How to Die Cut Print
Die cut printing is a striking way to make unique die cuts using digital photographs, stock images or simple shapes and patterns. What’s great about die cut printing is that you cannot only make unique die cuts to use in your craft projects, but you can create an easy image project by simply clicking print. Die cut prints can be used in many projects from decorating scrapbooks and creating homemade cards to decorating paper dolls and making game pieces. Here’s how to make die cut prints for use in your many craft projects.
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Things You'll Need
- Digital photos
- Die cut shapes, characters and letters
- Repositionable glue stick
- Printer paper
- Card stock
- Photo paper
- Ink jet printer
- Color ink
- Black ink
Instructions
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Choose an image. With today's computer technology, you can choose just about any image to be printed. Find an image online or use your own images or photography. Consider the project you are making and download or find photos, images or designs that fit the project.
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Glue the die cuts onto the printer paper. Using a repositional glue stick, glue the die cuts onto a piece of printer paper, card stock or photo paper, according to preference. You do not have to use photo paper when creating die cuts using digital images on your computer, though it is recommended that you use card stock for sturdier characters, especially for those you’ll be using in scrapbooks.
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Secure the glued die cuts. Using your fingers, go over the edges of the die cuts, to make sure they are securely in place and completely smooth against the printer paper. Loose edges can get caught in the printer, causing it to jam.
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Print your image. Carefully guide the prepared paper into the printer and print. It is best to print pages singly when working with die cuts and repositional glue rather than stacking them into the automatic feeder of your printer.
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Allow the image to dry. Once the page has printed, allow the image to sit and dry for about 2 minutes before removing the die cuts.
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Remove the die cuts. Gently remove the die cuts from the paper. Repositional glue was created to be able to stick and remove things while doing craft projects, but you need to be careful, especially with small die cuts and letters, that you don’t rip the characters. Set the die cuts, glue side up to dry. Repositional glue dries quickly and doesn’t usually restick without another application, but set them glue side up just to be safe.
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Store the die cuts. Once the glue has dried completely, you may store the die cuts with your other crafts for use in later projects.
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Use the die cuts. If you are using the die cuts immediately, there is no need to let the repositional glue dry. You should, however, use a craft glue that is fitting for the project (like a photo tab dispenser for scrapbooking or cardmaking) before placing the die cut in its permanent position.
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Create projects using the positive/negative images left after the die cuts have been printed. While creating the die cut prints is a great way to finish a unique project, you may also create a project using the positive/negative image that remains on the printed paper once you’ve removed the die cuts. A good example of this is to find a photo of balloons. On a piece of photo paper, use die cut letters to arrange the words “Happy Birthday.” Print the balloon photo on your prepared “Happy Birthday” paper. When you remove the die cuts, a white “Happy Birthday” will show up on a colorful balloon background. Use characters or letters and arrange according to preference.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that the dies cuts are securely glued and flattened, so that they do not jam the printer by sticking to the rollers.
Save the scraps and leftovers for use in other projects.
