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I have an embossing folder with a frame that I like, but words that I don't. Can I, with an exacto knife, cut out the inner portion containing the words? Will it leave a line, then?
I would think it might. But if it is a folder you won't use as is....can't hurt to try. If you don't use it now as is, would you sell it? If not, then carve away and see what happens!!!
I'm sure it would leave a line IF you just use it in the normal way after cutting out the sentiment.
But I would find directions for using small embossing folders without getting the lines from them. That would be the situation you would be in...so the instructions would be the same.
There's also instructions for how to do partial embossing with a folder. You could just exclude the area that you don't want.
Karen, if you do decide to cut out the words, let us know how it worked. I have cut a slit in the top of the fold so I could emboss long strips and it has worked fine. Some folders are manufactured with a slit at the top, this particular company's did not.
I would be interested in know how other cuts work out.
Well these are all good ideas! Thank you so much for giving me various things to try. If no one has really given it a try, I may wait until a sale at AC Moore - they sometimes run their folders for 1.97, and buy a duplicate just to try. IF I could get it to work, it might be easier to be able to cut it out once, and not worry about trying to fiddle with it to get it just right.
I have done this and it did work but would never do it again. Used a very sharp Xacto knife, it took for ever, hands hurt when done and had to sand the edges to smooth them out. Have not had a problem with lines when using. HTH
I did cut mine - not the middle, but the edges. I also used scissors, 'cause I'm afraid of knives. It DID leave a line, but I bent the cut edge away from where the paper would go (is that confusing?), and then it didn't anymore. I guess if I were to try this, I would use my cropadile (or whatever) to punch a big hole in the center, and finish the job with scissors. I am still scared of knives.
I did this to my circles and flower-circles, and swiss dots folders so I could repeat the pattern on cards that were bigger than size A2.
At the worst, you could buy another embossing folder if it didn't work out. Or... maybe buy another one FIRST, just in case. Keep the receipt and then return it if it does work out all right.
Well these are all good ideas! Thank you so much for giving me various things to try. If no one has really given it a try, I may wait until a sale at AC Moore - they sometimes run their folders for 1.97, and buy a duplicate just to try. IF I could get it to work, it might be easier to be able to cut it out once, and not worry about trying to fiddle with it to get it just right.
Thanks again.
Karen
Oh, yes, you can do this. I didn't see this post when I was typing out my previous post.
If you have a hot knife, that would work a lot better than a regular xacto knife - the heat from the knife melts thru the plastic instead of the sharp blade cutting thru it.
You wouldn't want to cut thru both sides of the folder at once, though, because you might end up melding them together!
I agree with Cheryl about the hot knife (mine's called a "stencil cutter") as far as ease of cutting, but strong shears or a sharp xacto knife should work, too. If you use the xacto, I would use several passes to get deeper each time, rather than trying to go through the whole thing at once. If you sand the cut edges to "round" them, they shouldn't leave any lines. Let us know how it works out!
I am not sure if you have these, but they make it easy to use and helps to partially emboss with a folder. My pack came with a circle, oval, and a small oval that would work go over a word I bet. I know there are ways to do this without the diffuser, but I haven't tried.
I am not sure if you have these, but they make it easy to use and helps to partially emboss with a folder. My pack came with a circle, oval, and a small oval that would work go over a word I bet. I know there are ways to do this without the diffuser, but I haven't tried.
Winnie - I have the diffusers and they work great! But, I also have a folder where I like the frame but not necessarily the words, and the words are too big for the holes in any of my embossing diffusers. I've decided not to cut mine, since I might want the words sometime, so I've done the masking where you create a homemade embossing diffuser with chipboard that I keep with that folder.
I cut my folders all the time. Try using the copy paper trick to stop the lines. Instead of using both the B plates (on the cuttlebug). Just use one and put about 14 pieces of folded copy paper on the top (instead of the other B plate). I use this method all the time for partial folders so it may work with your cut-out. You may have to sand the inside edges of your folder to smooth out the snags. Can't hurt to try it!! Good luck.
I'm not at home right now, but instead of cutting, which will work for sure, you could also use the "partial embossing folder technique" that I have somewhere at home. When we get back from our trip, I will post it here for you. It is some bit of work, but once you have your "masks" you can use them over and over and keep you plate intact.
I've cut one to separate a square design with a space in between what was essentially two corner designs. Left a huge line. I intend to sand it down. If doing it again if also stagger the cut lines slightly so they didn't end at exactly the same spot though in my case there was very little tolerance to do so. I hope sanding it down to bevel the edge will work. I expect it will.
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Can a portion of an embossing folder be cut out?
