Reverse Stencilling with Nestabilities

You can get this nice crisp inked border on the embossed edge of your nestability die using an easy reverse stencilling technique.

Here are some photos of the reverse stencilling technique for Nestability dies.  

You need to use a pigment or chalk ink for the reverse stencilling part of this technique because these inks have a longer open time than die inks.  If you want to use a stamped image in the middle of your die, it’s easiest to stamp that image (using any ink- I used Versafine for this example) before you do the reverse stencilling technique.  My stamped image is a sentiment from Hero Arts.

Choose the pigment or chalk ink that you want for the edge of your die, and dab it all over the die.  The thicker the coat of ink, the deeper and more even coverage you will get.   Be careful- the edges of the die are sharp!

When the die is completely and evenly covered with ink, you are ready to place it on the paper for cutting.

You might want to cover your base plate with a piece of paper (thin paper, not heavy cardstock as it will effect your sandwich if it’s too think).  This will protect your baseplate from getting ink on it, which may come off onto future projects.

Position the die face down onto the paper you plan to cut.  Try not to move it around too much, as you might get ink onto the centre part of the die-cut.  Secure the die with a piece of tape.

Here is what it looks like before it goes through the die cut machine.

Place the die, cutting edge up (stamped image face down) onto your baseplate or whatever goes on the bottom of the sandwich for the machine you’re using.

Place the top plates for your cutting sandwich and put the whole thing through your cutting machine.

Remove the cutting sandwich from the machine and remove your cut image from the rest of the paper, leaving the die cut inside the nestability die.  Assemble the embossing sandwich for your cutting machine.

As you take the embossing sandwich apart, be sure to clean the embossing pad or it will leave marks that might transfer onto future projects.

I added a scalloped dark pink nestability die-cut behind the oval and a punched butterfly, and this 

hand made embellishment is ready for a card!