How To Use Sizzix Ink-Its Letterpress Plates!

How To Use Sizzix Ink-Its Letterpress Plate by OMC Designer Whitney

The new Sizzix Ink-its Letterpress dies create artful ink-debossed impressions. And they’re so convenient and fun to use. If you’re a serious crafter—then you probably already have the embossing machine and ink pads.

Supplies Used: 

Sizzix Ink-Its Letterpress Plate
Material to be inked (For best results use medium weight -100 lbs or more.) Regular cardstock, foil paper, felt, foam, and many other materials work too. Craft metal can also be debossed, but using shiny, non-porous materials with ink is not recommended because the ink will not dry. If using regular cardstock and not getting the impression you desire, place a thin piece of craft foam between the cutting pad and your paper.)  
Shim: thin foam pad or felt. Do NOT use a silicone pad, it will ruin it. 
Ink Pad  
Big Shot, Vagabond, Cuttlebug, Epic 6

Instructions:
1. Ink letterpress plate with ink pad.
 
2. Carefully place cardstock on top of letterpress plate and deboss using your Big Shot, BIGkick, Vagabond, or Cuttlebug machine:

Machine & Plates (listed from bottom to top)
Big Shot or BIGkick by Sizzix
MP platform open on tab 1 + Ink-its Letterpress plate + Paper + Shim* + Acrylic mat
Tim Holtz Vagabond
Platform (solo shim) + Ink-its Letterpress plate + Paper + Shim* + Acrylic Mat
Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
A plate + Ink-its Letterpress plate + Paper + Shim* + B plate
 
*Optional: Create a shim out of thin craft foam for a deeper impression.
 
 
3. Remove cardstock and set aside to dry.

4. Clean letterpress plate with water and a paper towel. For tougher cases, use a stamp cleaner.

Examples of projects done with Ink-its:

Formal Invitation
 
Supplies Used:
Sizzix Ink-its Letterpress Plates (Rustic Trellis)
Letterpress Paper  
Ink Pad (VersaColor: Black)
Prima Flower (Carlotta - Winery)
 
Instructions:
Step 1: Print invitation on cardstock and trim to size.
Step 2: Deboss cardstock with ink-its letterpress plate(instructions posted above)
Step 3: Mat invitation and letterpress strip to black cardstock.
Step 4: Apply additional embellishments such as Prima flowers.


Candle Embellishment
 
Supplies Used:
Sizzix: Ink-its Letterpress Plate : ORNATE TRELLIS

Sizzix: Ink-its Letterpress Plate : BOTANICAL VINE

Elizabeth Craft Design : Shimmer Sheetz - GOLD METALLIC

Elizabeth Craft Design : Shimmer Sheetz - RED METALLIC
 
Instructions:
Step 1: Trim shimmer sheets to fit around a candle.
Step 2: Deboss shimmer sheet with ink-its letterpress plate without ink. Since this is a shiny, non-porous material the ink will not dry. Also, use a shim since the sheet is quite thin.

Step 3: Wrap around candle.
Note: Remove before lighting candle.

Foam Flower Card

Supplies Used:
Sizzix Ink-its Letterpress Plate : BUTTERFLIES & FLOWERS
Bazzill Cardstock
Brown Craft Foam
Ribbon

Instructions:
Step 1: Deboss craft foam with ink-its letterpress plate, without ink, and without shim.
Step 2: Trim flowers from design and add gems to center of flower.
Step 3: Mat card with cardstock, adhere foam flowers, and tie bow around the card.

Autumn Box

Supplies Used:
Sizzix Ink-its Letterpress Plate : ELEGANT LOOPS  
Bo Bunny : FOREVER FALL COLLECTION PACK
Tsukineko : VERSAFINE: Crimson Red
Sizzix Bigz Die : FLOWER, 3-D WRAPPED

Instructions:
Step 1: Cover box with patterned paper.
Step 2: Deboss paper with ink-its letterpress plate with maroon ink and a shim (instructions provided above).
Step 3: With the debossed paper, die cut sizzix flowers and assemble.
Step 4: Adhere 3 flowers to the box.


Happy crafting!