NEW Alternative Ways To Use Your BetterPress!!

Do you have the Spellbinders BetterPress system but not an endless supply of the recommended materials to use with it?
Are you struggling to find a way to use your current die-cutting machine with the BetterPress?
In this video I show you an alternative paper, inks and die-cutting machine method to get great results with what you already have in your craft room!
#cardmaking #diycards #letterpress #spellbinders #betterpress #craft
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[@momofdiego]

Thank you for showing other alternatives for the press plate and all the accessories. I could do this without a better press system, as I can’t afford to continue to buy new expensive tools. There comes a point where you have to say no more NEW tools because it could just keep going into eternity or you go broke, whichever comes first. lol 🤪🤣. I love watching your videos and listening to your lovely voice . 😍👍😊

[@sherryladislas9850]

Great tip for those of us using the Big Shot! Thank you!

[@lenoregibb3930]

I have a BetterPress and enjoy using it. My experience with watercolour paper has been similar to yours. I find if I use the smoother side of the paper, that really helps. I've also experimented with inks and in addition to Versafine, that any die ink will work as well. I have excellent results with Catherine Pooler inks. Love your background technique. Thank-you for sharing that.

[@mpbailey18]

Agree with the Catherine Pooler inks....use with a light touch and they are great!

[@KarenBliss-wu8en]

Thank you very much in showing how to use the Better Press with the Big Shot. I have never seen ANYONE address the results of trying to use the Better Press with the Big Shot die cutting machine and the issue one can have🥰🥰🥰

[@lynnvomhof8328]

STACEY PARK of Scrapbooking Made Simple has a couple of Saturday with Stacey KZbin videos on using the Better Press with the Big Shot. Go to KZbin & search and you should find them.

[@hopeeisman811]

Lou, thank you. I have learned to use these plates without the machine at all using the rubber mat and shims. You are right about the ink; the permanent ink work well. The paper too. The plates are too expensive.

[@mandyhall1674]

That was excellent info and love that last technique with the brayer. Thanks Lou and look forward to your next videos on the Betterpress. Have a beautiful day xx

[@MaryPrasadArt]

Thank you for the hints! I've also been experimenting with my BetterPress system. I use the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Sticky Grid cut down to fit the clear plate so I do not have to use tape on my paper. I noted that your StazOn dauber is dirty and transferring ink to your surface when you go to clean with it. I used to use it directly but I no longer do so for that reason. I apply it to a dustless cloth (like microfiber) and wipe, or apply it to a stamp scrubber. You can also apply it to paper towel but you need to wipe gently or you'll get paper bits. If you have a hot foil system, you can use the BetterPress plates with it - they actually seem to foil better than the foil plates!

[@annamarianenortas4859]

I love my betterpress !i have been using cannon XL water paper works. I didn’t realize I could use other inks . Thanks so much.

[@chrisarlington1792]

I set up my BP with the rubber mat and used a better press sentiment set with 100lb card. It worked but also etched the clear platen with the entire die. Why? Card too thin? I THINK I Discovered why! I used my sizzix foldaway , not my big shot. The foldaway is too powerful for this technique

[@mpbailey18]

I use my Big Shot with the Betterpress with no additional shims and no pressure problem! I've always read that each machine can be slightly different. Never would have occurred to me to use the "squishy mat" instead of the 3 shims the BP came with. Will test that out. I too have found that many other inks work well & watercolor paper works very well! Certainly not investing in the very expensive cs that Spellbinders wants us to...ridiculous price. One crafter recommended using a sheet or two of a paper towel under lighter weight cs to give it some cushion...surprisingly, it works really well!

[@ardieblack9231]

Thank you

[@grannieannie40]

I have the Betterpress & the Spellbinder die cutting machine but I am glad to see other ways to use it. I suppose you already know you can use the Betterpress plates to hot foil also.

[@Rebecca-wf5mu]

Lou Collons, I can not believe how fabulous this technique is. I have been having a wonder time and I absolutely love it. I love it. I am having so much fun with this technique!! Thank you so much for your help.

[@LouCollins]

I’m so glad it’s been helpful!

[@annapolito3986]

Thanks for this video. I was pleased to see that I wasn't the only one having pressure issues with the Big shot. Everyone was saying you get perfect results the first time with the BetterPress but that wasn't my experience and I was actually a bit disappointed. I've also found that the magnetic mat moves a little so I can't always re stamp and get crisp staining. I think I will have to stick it down. I've been trying different numbers of shims. I will have to try your rubber mat idea. It might also stop the mat moving.

