Tips and Tricks
• Pre-cut your paper to size to help reduce waste.
• To make sure the ink is applied only to the letterpress plate and
not the die, use a piece of scrap paper to die-cut a shape. Then
discard the die-cut shape and use the leftover paper as a mask
to protect the die during inking.
• Hold the letterpress plate down with one finger while inking to
help keep the image steady.
• Fabric-topped ink pads apply ink better than sponge-topped
ink pads.
• Blotting your ink pad applies the ink more evenly and accurately
than wiping it across the plates. Also, inking in small steps
around the edge, from one side to the other provides a more
effective and neater application of the ink.
• Blotting with a larger ink pad provides improved stability
for more even ink application. It also helps prevent inking
unwanted areas.
• Wipe off any excess or unwanted ink with a damp paper towel
or cotton swab. This will help prevent ink from getting into
unwanted spaces when you letterpress.
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• When using the border letterpress plates, please note that they
only fit one way in the die.
• For a deeper impression, add a sheet of printer paper
underneath the rubber mat.
• Printed names on all plates should always face up.
• To clean design plates, use stamp cleaner or mild soap
and water.
• Steel-rule dies will cut through the design plate if not
properly aligned.
• 80-lb. cardstock is recommended for achieving the best results.
• When the rubber mat needs to be replaced, simply peel off the
old mat and any leftover adhesive. Be careful not to damage the
plate if you use a tool to remove the mat. When applying a new
rubber mat, make sure there are no bubbles between the new
mat and the cutting plate.