This project is the first one I’ve done using the Spellbinder’s BetterPress Letterpress System. This product uses inked metal plates to impress an image into thick cardstock; essentially it debosses the image. The result makes your card look as if it were fine stationery. The process and tools are very easy to use and I’ve had excellent results with every project I’ve tried with it.

Basically, the product has two parts to it: a chase and a platen, which is seen in the image below. The chase is a magnetic platform where you will place your metal plates. It has vertical and horizontal markings to help with alignment. The platen is a clear cover with registration marks for A2 and A7 sizes, onto which you attach the cardstock. There are four magnets on the four corners of the platen, which align with four magnets on the chase to hold it in place. The system is designed to be used with a Spellbinder’s die cutting machine such as the Platinum 6, which is what I used to create this project.

I started my project by creating a non-standard sized cardbase out of 8.5″ x 11″ mahogany color essentials cardstock. I first scored it at 5.5″ to create an 8.5″ x 5.5″ card. I then trimmed it with my paper trimmer on the 5.5″ short side to 4.5″ and on the 8.5″ long side to 5.75″. In the end I had card that measured 4.5″ x 5.75″ which you can see below.

Next, I will align my metal plates on my chase and adhere the cotton cardstock to the platen. I used the Copperplate Everyday Sentiments Hello and the flower plate that came with the BetterPress. Before running it through my die cutting machine, I have to ink up the metal plates. I chose to use the Clay, Azalea, and Leaf ink colors. The Clay is for the word, “Hello”. The Azalea for the flowers, and the Leaf for the leaves of course.

The result for the top half of the card can be seen below. I hope you can see the beautiful inlaid impression that the Spellbinder’s BetterPress System makes on the card. It is just so gorgeous!

To finish the card panel, all you have to do is remove the word Hello and then ink up the flower plate again with the same color inks. Leave the card panel on the platen, but rotate it around so the bottom of the card is now the top of the card. Run it through the die cutting machine one more time and you will have a finished card panel.

The next thing we need to do is use the Spellbinder’s Essential Diamond Etched Dies to cut out the word Hello. I used the second largest die.

Don’t put your dies away yet. You’ll need to cut two more diamonds, but this time you’ll cut them from the Spellbinders Mahogony Color Essentials cardstock.

You’ll layer the two diamonds behind the “Hello” diamond and stager then so the top sticks out at the top about 1/4″ and the bottom sticks out at the bottom about 1/4″. This will leave a blank part on the right and left points of the diamond. Don’t adhere the diamond to the card front yet.

I am going to fill those blank spots in with gold mirrored cardstock. Simply cut another diamond out of the gold mirrored cardstock and then cut it in half with a trimmer. Layer the two pieced on top of each other and snip off the corner to create two mini triangles.

Align them on the right and left points of the diamond. Then add glue to the back of the diamond panel. You may notice the white on the back of the diamond panel. That is extra cardstock I adhered to it so it would stand out. You could also use foam tape or fun foam to pop up this element, or leave it out all together.

Once the glue is applied, turn the diamond over and put something heavy on it to let it dry. This is what it will look like. Can you see the gold corners on the left and right?

I decided to add some fashion oysters in two different sizes to draw the eye. Here is a look at the finished product. I made a second card in the same way using different colors of ink: mulberry and coastal.

Below are my affiliate links for the products I used to make these cards.

BetterPress Letterpress System by Spellbinder’s:  https://shrsl.com/4g7p6

Spellbinder’s Copperplate Everyday Sentiments:  https://shrsl.com/4g7q6

Spellbinders Mahogany Color Essentials Cardstock 8.5 x 11” – 10 Pack:  https://shrsl.com/4g7p9

Spellbinder’s BetterPress Mini Ink Sets and Reinkers:  https://shrsl.com/4g7pb

Spellbinder’s BetterPress Cotton Card Panels:  https://shrsl.com/4g7pc

Spellbinder’s Essential Diamond Etched Dies:  https://shrsl.com/4g7pe

Spellbinder’s Mirror Gold Cardstock 8 1/2″ x 11 – 10 Pack:  https://shrsl.com/4g7qi

Spellbinder’s Fashion Oyster Color Essentials Pearl Dots:  https://shrsl.com/4g7pf