[@JudysInkPad]

Wow. Absolutely love the technique you shared at the end. Can't wait to try it!

[@islahaworth5887]

Thanks Lou, my Betterpress was just despatched yesterday. Yiphee. Hopefully you will do some more videos as most of the ones I have watched are for the American market and we do not have a lot of the items they recommend. Thanks again Lou and I will have to start saving the pennies for when you release your plates. xxx

[@connieT796]

Thank you so much Lou I am over the moon you created this video. I already have the better press and the one plate as you’ve shown but only used it once. I shall try your techniques in the next couple of days. I adore what you’ve created here in the video. I shall be looking out for your new better press plates 🥰

[@glendadeah1218]

I never thought about applying color over an uninked impression, i will have to try it. My favorite technique is using metallic/ shimmer/ white ink on black watercolor paper.

[@erinwood4968]

This sounds stunning, will have to try it. Thanks 😊

[@debraschenz]

I have the BetterPress, but new techniques are always fun to do! Love it! ❤❤

[@michelegourd5742]

Lou, this was perfect!! I was not going to get one because I thought I would have to buy just there supplies and did not have the budget for it!! I am now thinking I would like to get one!!! Love your videos!! Also like your nail polish!!

[@suklinkner9127]

Great video. So glad to know you can use other products with the system.

[@lindapawlowski7720]

Great instructional video! Just got mine. Will try it out later. I would love to see a video that would show us foiling techniques with our regular dies. It is even possible.?

[@erinwood4968]

If you mean our regular cutting dies, then I saw a video from Jennifer McGuire where she tried regular dies with the Glimmer machine. I can’t remember exactly how she did it but check out her KZbin channel. I do remember that it will only give a thin outline foil image. Hope this helps 😊

[@ondria]

Thank you for other ways to use this system. I have a big shot as well and was running into not enough pressure. Also, I can't wait to see what your die releases are

[@JulieCozensCrafter]

Brilliant Lou, what lovely images.😊

[@StarPicard]

What a great video, will certainly have a play with what you demonstrated today, thank you so much.

[@marytomlin5326]

Great tutorial!

[@lindastubbington6105]

Great tutorial Lou, thank you x

[@jeriharmon8136]

Thank you for all the tips. I have a Betterpress but I have not used it yet.

[@Babs18059]

Thanks Lou! I have a Big Shot, too, and in my case the shims where nearly to much. I took, two away and get a good press.

[@nickdiomede7850]

Thank you for this info. I had been very disappointmented in the betterpress system. I am going to try your suggestions.

[@whichwitchhazel]

Beautiful Lou, it's on my radar xx

[@simplytrueblue3142]

Thank you for the shim tip. I have been having the same problem with my big shot.

[@bethrogers5656]

Thank you for these tips Lou! BTW Studio Kato has a KZbin video on using various cardstock besides cotton or watercolor. I have the spellbinder die cutting machine, and was gifted the glimmer machine and later the Betterpress machine by family. I like to make blank notecard sets as gifts, and have enjoyed using the BP to make elegant notecards quickly and easily.

[@chrisarlington1792]

Thankyou for your valuable input. I just started using mine . So easy, but I found when i tried to colour it, i could see fine outline of card around the press? I think overall pre colourings would be good. Im going to trydetail painting with distress ink. Looking forward to seeing what youcome up with

[@michelegourd5742]

I just used my hot foil plates and was able to get the same results !! So no I will not be getting one after all!! I took my hot foil plates and used my rubber mat and it did the same thing!! I also put ink on the hot foil plate and placed in down on the paper and it did the same way as betterpress. Just wanted to pass along!!

[@mpbailey18]

Not that simple... I've tried all my Glimmer plates on my BP....smaller ones work best, like sentiments. Foiling plates do not have the detail that makes the BP plates so lovely. Tried my Glimmer butterfly and it was utterly boring in the BP....beautiful when foiled though!

[@traceymahoney5258]

Hi Michelle I have a Gemini hot foiling plate and die cutting machine and quite a few hot foiling plates. Was it the Gemini that you used for ‘the better press technique? Obviously i wouldn’t use it hot. As I’ve not found anyone on YT that has used a Gemini die cutting etc, machine for this technique. I’d appreciate your advice on this. Thank you. Tracey. 😊x

[@chrisarlington1792]

If you use glimmer foil plates on your betterpress your warranty will be void

[@veerleveerlescreatievehoek2360]

​@@traceymahoney5258Spellbinders co.pany told me Gemini machines don’t work. Too much pressure.

