How to Make Parchment Cards
Parchment cards look difficult to make, but the technique is quite easy. Parchment is easy to work with since you can see through it when tracing your designs on it. Because of the way it stretches and its translucency changes when pressure is applied, it can create a striking embossed effect, making for a clean and elegant looking card. Homemade parchment cards require few supplies, and since embossing parchment doesn't require heat, it is one of the easiest ways to create a raised edge effect.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Card stock
- Scissors
- Parchment
- Image
- White craft pencil
- Craft foam
- Stylus
- Glue stick or adhesive
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose a piece of card stock in a color that you like. Card stock is necessary to give the card stability, and you can also use it to add a splash of color if you desire. The color of the card stock will be lighter once the parchment is affixed to it.
-
2
Cut and fold the card stock to create a card base in the size that you desire. Cut a piece of parchment to the size of the front of the card. If you prefer, you can cut it slightly smaller, so when you glue it to the center of the cover, the card stock base will create a border around it.
-
-
3
Select an image that you would like to transfer to your parchment. Select something with strong lines that can be easily traced. The more detailed the image, the more tedious it will be to transfer it. While a detailed image can produce stunning results, newcomers to the craft may wish to begin with simple images or words.
-
4
Lay your parchment over the image. Transfer the design by tracing it lightly with a white craft pencil.
-
5
Lay your parchment on a piece of craft foam. Use a stylus to trace over the pencil lines. Use moderate pressure, adjusting the pressure you apply as necessary to make the embossed lines as dark or light as you like. The more pressure, the stronger and whiter the line.
-
6
Color in some areas of the design, if desired, by rubbing over them with the stylus to fill in the entire area with white.
-
7
Affix the parchment to the front of the card with a glue stick or other clear-drying adhesive.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you have never embossed on parchment before, practice on a scrap piece to get accustomed to the amount of pressure you need to apply to get the desired effects and avoid ripping the paper.
If the stylus is not moving smoothly over the parchment, rub it on wax paper between strokes.
To give it a more detailed look, cut some areas of the design out with a craft knife, or cut around the entire design itself using a pair of scissors before affixing it to the card.
