Which comes First?

[princessmeshelle]

The stamping or the die? I just go my PTI order and I'm excited. I just and not quite sure how that is supposed to work. If I stamp and color the balloons first it seems it might be tricky to get it lined up. But waiting until the shape is cut makes stamping tricky and coloring awkward. Any help is appreciated!

I guess I should have mentioned I'm talking about the set Up up & Away and it's matching ballon die!

[Erin in Okc]

I prefer to cut them out first and then stamp. It works better that way for me.

[meluvstampin]

I also cut them first. Much easier to line up as the stamps are clear.

[kaenasmommy]

i prefer to stamp first then cut with the die. i line up better that way, especially with wood mounted stamps. even clear i still prefer to stamp first then cut.

[whoistracy]

I usually stamp & color, then cut out. But sometimes I will cut first, then stamp. It just depends on the item I'm stamping, what die I'm using, the mood I'm in, etc. It really is a personal preference.

[Cindy H.]

I don't have any PTI stamps and coordinating dies - yet! but I thought I read on Nichole's blog that she cuts with the die and then stamps the image while it's still in the die. Is that a possibility? My memory does not always serve me well but somehow I thought this might be right since the die is solid (not like Nestibilities).

[trilatius]

Check out the video at the end of this post in Nichole's blog: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capt...ps-tricks.html
I found it very helpful. She die cuts first and then stamps.

[kikikaren]

I cut first and then stamp, regardless of clear or rubber. I have tried the other way and kept being just a hair off, which drove me nuts! It was frustrating to have to try five times to get one that was close enough even for government work.

[Carol W]

I've found that with any solid die (e.g., Cuttlebug, PTI) it never works for me to stamp first then cut. So I always cut, then stamp. One thing that helps is putting a bit of low-tack tape onto the die-cut paper piece to hold it still on the table while you're aiming with your stamp.

With my Spellbinders however, it's stamp, then cut, all the way! That is definitely a big advantage of their open design.

[NikiE]

I cut and then stamp when using the PTI dies. It helps to put a dark cardstock under your die cut so you can really see the outline when stamping.

[Paperella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikiE

I cut and then stamp when using the PTI dies. It helps to put a dark cardstock under your die cut so you can really see the outline when stamping.

Great tip, thanks! I always cut and then stamp, but sometimes I have trouble getting things perfectly aligned.