Partial Die Cutting

Die Cutting Basics

Die cutting is a technique that has been used for years to create amazing embellishments and designs to create greeting cards and other papercrafts.

The technique uses metal dies to cut shapes and designs into paper. A die cut machine is used to create these de into die cuts and designs. The metal die is "sandwiched " between plates and paper. Then the whole sandwich is run thorough the die cut machine. The die cut machine presses the die into the paper to make the cut.

Dies can be shapes, words and designs. They vary from thumb nail sized dies to very large ones.

The die cut machine can either be a manual or an electronic machine. The manual machine usually has a handle that is turned to push the sandwich through the machine. The size of the machine may vary. The larger machines can cut multiple dies at once.

Partial Die Cut Card Front

What Is Partial Die Cutting?

If you have ever cut a die, then you know that you need to use a die cutting machine as well as a sandwich to cut your die.

A die is a metal piece that cuts through paper and other materials using pressure to force the die through the material.

The pressure is created with plates and shims that are stacked together to create that pressure along with the die cut machine.

Partial die cutting is a different technique that allows you to partially cut a design to create something new and different. Now the partial die cutting technique involves the same type of die cutting process and “sandwich” creation. The only difference is that when we apply the top cutting plate, will be leaving a section of the die exposed. Meaning that the top cutting plate will cover only part of the die…the part that we want to cut out. The other part of the die that is exposed (the part that is not covered by the top clear-cutting plate) will not be cut out.

Tools And Supplies For Partial Die Cutting

You really do not need too many tools or supplies to do the partial die cutting technique. Many of them you more than likely have in your craft space.

Die Cutting Machine

More than likely if you have been paper crafting, you have a die cutting machine. You should have a few die cutting basics before you get started. You can use either a manual or an electronic die cutting machines for these projects.

You will hear a lot about sandwiches if you start die cutting. A sandwich is simply the stack of plates, paper and dies or embossing folders) to get the best results from your die cutting machine. The manufacturer of your machine has offered suggestions based on the machine that you are using. While there are times that you may need to adjust plates, for the most part the guidelines are accurate.

The most important tip for you to do id to save the booklet that came with your machine. It is a guide to help you set up your sandwich to get the best results.

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Over a period of time, when you die cut, the plates of your sandwich will wear out and get etched. This is normal wear. But you can extend the use of your plates with these tips:

• Use the whole surface of the plate. Do not us the same place every time.
• Turn the plate upside down and backward so there is even wear.
• Use a product called Magic mat to replace one of your plates.
• Cut into the valley side to relieve pressure caused by cupping.

Dies

Of course, you will need dies to get your projects going. Dies are shaped metal with a sharp raised edge that when pressed will cut and or impress into your paper.

Look at the dies that you have in your stash to get some new inspiration. You can use dies like flower dies, shape dies, word dies, edge dies and a lot more. When you are purchasing dies, think about the die you are considering and how it could be used in multiple ways.

Cardstock

Typically, many people use white cardstock against a solid or patterned paper background. But there is no set rule for your die cuts.

Seasonal colors work well together. Think of browns and oranges for the fall. Winter would be reds and greens. Spring would be pastel colors and summer would be bright summer colors.

Weddings would be in the colors of the theme for the wedding. Baby cards could be blue, pink or yellow.

Whatever colors you decide to use, make sure that you use a good quality cardstock to get the best results. I like to use 80-110 lb. cardstock on my die cuts. You may not get a good crisp die cut with anything less.

Craft Knife

You might need a craft knife to cut away sections So that you die cut stands out. You will want a knife with a good sharp blade that will cut away pieces on the first cut.

Pencil And Ruler

These are used to draw and cut edges to fit on your card.

Poke It Tool

This is a sharp ended tool that helps get all those little pieces from your die cuts.

Paper Timmer

Used to cut paper panels.

There are a few odds and ends that you may want to add to the mix, but these are the basics.

