I thought that I would take today’s blog to spotlight one of my favorite little machines! Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine V2!  This machine is very similar to the older version which it replaced. It has the same sleek design and works the same as the older model, however, Provo Craft says it is more durable with its stronger outer casing and metal handle. It has an easy carrying handle making it very portable.

This little guy is a worker! It is the smallest machine I have, but definitely the most used! It is very user friendly and is great to take to crops, as the design enables it to fold up and take up very little space. With buying the extended 13″ plates, there are not many things that I can’t do with it! Use it for all your card making and scrapbooking die cutting or embossing projects!

With it’s 6 inch opening, it is compatible with QuicKutz, Boss Kut, Spellbinders, and Sizzix dies and embossing folders. It is NOT compatible with Spellbinders Grand dies or Sizzix Bigz Pro dies.

Tip: Keep one B Cutting Pad dedicated as your top plate for cutting and embossing. This will help the Adaptor C and other B Cutting Pad last much longer so you are not replacing them as often! The top pad will get really warped and ugly, but don’t worry! Just keep flipping it over and over and it will become your most loved (but ugly) plate! you won’t want to be without it! It should last quite a long time, but once it breaks, you will need to replace it, so I suggest having spares on hand. You can bet that it will break late at night, right in the middle of an important project, so it is important to have one handy!

If handled properly, the A Spacer Plate should last as long as your machine, however, we do carry replacements of all the standard and extended plates JUST IN CASE!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

It has been a while since we blogged about the Provo Craft-Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Folders, however, several of you have been wondering about how to use them in your Cuttlebug Machines, so I am going to review for you! They do take a bit to get used to!

The most important thing to remember before beginning is to remove the cardboard backing by removing the two green tabs at the top! DO NOT TRY RUNNING THE FOLDER THROUGH YOUR MACHINE BEFORE DOING THIS! You could break your plates or your machine!

Once these are removed,  you can take the folder off of the backing and follow the instructions on the backing. It will tell you the sandwich formula to use for these folders. Please check your plates to make sure that you are using the proper plates!

We also have a How To Video which we hope will be helpful in using these folders! Once you get the hang of them, you are sure to have a lot of fun with them!

We will be closed Monday, July 4th for our Independence Day! Have a safe and happy 4th! We will be back on Tuesday!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

I appreciate when customers email with questions concerning products that I can use on our Blog! One of our customers asked today for ideas using Spellbinders Borderabilities Dies. She also asked if she could use the 12″ Borderabilities Grand in her Cuttlebug Machine even though she did not have the Extended Cutting Mats.

Yes!  You can use the 12″  Grand Dies with standard plates if you are just needing a portion for a card or something short! Just make sure that you don’t bend the die where it is hanging over the edge!

If you do have the extended plates, you can cut the die cut to the length you need for layouts, cards, banners or other projects!

The Borderabilities  Petite generally come with 2 dies. One of the dies usually comes with only one cutting edge for a nice card border,  called an Accent Die. The Accent cuts the bottom edge and embosses the upper edge.while the other Border Die cuts and embosses on all sides for an actual border that you can place anywhere you choose!

You can also use these dies in the Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Big Shot Pro Machine, Vagabond by Tim Holtz,  QuicKutz Epic Six Tool, and of course, the Spellbinders Grand Calibur!

You can use these dies any way you want, the idea is to PLAY! That is the whole idea in creativity! See how many ways you can use them! Let the kids use the dies to decorate soup can pencil holders for their teachers, or for their homework binders to dress them up for school! That will keep them busy during the hot summer afternoons when they “are bored” because it is to hot to go outside!

Let your main squeeze be this We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile III Main Squeeze Tool! It  has interchangeable plates for die cutting, attaching, corners, & embossing! Plates just slide on, then give the handles a squeeze for embellishments on any project! You will go embellishment crazy with this handy-dandy tool!

The Crop A Dile III Main Squeeze tool is to be used with the specially designed plates called Squeeze Plates. All you do is slide them on and you will hear them snap into place. All plates have debossed words on the end of them stating TOP or BOTTOM and also on the ends above the plate slips as seen in the image 4.

A good tip for more squeeze pressure is to hold the handles near the ends. This also helps users with small hands! The Squeeze Plates have a special soft pad that protect the squeeze tabs when squeezing. The great thing about Squeeze TABS are that they have designs on BOTH sides!

*Die Cutting and Embossing plates can be ordered separately*

As for the embellishments for the Main Squeeze III, I personally love the corners! We carry a variety of these chic photo corners, such as Copper Corners, Black Shimmer Corners, Crystal Gem Corners,  and Holly Corners to name just a few!

I also really like the Squeeze Tabs! They are fun accents for both cards and layouts! The Gold Squeeze Tabs are great for a Best Buds layout! Then you have the Memories Squeeze Tabs for vacations, and Smile Squeeze Tabs for a girly look!

We also carry a variety of Cutting Plates and Embossing Plates that create fantastic embellishments! If you don’t already have one of these babies, you should take a closer look at what it can do!

There will not be a blog for tomorrow as I am off to San Fransisco to help my son move to start his new job! See you on Monday!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Extra, Extra! Read all about it! An all new style in embossing! Provocraft All In One Embossing Sets! Designed to work with the Cuttlebug Machine,  the All in One allows you to combine  a variety of embossing plates to give you the freedom to emboss, deboss and letterpress images the way you want. It’s easy to rearrange coordinating designs to create unique effects on your projects!