[@jenifermcneill1411]

Have it, love it.

[@CraftStashcoukTV]

Fab!

[@lindadesgroseilliers17]

Thanks so much for an informative video. I've been on the fence about getting the system. I have the Glimmer Press system and love the results but have to admit I don't use it a lot - I don't have the space to leave it out and sometimes I don't feel like moving other things and setting it up. As I've seen more videos about ways to use it, other than as a letterpress, I'm more interested in buying, just not ready yet.

[@kathysoc3733]

Thanks for the video! I do not currently have the BetterPress system. I am still on the fence on whether or not to get it.

[@katieferme4776]

Hi just watched this fab video. I'm still deliberating whether to buy the BetterPress. Currently I have the Craftwell 'Cut n Boss' machine. I've gone onto Spellbinders to see if my machine's compatible and have found the relevant info page but my 'Cut n Boss' isn't on the 'compatible'/'incompatible'. I don't know whether you can shed any light on it for me, please. Again enjoyed watching this.

[@moiramiller977]

Want to the better press box you have..?I would like to get one. Just didn't know how it works. Replacement you have?

[@BettieReynolds]

I was wondering if you can use the BetterPress with the Big Shot Switch?

[@craftynikki6570]

I did have a look Lou at the BetterPress, but decided against it as the templates uses American card sizes, with our UK sizes I would waste too much cardstock

[@chrisarlington1792]

Ihope you don't mind this question. I wanted to use my Distress markers😢 some are quite dry. I tried using distress reinkers , maybe I have to wait longer for it to soak in. What would you do to revive them please?

[@suzannetunnicliffe2422]

That looks good. I don't know if I can use a betterpress with my gemini junior. Would anyone know.

[@jragnes]

I have the gemini also as well as the anna griffin Empress, and I've searched and searched for that, and I haven't found anything. I don't think you can use it with an electric die cutting machine at all.

[@mpbailey18]

SP recommends a manual die cut machine. Apparently the electronic ones have too much pressure.

[@suzannetunnicliffe2422]

@mpbailey18 thank you, that's something I didn't take into consideration.

[@yolandamccurdy7177]

Try using hand sanitizer for cleaning the ink off.

[@erinwood4968]

I know that they recommend using the Ranger Archival cleaner. Just a piece of information. Not saying that hand sanitizer won’t work 😊

[@kathigreyhosky1173]

I use the hand sanitizer gel. Works pretty good.

[@robinlane9306]

Love this! I have everything I need to try these alternative ideas, but whatbrand is your rubber mat please?

[@LouCollins]

Oooh, I’ve had it years! I’ll have to think back but I think it may have been a Spellbinders one, what they called the tan mat.

[@stonechops]

Will the Glimmer Foil dies/plates work in the BetterPress?

[@bethrogers5656]

According to Spellbinders you can use the BetterPress plates for hot foiling with glimmer machine but not the glimmer plates with the Betterpress machine. The glimmer plates are thicker and will supposedly damage the Betterpress machine. However, it appears as though many companies are making plates that can be used for both systems and will fade out separate plates. There are folks who have disregarded this and used hot foil plates on the Betterpress, but I feel that since my family generously gift me with the Betterpress system,I don’t want to damage it through experimenting with the glimmer plates.

[@mpbailey18]

Short answer is yes...BUT the results are not always great as Glimmer plates are not detailed like the BP ones are. I do like using my Glimmer sentiments in the BP though!

[@erinwood4968]

I too was curious about this. And even though I haven’t actually tried it yet, I used a caliper (tool used to measure diameter or thickness), and the plate that came with my Betterpress and the one that came with my Glimmer and they were the same thickness. I do know, as others have mentioned, the Glimmer plates aren’t as detailed. 😊

[@janiceshields1639]

What is the name of the stamp you used?

[@LouCollins]

@@janiceshields1639 this one came in the starter kit box x

[@juliecurtis9517]

I can't afford a betterpress right now. I find I can achieve the same effect the old way. Im not interested in doing things faster because I love the entire process of crafting, designing, and creating. Doing things faster actually looses a big part of it for me.