Paper Crafting Tools and Techniques

Paper crafting covers a wide range of fun and easycleaning pad to clean the detailed areas of a stamp
projects for home and other gift functions. It is a hobbyafter use.
needing a lot of creativity and some skills toLastly, this is paper crafting so one needs a variety of
incorporate a certain technique.papers to get started. There are many different kinds
There are basic tools you might want to procure if youof papers. It is best to ask from a craft store what is
are interested in trying paper crafts. You will often findmost suited in your project.
yourself doing a lot of paper cutting so you might wantOne quality paper to start with is the quality archival
to get cutting instruments like paper cutters or scissors.paper products. It does not fade easily. These
Cutting may scratch or damage tables or otherproducts are acid free and will not deteriorate, unlike
working surfaces. As such, get a self-healing cuttingnon-archival papers. You can also try recycled and
mat and do your cutting jobs here. It has a specialused papers like old cards, music sheets, as well as
scratch-resistant surface.calendars, paper napkins and wrapping paper.
Ruled metals with straight edges are also basic paperPaper crafting relies greatly on your creativity, but you
craft tools. It has a dual purpose. First is it givescan try mastering basic techniques here to get the ball
accurate and precise measurements, usually inrolling for you.
centimeters and inches. And second, the edges areDirect-to-Paper or DTP is a gentle stroke technique on
used to mark and cut straight lines.applying dye or pigmented ink is used directly to paper
A bone folder or stylus helps make creases deep tofrom the pad. However, you can use a heat emboss
avoid residue. Residues can ruin your paper's texture. Itand use a heat set if you will do rubber stamping.
can also be used to add paper dimensions.Dry embossing is used to embellish small areas or
Pencils are very useful making in temporary markingsflaps of envelopes in your project. One can also use
and notes in guiding your project.plastic stencils for stencil painting. A light box is the
Most often than not, you will find yourself attachingeasiest way to dry emboss. It will lighten up the paper
two things together in paper crafting. Thus you needfrom below. You can also tape your template to a
glue sticks, double-sided tapes or any other adhesiveswindow to get the desired backlighting. A moist clean
appropriate for paper materials. You can also use acloth over the paper like vellum is used to prevent
glue gun.tearing of brittle paper.
A black ink pad may also come in handy in embossingHeat embossing is the quickest way in dressing up
surfaces. Three by four inches larger black dye padspaper projects It is a raised paper effect that uses
and a black pigmented pad is a good choice.embossing stamps, ink and embossing powder.
Rubber stamps are primarily used in rubberstampingPaper piercing is also known as parchment piercing. A
projects. But it can also be used in other projects toperforating tool is used to pierce a paper for a lace
add designs to your work.effect.
Stamp cleaners have conditioning agents to preventPaper crafts is more popular to kid and ladies, but
the rubber stamps from drying. It is best to clean thethere are men who also indulge in this hobby. It is
stamps by removing some of the ink residue tointeresting how a simple piece of paper can be
prolong its life. And to complete the kit, get a stamptransformed into an art.