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Partial Die Cutting Technique

It is not as difficult as you may think to create a lovely design with partial die cutting. This technique involves a stamped image like a flower or any other image where you also have the die for that image.

Supplies

• White cardstock at least 80 lbs.
• Printed or patterned cardstock
• Stamp with matching die
• Black dye ink pad
• Watercolor pencils
• Blender pen
• Scoring tool or ruler and bonefolder
• Foam layering dots or squares
• Die cutting machine

1. Cut a piece of white cardstock cut at 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches
2. Score the 8-1/2-inch side at 4-1/4 inches to create the base of your card
3. Stamp the image directly in the center of the card using black ink
4. Color the image with the watercolor pencils. (Note if you use alcohol markers, you will get bleeding through the back of the card
5. Use a blender pen to pull the color across the image
6. Lay the piece of white cardstock with the image on the first cutting plate.
7. Place the coordinating die cut over the image and secure it with a bit of washi tape or other low tack tape
8. Lay the second cutting plate over the top of the die cut so part of the flower is not covered by that top plate.
9. Use the die to cut off the part of the image that is closest to the edge of the card. The remainder of the flower will not be cut.
10. Once you have the top plate positioned where you want it, run it through the embossing machine
11. Lay the card in your paper trimmer and line up the groove of your trimmer to where the die cutting ended. Cut from the top of the card front to the cut made by the die. Repeat the cutting on the bottom of the flower. Remove the excess piece and you now have a partially die cut image
12. Cut a 1 x 5-1/2-inch piece of patterned paper and adhere it on the inside of the card, slightly behind the card front edge, so that is visible when the card front is closed.
13. Add any pearls or other embellishment to your cards.

Tips:

• If you have difficulty with the cut, you may have to add a shim depending on the type of die cutting machine you are using.

Partial Die Cut Circular Card Base

Have you ever created a circular card base. This is so easy using a larger circular die cut from a set or nesting die cuts. You will wonder why you have not done this before once you get the technique down.

Supplies

• Cardstock in white or any color (80 lbs. or more)
• Large Circular die (in the size you would like your base to be)
• Additional circular die cuts to create layers (optional)
• Embellishments
• Sentiments
• Score board and bone folder
• Double sided tape (to add layers)
• Foam tape, foam dots, or tacky glue to add embellishments
• Die cut machine and accessories

1. Cut a piece of cardstock larger than the circular die that you plan to use. measure the width of the die and add at least two inches to each side
2. Score the paper at the one-half measurement.
3. Fold the paper and use the bone folder to get a good crease.
4. Place the die on the paper folded to make sure that you have enough room for the die cut.
5. Create the die cut sandwich following the manufacturer's directions. The die needs to be placed with one section of the die slightly off the edge of the folded side of the card base (this is where the connection for the card will be). You may want to add some low tack tape to hold the die in place.
6. Cut the die once the sandwich has been created. You may want to run the sandwich through the die cutting machine several times to get a crisp cut.
7. If you want to, you can die cut additional layers of cardstock for your card using the available die cuts in your nesting die set.
8. Add any layers you have created. You may have to trim one side of your layer to fit the card base.
9. Embellish your card and add a sentiment

Tips

• Printed cardstock adds a colorful addition to your design
• You can also stamp your circular card base
• Try using plain and three D embossing folders
• You can make this card a top fold or a side fold card

Partial Die Cutting- Simple Circle Die Cut Technique

Creating different shaped card bases creates a more custom card. It gives you new options for you card designs. Partial die cutting opens up your designs to new ideas.

Supplies

• White or colored cardstock-80lbs-110lbs
• Score board or a ruler and a pencil.
• Large circle die cut

1. Using a piece of white or colored cardstock, score the cardstock and fold in half. If you do not have a scoreboard, use a pencil and a ruler to measure and fold the piece in half.
2. Now you are going to die cut the shape. Set up your die cutting machine. Place the folded cardstock with the fold closest to you. The die will be slightly over the fold to retain part of the fold.
3. Create the sandwich following the manufacturer's instructions for die cutting. Remember that the round die needs to be overlapping the fold.
4. Run that through your die cutting machine. You will have a circular card with a slight straight edge where the fold is.

