HELP Please..Problems with Faux Embossed Wallets ??

[JoAnney]

Hi All...I've been making a couple of the faux wallets and LOVE making them except the last couple I've made..when you fold them up to form the sides and flap...the cardstock CRACKS!!

I've tried different embossing folders thinking maybe it was the design..my last one was houndstooth CB folder. I even tried breaking the fibers of the CS (S-Up) vertically and horizontally but didn't matter..same result. I only embossed the paper ONE time, thinking maybe if it were embossed too heavily, it was that causing it to crack...

I'm SO frustrated cuz I've had people ask to me them one, but I can't give them away all cracked. :(

I used the BLACK S-UP cardstock and where it cracked, I added some versarmark and embossing powder across the cracked areas, and when I reheated it, it took away the shiny look and left nasty white spots...looked horrible??!!

Would appreciate ANY help/suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong. I realize it is paper, and paper cracks, but just curious if others have had this problem, and maybe it's NOT something I'm doing wrong..dunno??

Take care all...hoping to hear back from someone....Cya...Jo

[cat_woman]

You could try spritzing the cardstock with water before embossing. That should soften up the fibers a little so they're more flexible. I find that SU cardstock is really stiff so it cracks a lot when its embossed dry.

[mamahowe]

If you spritz with alcohol, it also works and it evaporates more quickly than water....... I keep a small spritz bottle with the alcohol for just this purpose.............hope this helps

Estelle

[JoAnney]

So, BEFORE ??!! I use the versamark, spritz the cardstock with water/alcohol?? Is it possible that using the other side of the cardstock MIGHT?? help...meaning is there a right and wrong side to it causing it to crack easier also?

[cat_woman]

You would spritz with water (or alcohol) before you run it though with your embossing folder. You would do whatever techniques after the paper has dried.

[JoAnney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

You would spritz with water (or alcohol) before you run it though with your embossing folder. You would do whatever techniques after the paper has dried.

Gotcha!! THANKS for the suggestion...I will try that and see if it makes any difference when folding the sides up and flap over to form the purse...NO CRACKING allowed...hahahaha...:p If it still cracks, than I'm going to try another cardstock brand I think...

Have a Blessed Easter.

[cat_woman]

Scoring your fold line before you fold it will also prevent the paper from cracking (if that's what is happening). Remember to make the mountain fold on the side you made your score on.

[cpw3431]

How about if you tried to score the folds before embossing?

Might be worth a try if you haven't already.

[cpw3431]

By the way I think two different things are being talked about but not sure.

When the OP mentions embossing with different folders I get that. But then she mentions embossing powder after the crack happens.

So I am thinking that what she means is that the embossing powder is cracking once she tries to fold it not necessarily the cardstock.

[JoAnney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpw3431

By the way I think two different things are being talked about but not sure.

When the OP mentions embossing with different folders I get that. But then she mentions embossing powder after the crack happens.

So I am thinking that what she means is that the embossing powder is cracking once she tries to fold it not necessarily the cardstock.

You are correct...what I was "trying" to explain is exactly that...probably IS the embossing powder that is actually producing the cracking wherever I end up folding it...but don't understand why it would do that?? I tried to "fix" the cracks by using Versamark and (more) embossing powder over the cracks hoping I guess it would melt ? into the cracks...hiding them I guess? Hard to explain, but I am going to try scoring the cardstock and also misting the cardstock before running through my Cuttlebug as others have suggested here to see if that helps...

[cpw3431]

What if you went ahead and made the folds, like just start the bend, maybe not as crisp as you would for the finished piece, then use the embossing powder.

Maybe that way it is already a little flexible and might be a little more forgiving(not crack).

[cat_woman]

I just checked out the tutorial for these faux leather wallets. They're not actually placing hard folds in the embossed paper, but sort of "rolling" the paper over. That might be what the problem is because once the embossing cools it becomes brittle. You may want to heat the wallet up a little before "folding" it into shape to soften up the embossing enamel a little so it won't crack. I don't think these wallets will withstand usage without cracking. They look nice, but unless you can find some sort of flexible coating, they're going to crack.

[JoAnney]

Thanks ALL !! for your suggestions...I did try to "gently" fold the top down (flap) and you could almost see it "wanting" to start cracking..(if that makes any sense ?) and I even ran the heat gun over it slightly hoping that would give kind of a bend to it ?? but once is was folded down enough to form the wallet/purse and stay closed...it cracked?

Most likely it is just ME having problems...hahahaha...I'll keep working at it though...

Appreciate all your responses..as always I know I can come to SCS for help. Have a Blessed Easter Sunday and take care....

[JoAnney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

Scoring your fold line before you fold it will also prevent the paper from cracking (if that's what is happening). Remember to make the mountain fold on the side you made your score on.

" Remember to make the mountain fold on the side you made your score on "..

Does this mean that you fold the paper BACKWARDS on the score line you made? I've seen people fold cardstock both ways, but I believe the correct way is to fold the score line (or crease as I call it) the opposite way back...meaning you don't just score it, and fold it up "as is"...am I explaining it right??? haha

Is there a right and/or wrong side to cardstock does anyone know??

Thanks CatWoman!!

[cpw3431]

I think there can be a right and wrong side to card stock sometimes. But how you tell I have no idea!

---v--- If this is the cardstock with the score in the middle(the v in this case) you would fold down the two sides. At least this is the way I have learned to do it properly where I work (printing company).