How to Make Brass Stencils for Embossed Cards

Use brass to emboss your greeting cards.

Brass stencils are a creative way to spice up your greeting cards. You can also use them to create personalized gift cards and decorate your storage boxes. Making brass stencils for embossed cards might seem tricky, but it is really about having a good design, a steady hand and patience. Brass stencils allow you to add a three-dimensional depth to your work, stylize your surfaces and add texture. Once you have carefully cut your brass stencil, it can be re-used again and again to decorate and personalize all of your gifts.

Things You'll Need

• Thin 1/5-inch A4 brass sheet
• Stencil design
• Craft tape
• Craft knife
• A4 Cardstock paper
• Embossing paint
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Place a cutting board on a flat surface underneath your brass sheet to avoid marking the work surface. Take the image or design that you intend to stencil and place it firmly on top of the brass sheet. Use craft tape to stick the corners of your stencil design to the brass sheet.

2. Pick up a craft knife and, following the silhouette of your design, slowly cut around the shapes. Press the knife firmly into the design so that it cuts through the brass and into the cutting board. Apply a consistent pressure when cutting out the shapes to create smooth, even lines.

3. Carefully unstick the stencil design from the brass sheet. Hold the brass sheet up against a window to ensure the pattern has been replicated well.

4. Place the brass stencil on top of the card stock paper and secure it with craft tape. Paint over the stencil with embossing paints. Once you have painted across your stencil, leave the project to dry. Once dry, add another layer of paint to create an even more embossed texture. Leave to dry again.

5. Carefully lift off your brass stencil and wipe it clean with a cloth so you can use it again. Outline and add any last details to your embossed card.

Tips & Warnings

• Use different colors and materials when working with your brass stencil. This will add different textures and patterns.

• Be careful when using a craft knife.

References

• Dreamweaver Stencils: Techniques
• Making Greeting Cards: Making Cards with Stencils

Resources

• Plaid