Hello crafty friends, you might have heard about the new Spellbinders Betterpress. This is an award-winning system designed to transfer images and text to paper, achieving a gorgeous letterpress look and feel.
Simple and easy to use… I think you are going to love it!!
In the Insta reel, you can see how to set up Betterpress and how to start working with it.
That was my first time pressing sentiments.
Watch my Betterpress introductory Instagram reel here.
Betterpress Key Features
The Betterpress makes letterpress better.
It promises the users to experience the refinement of letterpress in their home by using the Betterpress Magnetic platform with the following die-cutting machines:
- Spellbinders Platinum (large format).
- Platinum 6 die cutting machine.
- Sizzix Big Shot.
- Big Shot Plus (large format)
- Switch machines.
The Betterpress System is magnetic and it includes:
- Magnetic Betterpress Platform.
- Grey Grid Magnetic Mat (to hold the press plates).
- Three white shims ( to place underneath the magnetic mat and are essential to achieving the right pressure)
- Clear top plate with registration marks and magnetic locks in the four corners.
What do I need to work with the System?
The Betterpress solution also offers:
- Specially designed Betterpress Press Plates.
- High-viscosity Betterpress inks.
- Handpicked cotton paper panels from a paper mill in Europe, and it is available in 3 colours (Porcelain, Pebble and Bisquet).
- Tape ( to secure the paper to the top plate).
Betterpress Ink Colours
- Betterpress Inks are available in 8 different colours.
- These archival inks are acid-free, permanent and waterproof.
- So they are great to work with water-based mediums.
- These watches have been pressed on Porcelain Betterpress Cotton Panels.
- The press plate I used is called “Pressed Bouquet“
You can get the inks in packs of 4: The regals and Nature Tones.
You can also get re-inkers to make sure your ink pads keep juicy.
I used the Always and Forever Sentiment Strips Press Plate & Die Set. They are absolutely gorgeous!!!
My Thoughts and Findings!
- This system is all about innovation, simplicity and elegance.
- For great results, the best to use with the system are the Betterpress branded products.
There is no learnnig curve when using the Betterpress but you are allowed to experiment and find new ways of using it…
- You can use any ink and even acrylic paints with the Betterpress system.
- The Simon Says Stap Pawsitively Saturated Inks look gorgeous!!
- Depending on the ink type you use you might need to use water-based mediums or alcohol markers to add colours.
- You can also use absolutely any paper in the Betterpress. I used mixed media paper, smooth cardstock and watercolour paper of different brands.
- Yes, the Betterpress plates can be used to do hot foiling, I understand Spellbinders is still testing them to check how the heat can affect the plates.
Can I use Glimmer Plates with the Betterpress?
- I was told NO to, but I’m rebellious, and I DID IT!
- The glimmer plates do not provide such rich impressions, but you can press down the images various times to achieve the desired look ( You have to see my tips to do this in my video)
- By comparing the thickness of the Betterpress platform and the Glimmer System, I noticed it is the same.
- Hear me out because this is important : *I experimented on my own risk, knowing that I could break the system. If you want to give this a try, please be mindful *
When running the Betterpress platform thought your die-cutting machine, the system should run smoothly, with no cracking noises if there is any minimal difficulty to run it through your machine STOP!
- So it is key to analyse the thickness of the Betterpress vs the hot plates.
- The Betterpres plates are slightly thinner than the Spellbinders-branded hot plates.
- I only used one Spellbinders plate, but they are all almost the same.. I need to experiment more to be fully confident.
- To use the glimmer plates, I removed the 3 shims from underneath the grey magnetic mat.
- I was being extremely careful, and super slow… Yes, I was scared!
- It worked.
Can I stamp with the betterpress?
Yes, you can!
- Use masking tape to keep the grey magnetic mat in place as shown in the picture above.
- Then, tape the paper to the Grey Magnetic mat… with magnets, the paper can move a little bit.
- Use as a stamping platform.
All the tips will be shown in my YouTube video soon.
Can I use dies with the Betterpress?
Everything is possible in our crazy, crafty universe, but why would you want to use dies on this system?
Even though we could try, I think it is not worth it as dies are usually outlines and shapes with no detail and they do have a blade. If used facing up in the system, they could scratch the top plate ( even when the pressure is mild). If you stick them to the top plate using double-sided tape, what kind of artwork could we produce?
Maybe I’m wrong, but that is something unappealing to me, so I didn’t even try it.
Keep your Betterpress Nice and Healthy
It is easy to get ink over the platform, here are some tips to keep your Bettrepress looking nice.
- Clean it using Surgical Spirit or rubbing alcohol.
- Wrap the grey magnetic mat in cling film or Press’n Seal as shown in the picture and avoid bulk at the back.
- Remove one of the 3 white shims
- Add masking tape at the edges to keep the mat in place and protect the edges.
- When finishing each session, remove the stained plastic and tape and enjoy a super clean platform.
- Note: By securing the grey mat to the platform with tape, you can use it for multiple stamping or pressing in the same spot.
That’s all for today
Happy crafting.
Any questions, please ask
X
Bibi
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