Partial Die Cutting-Card Borders

Instead of just a flat edged card, you can add a lot of dimensions to your designs by adding a card edge to your greeting cards. Partial die cutting options a host of new options to edging cards with a custom design.

Supplies

• White or colored cardstock 80lbs-110lbs for card base
• Single piece of cardstock measured to the same size as the card base
• Ruler and a pencil
• Scoreboard
• Bone folder
• Cutting board
• Poke it tool or a craft knife.

1. Cut the card base to the size desired. Use the scoreboard or a pencil and a ruler to create the fold halfway on the card. Fold the card. Use a bone folder or the ruler to make a crisp fold. Set aside.
2. On the front of the single piece of cardstock, draw a line where you want to die cut edge to be. Make it a very light line with the pencil.
3. Set up your die cutting machine.
4. Lay your cardstock base on the two bottom plates. The pencil line needs to be at the edge of your bottom two plates. Tape them down with some washi tape or any other low tack tape that you have.
5. Lay the die on the paper where you want the cut to be. Tape the die down with some low tack tape.
6. Continue creating your sandwich following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the project through you die cutting machine.
7. Run the project through your die cutting machine. You may have to run it through several times, depending on the size of your die.
8. Remove any parts that did not cut with a poke it tool.
9. Flip the cardstock over and remove any leftover pieces.
10. Erase the pencil line.
11. You can use some fun foam cut to fit the single card piece if desired.
12. Or just mount the edge of your partial doe cut piece to the card base that is cut slightly larger than the card base.
13. The decorative edge should be place away from the opening.
14. Add a sentiment

More Partial Die Cutting ideas

• Partial Die Cutting Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers
  Tutorial to show you how to create a partial die cutting technique

Partially Die Cuts-Word On Top Of A Card

The technique requires individual letter and number dies, so it’s worth keeping this in mind if you’re thinking of buying a new set. Many die sets also only have one letter of each, so when you cut a word such as ‘Happy’ leave a space for the ‘p’, run it through the die-cutter, then place the missing letter on its own and die cut it.

1. Draw a line with a pencil across colored card where you would like the word to sit. Place the alphabet dies on the line, holding them in place with washi tape.
2. Position the card on the clear perspex die-cutting sheet, then place another on top, lining up the edge of the sheet with the dies just before the pencil line. Run this through the die-cutter to partially cut the words.
3. Carefully remove the perspex sheets, washi tape and dies. Using a craft knife, cut along the pencil line and in between the uncut parts of each letter to release the surrounding card leaving the word as part of the main section of card.
4. Die cut more words from coordinating colored card in the same way. Starting with the bottom panel, layer each die-cut panel to a card blank. Use 3D foam pads to add dimension. Die cut flowers from colored card, then adhere to the greeting.

More Partially Die Cut Word Ideas

• Stunning partial die cut Hello card, plus another tip for personalising embellishments. - YouTube
  Hi Everyone Bee here, today I have a tutorial on a technique called partial die cutting. You can create some stunning cards with this technique. I also have ...
• Creating Floating Partial Die Cut Words with Normal Dies - YouTube
  Hi all, come and share your creations and ideas in our Facebook group! We welcome all crafty or creative minds!https://www.facebook.com/groups/32941702778082...

Partially Die Cut Windows

• Die-cut several ovals from the same die you will create the window from – experiment with how many pieces of cardstock your machine will take.
• Adhere all the pieces together so they stack neatly on top of one another. This will create a raised surface that the borer dies will cut from
• Place the layered oval on the reverse of the white sentiment panel and secure in place using Washi tape.
• Turn the panel back over, add the border die so it fits inside the oval and secure using Washi tape. Run through the die-cutting machine using the embossing folder platform.
• Secure the same oval die over the die-cut houses and run it partially through the die-cutting machine on the standard cutting platform.
• Ensure to only run through the top area above the houses as shown. Remove the cut-out die-cut pieces..

