OK to die cut after embossing?

[jnsyr]

I'm planning my Christmas card design (I know it's early, but if I wait, chances are I won't get my cards finished in time--that was last year's story).

I plan to die cut a star for each card, and I'm heat embossing the star first with glow-in-the-dark powder, then again with a sparkly powder.

It would be a LOT faster if I could emboss a quarter sheet of cardstock, then die cut the star shapes from the embossed paper.

Has anyone tried it? I'm wondering if it's doable, or if it causes problems (embossing flaking off, die cut jagged, or some such).

Thanks for any help you can give!

[JBgreendawn]

depends on the paper and the powder. I have done it and I have seen it flake a little.

but, depending on the design, if you are ok with a little shabby chic then why not save the time?


the only real way you will know if you can live with the results is to try it both ways and see if it really makes a difference?

[Cook22]

I'd agree with Stacy, try it on a quarter sheet and see. I recently die-cut vellum after embossing and the entire embossed sentiment just fell off the vellum :-(. I wouldn't expect it to happen with card, but I wasn't expecting it with the vellum either. Even if that doesn't happen with the card, I suspect that if you're passing it through the Big Shot several times, it might start flaking off on subsequent passes...but you could get around that by cutting your sheet up into bits the right size for the star die, so that each piece was only going through the machine once.

[TeeGeeDee]

Depending on the pattern of the embossing folder, you might be able to place multiple die-cut stars in the folder before running it through your machine. You could make a "loop" of low-tack/washi tape for the back of the stars to keep them in place.

HTH!

[shazsilverwolf]

If it does start to lift, you can always give it a hit with a heat gun to remelt, that should work ok. I've done it on vellum before now, and it worked fine.

[wavejumper]

I like that idea. I hope it works out.

I agree. Just from regular use of EP, I think it depends on the powder and the paper and number of passes. You just need to do a test drive. Like Shaz said you can reheat it or touch it up with a tap on the versamark pad and powder dip if it flakes
I dont even know if it would be better to let the powder really cool down before cutting. It might be more flexible and chip less if still warm? On the other hand it might stick to your die too then.

[bjeans]

Janis, I’ve done it with with one layer of fine embossing powder and it was fine (no pun intended). Double and triple coverage or with a chunkier powder didn’t work as well.

It may vary depending on the die cut machine and paper - because of different pressure and paper thicknesses - so when you test, you may want to use the same paper you’d use for your cards.

With my current machine pressure seems even no matter where die placement is (Gemini Junior). With my manual machine pressure varied, so even that might make a difference.
I hope you post the results of your testing.

[jnsyr]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'm just going to play it safe and die cut first.

After much deliberation and testing of the glow-in-the-dark feature (running back & forth from craft room to my bedroom closet), I've decided to use some of my long-retired SU Barely Banana cardstock (I'm a hoarder!) & I don't want to waste it. It gave me just the right pale yellowness & bright glow...

Thank you, thank you for all of your suggestions. I will definitely try it in the future!