Betterpress-ing on Different Types of Cardstock

Hey everyone, this is Martina from @fraupony and I am truly excited to be a guest on the Spellbinders Blog today. Today’s post will be focusing on a very exciting topic when it comes to the brand-new (and amazing!) BetterPress System – the paper!

One of my first questions that came to my mind when I have first seen the BetterPress System was: Do I have to use some special paper?

I have then been looking that question up in the FAQ on the Spellbinders Blog and on the Educational Section on the Spellbinders Website and found this answer:

“Yes, any cardstock will work with the system; however, to get the full letterpress effect – an impression you can see and feel – we recommend cotton cardstock. Spellbinders offers the Cotton Cardstock in two weights, 118 lb. and 220 lb. double weight for a deeper and more luxurious impression”

As soon as I had the Spellbinders BetterPress System on my desk, I immediately had to start a test series. Without reading any further instructions, I have prepared 4 different papers/cardstocks and tested each one with 3, 2 and 1 shims.

But before I share pictures and my insights on the paper question, I’d like to share some other thoughts and insights I had whilst testing:

• The BetterPress System is not complicated to use and I had a lot (!) of fun making my first imprints with it.
• It is very important that the plates are well covered with BetterPress Ink. A scattered coverage with ink is visible in the result.
• It is fabulous that the Platen can be placed on the little magnets on the chase in all directions.
• I really like the fact that you get 3 shims with the system so you can adapt your setup to your machine, paper and personal preferences.
• As we all know from Hot Foiling – not all Die Cut Machines have the same sweet spot. After my short experience with the BetterPress System, I think this is the same here. The pressure of your Die Cutting Machine, the thickness of the paper you use and the amount of shims in the chase sum up and have a direct influence on your results.

But now – let’s have a closer look at the papers:

These are the results with Neenah Solar White 80lb:

The thinnest paper in my test. I was able to get ink transfers with all three settings but there is no debossing effect visible or touchable.

These are the results with Neenah Solar White 110lb:

This paper did surprisingly well. Nice ink transfers with all three settings and with the added shims gradually stronger debossing effects.

These are the results with Canson 300gsm Watercolor Paper:

Very similar results like the 110gsm Neenah Solar white.

These are the results with Spellbinders Better Press Cotton Card Bisque:

The specialty paper gives the most beautiful transfers and the best debossing effects. The results look and feel very elegant and high-value. A straight 10/10!

To sum things up:

I think it’s totally worth giving your favorite papers a try with the BetterPress System! Particularly papers around 110lb / 300gsm can work very well with the BetterPress System. But if you want to create something special, something that looks and feels very luxurious – I highly recommend the Spellbinders BetterPress Cotton Specialty Paper!

Cardmaking fun!

As I now have many “you make me happy” card bases, I have been thinking that some cardmaking samples would be a good finish for this blog post.

Distress Ink smooshed onto a Spellbinders Cotton Card Bisque (2 Shims) card base, decorations are “Pink Opalescent” Spellbinders Color Sequins.

A nice little “Be Bold Blooms” flower on a Neenah Solar White 110lb (3 Shims)

Distress Ink Stamped with a stamp from the Reading Matter Clear Stamps, stamp has been sprayed with water before stamping.

Conclusion

I hope you could get some insight from my little paper trials with the new, fabulous Spellbinders BetterPress System!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

With love,

Martina

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