Partial Die Cutting -Off Of The Top

This is a great way to combine different dies to get cuts on the top of your card.

Supplies

• White cardstock (at least 90-110 lbs)
• Colored or printed cardstock
• Dies-the number you need depends on your card size.
• Die cut machine and plates.
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Craft knife
• Doubled sided tape
• Foam Tape
• Embellishments
• Sentiments

1. Create a card base using a scoreboard and a bone folder. The base you want to create opens at the bottom and your fold is at the top.
2. Select the dies that you want to use.
3. Lay them on top of the card base slightly overlapping the top of the card.
4. Measure the total length of the card base including the dies.
5. Cut a panel of white cardstock that measures the length of the card as you measured and the width of the card base.
6. Draw a straight line with the pencil to mark where the top of your card base is.
7. Place the dies lined slightly overlapping the line up as you wish and secure them with washi tape or any other low tack tape.
8. Run them through your die cut machine following the manufacturer's instructions for the sandwich and the machines use. You want to die cut only to the pencil mark and no more.
9. Use a craft knife to cut along the pencil mark being very careful not to cut into the die cut itself. You can use a steel ruler to help guide you.
10. Mount the panel to the card base with some double-sided tape.
11. Use the dies that you selected to cut the same shapes in colored or printed cardstock. Using double sided tape or foam tape, mount the die cuts over the dies on the panel.
12. Decorate or add embellishments as desired.
13. Add a sentiment to the card.

More Partially Die Cut Window Ideas

• Pollypurplehorse is crafty: Double Partial Die Cutting Technique - step by step
  
• Partial Die Cut Window Card - Right as Rain
  Today, I'm sharing a window card, based on one shown by Jennifer McGuire in the Online Card Classes Holiday Card Workshop 2014, that uses partial die cutting. My take on Jennifer's card features the deer from the Lawn Fawn Party Animals set: I stampe

Common Die Cutting Problems

If you are die cutting, there are times when you may run into a few problems with your designs.

• Dies Can break! - It does not happen often, but it does happen. It can happen if the die is poorly made. But I have to say that I have not run into that problem. The problem that you are more likely to run into is not following the manufacturer's instructions on making the sandwich correctly. If you over stack the cutting plates, you are taking a chance that the die will snap. You can also create damage to your die cutting machine. Always follow the directions for using your die cutting machine.
• Make sure to clean your die cuts after each use. Why is this important? When you use the die cuts that don't release all of the small paper scraps, these scraps can stack up and can eventually cause the blade to separate from the wood by pushing them apart. This will ruin your die cuts. So, remember to clean your die cuts after each use.
• Worn cutting plates. Over a period of time, cutting plates may become etched, worn and not as flat as you need them to be. When you have worn or damaged cutting plates, you may not get the best die cuts. Either do maintenance on your plates or replace them. Make sure as you use them to rotate your plates. If you die cut in the same area, that portion of the plate will wear out quickly.

More Die Cut Problems And Solutions

• Do you hate cutting intricate dies? – The Frugal Crafter Blog
  Hi friends! The other day I was wandering through a big box craft store and saw a die cutting accessories that piqued my interest. It claimed that it would help intricate dies cut cleanly. I decided to give it a try because it if solved the issue tha

Final Thoughts On Partial Die Cutting

Partial die cutting extends the use of your dies to create custom greeting cards. All you need is a shape or nested die and a die cutting machine. There are plenty of choices for you to create an infinite number of different cards.

We will be sharing more partial die cutting projects to help you grow in this technique.

It is an easy technique that anyone at any level can do. I encourage you to give it a try. You will be glad that you did.

© 2023 Linda F Correa