you can see through. You cut your mats to size and then put your ruler over one of the edges of the mat - if you have cut the layers for a 1/4 then you put the ruler 1/4 over the edge of the mat and lay the top layer on it 1/4 from the bottom and top and butting up to the edge of the ruler. HTH.
Several people have mentioned the "Perfect Layer" tool. I decided to purchase it after reading the accolades in the preceding posts. I had a little trouble finding it, but finally did at the Home Shopping Network, (HSN). They had it in stock and a neat little video showing how to use the tool. While it doesn't answer every type of application, it certainly looks like an invaluable aid for straightforward "layering." I imagine there are other sites that might charge less, but I didn't get a chance to do in depth research. I just wanted to pass this information along.
Just a note on the Tim Holtz ruler that RiverIsis mentioned. It's great, and has holes for piercing.
BUT, and I am not the only one who has had this problem, the black lines on the ruler can rub off with time. I feel I'll have to get another one soon. I probably will, because one of the big pluses is that you can get a narrow mat by lining up the inner edge of the still guide with your image layer.
It also has a centring feature like quilting rulers, which I use a lot for positioning.
Judikins also makes a clear ruler with a steel edge, but it's metric, not imperial, doesn't have holes for piercing and can't be used for centring. But the lines stay on the ruler forever.
I use C-thru rulers. They are clear and have a easy to read grid. I have several (6 ", 12", and 18"). I have 2 of the six inch rulers that I lay one across the top and one to the side. The rulers has a 1/8" grid lines so it makes it easy to make the small layers. A bounus is they are inexpensive ($1.30). I buy them locally at Aaron Brother but there are a ton of online sites that carry them.
other issue is that the groove made by scoring and folding the card makes the size of the base a little off. drives me nuts! I tend to have wide borders for this reason!
Do you use a scor-pal - I had this problem until I put my unfolded edges in corner and then burnished the fold gently pushing the edges into the corner. I don't know if this makes sense but it has worked for me. Also folding the card with the "mountain" from the groove on the inside made it easier too.
