Thinlits leaving impression in card stock

[luv2bmom]

This may be a ridiculous question but how do you avoid the impression that the edge of the thinlit leaves in the card Stock?

[buggainok]

It's not a ridiculous question, and I've seen others ask the same thing.

From what I've read, there is not too much to do about it. I think it depends on the pressure of your particular die cutter as to how much it makes an impression in the paper, also the type of paper can make a difference.

[harvestmoon]

Different brands of dies will leave impressions in different areas. The cutting edge of Thinlets is on the inside of the opening then there is an extension outside of that. If you are cutting a hole, say in a card front to put something under it to show through, you will have the impression of that extension, but not on the die cut piece. If you use Spellbinders there is an extension on both sides of the cutting edge, so you will have that 'frame' all around your die cut piece, and the hole you cut it out of. Other brands have very little extension...I'm thinking of a set of circle dies I got at Michaels, maybe American Crafts, and they have such a tiny extension that it doesn't even show. This is the way many other brands of dies are. You may just have to ask about it before you purchase more dies.

[shazsilverwolf]

I know some of the Mixed Media dies from Tim Holtz do this, not all but some. There doesn't seem to be any way around it, I tried all sorts of shimming/sandwich options and could not get rid of it. Depending where it is, the die/card, sometimes an embellishment is the only answer!

[Mrs Noofy]

I know when I am doing partial embossing with a folder I use 14 or 15 folded sheets of copy paper instead of the top plate on my cuttlebug. Maybe this might work...haven't tried it so I can't be sure. I know it works with the folders.

[bjeans]

It seems like if there was any chance of avoiding it on some dies you'd need a very specifically cut shim that avoided the part of the die you don't want to show. IOW, the shim would be added to the parts of the die you did want to cut/show so there would be more pressure there and less around it.

But theory and reality sometimes don't play nice together.

[buggainok]

I've been thinking about this, and have a solution - tongue-in-cheek: when you're done die cutting, take your reading glasses off, then look. Like magic, the impression is gone!

I'm actually kind of serious. I have to remind myself occasionally that I am not Hallmark Card Company. I am one little person who likes to be creative and make cards. They are handmade cards, and as such, are not expected to be perfect.


Once in a while I give myself a break and think, good enough is good enough.

[SkyNacho]

One thing you might try is gently flipping over whatever you've cut into and trying to smooth out the indentation from the back with your bone folder. I sometimes do that if I've slipped on my score board, and i can usually "undo" an errant score pretty well.

You might also try using clean(er) cutting plates. I find the more used my plates are, the more likely I am to have extra marks somewhere.

Neither of these are guaranteed to work, but just a couple of suggestions.

[Scrapjanny]

I don't think those dies are designed to cut apertures/windows into cards. I've never used them for that purpose because of the indentations they leave.

[StamperDea]

May be a crazy idea, and I haven't tried this. Wonder if you ran your die cut (or aperture as the case may be) back through the machine with the usual plates/shims, if that would help minimize the impression? Sort of "iron it out"? Dea

[shazsilverwolf]

Dea, I like that idea. Never thought of trying that- I'll give it a go when I get a chance and let you know how it works out.

[bethr1776ad]

I have a sort-of related problem. I often want to use a die cut upside down, but the cut edge is raised just enough to bug me. I know, I know, my recipients don't, or won't notice, but even when I press the edge with my bone folder I still see it. I've even used a sanding block.

A little too much OCD!

[Scrapjanny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethr1776ad

I have a sort-of related problem. I often want to use a die cut upside down, but the cut edge is raised just enough to bug me. I know, I know, my recipients don't, or won't notice, but even when I press the edge with my bone folder I still see it. I've even used a sanding block.

A little too much OCD!

Is it possible to flip your paper the other way when you're cutting it? (e.g. Face-down instead of face-up?)

[brendaruse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StamperDea

May be a crazy idea, and I haven't tried this. Wonder if you ran your die cut (or aperture as the case may be) back through the machine with the usual plates/shims, if that would help minimize the impression? Sort of "iron it out"? Dea

This idea works if you want to get rid of some of the little bumps on die cut images - I've tried it with leaves, and it works. I haven't tried it with the intent of getting the ridge around the shape to flatten - must try

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethr1776ad

I have a sort-of related problem. I often want to use a die cut upside down, but the cut edge is raised just enough to bug me. I know, I know, my recipients don't, or won't notice, but even when I press the edge with my bone folder I still see it. I've even used a sanding block.

A little too much OCD!

From one Beth to another, me too (the upside down and the bugging). Then I run it through again without the die and with extra pieces of CS. Depending on the die it's sometimes worked.

[bethr1776ad]

Yes, Beth, I'll try that.

I often want my die cut facing the other direction. I rarely use DP, all solid color cardstock. For example, I want my die cut feather to face the reverse direction, but flipping the die cut over reveals those raised edges. So, I'll try Beth's suggestion. Thanks!

[poppydarling]

Ha I'm in the minority here but this is what I've thought when I noticed that: oh what a nice embossed area around the negative opening that I'm planning on using on my card front, a little accidental accent! I have never worried about it. I'm so not Hallmark LOL

[Kate Stamps]

Whenever there is an impression that I don't like I iron the paper....carefully. Ironing solves loads of problems.