You will need to purchase the All in One Folder to use with the plates. This 6″ x 9″ folder works with the All in One Emossing plates which snap into the folder in the design that you desire!

To Emboss
1. Place the positive plate into the holds on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Align the negative plate on top of the positive plate. Close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Open the folder. Place paper between the plates. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.

To Deboss
1. Place the negative plate into the holes on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Align the positive plate on top of the negative plate. Close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Open the folder. Place paper between the plates. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.

To Letterpress Print
1. Place the positive plate into the holes on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Place a blank plate on top of the positive plate. close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Evenly cover raised designs with ink using craft tool and ink pad.
4. Place letterpress paper between the plates. Close the folder. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.

Just to show you a simple example, I did some embossing and debossing with the All in One Beautiful Set

Embossing:

Debossing:

As you can see, it creates a crisp impression!

I found that I could also use these in the Sizzix Big Shot Machine! To get a crisp impression, you will need a shim along with both Standard Cutting Pads. I used the chipboard backing off of a notepad which is approximately 1/16″ thick.

These DO NOT fit in the Spellbinders Grand Calibur or Quickutz Epic Six Machines.

*Remember to never force anything through your machine!

These are a lot of fun for cards or embellishments for scrapbook layouts!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

It is crunch time to get you gifts done for Mother’s Day if you haven’t already! Here’s an idea for a card box if your mom likes cards, but needs a place to store them, or you can fill the box with pre-made cards for her to use when needed! Of course I used roses, because that is what mom’s like! Right?

The paper I used for my tin box  is the Rustic Paper Stack from DCWV ( It is an exclusive to JoAnn Stores), and the Shimmer Stack for the roses. To cut the roses I used QuicKutz Roses die. Easy! I cut it out with my Cuttlebug Machine then rolled them up and glued them in place with some Zip Dry Paper Glue!

I used Spellbinders Lacey Ovals to cut a copper frame from the Precious Metals Premium Craft Foils, then topped with Classic Ovals Small stamped with a saying from Just Rite Stampers The Greatest Joy Borders & Centers Set! I finished it off with flowers from Petaloo Canterbury Collection Rose & Berries Branch and some ribbon!

This was a lot of fun! It took me a minute to practice making the roses with some regular paper, but found that the thicker card stock made it easier! Just roll it up with your fingers and let go for it to take shape, then glue it where you want it!

Have fun making your Mother’s Day projects!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

I have had numerous questions about the use of Provo Craft Cuttlebug Embossing Folders with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur! I decided to post your answer on our Blog today!

Start with the A Base Plate on the bottom. Place the folder (with cardstock inside) on top of the A Base Plate and cover with the Tan Embossing Mat then the W-025 Raspberry Spacer Plate (otherwise known as the Sizzix Original Cut Mat). Insert into the front of the Grand Calibur. Turn the handle until the sandwich exits at the back of the machine!

Since the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders are the same thickness as Quickutz Embossing Folders and Sizzix Textured Impressions, they should all work in the Grand Calibur the same! The only exceptions may be the 12″ folders. You may have to run them through twice in order to get the whole thing.

REMEMBER to NEVER force anything through your Machine!

Now you can use your Grand Calibur Machine and CB Embossing Folders to emboss those special cards for Mother’s Day!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Well, here goes! We have more back order news from Spellbinders, Sizzix and McGill! The following are the new stock dates for each group of dies that are back ordered:

stock date 04/28:

S3-146     S4-136     S4-137     S4-321

stock date first week of May:

S3-150     S4-316     S4-318     S4-328     S5-030     GC-001

stock date 05/21:

All LF Dies     S5-028     S5-029     S4-319     S4-317     S4-324     S5-032

McGill- Paper Blossom Tool Kits are now back ordered until mid-May!

Sizzix- Back ordered items:

656339-Stars,   656512-Butterfly#12,   656515-Dragonfly#3,   656539-Flower Layers#3,   656639-Elegant Flourishes,   656946-Postcard & Sheet Music,   657195-Clock & Steampunk

Item 655807-Extended Adapter is discontinued and no longer available.

I-Rock items are coming in approximately 04/22!

We know that this is disappointing news, but we know that May will be here and gone before we know it, so we are asking that you please be patient for these items! We still have tons of great items available to keep you satisfied and busy in the meantime!

Remember that Butterflies, ladybugs  and flowers are moving in big, even if some of us are still seeing snow!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

For those of you who are not already familiar with these handy tools, I am going to tell  you right now that having either one of the Silhouette Pick Me Up or QuicKutz QuickStik is an absolute necessity for picking up and placing tiny pieces such as rhinestones, paper pieces, etc.

Both have a tacky end, with a cap, for picking up and placing small pieces and a chiseled end for placing paper or pressing the small items in place,  or raising items for more precise placement.

I use mine ALL the time! I honestly don’t know what I would do without it! It is like an extension of my hand when I am using small items! I can’t remember how I used to place the dots of my I’s or J’s without using one of these tools! Seriously! These are the best!

Please note that the QuicKutz QuickStik and the Silhouette Pick-Me-Up are exactly the same tool, but with a different label and brand name. You may receive either the QuickStik or the Pick-Me-Up depending on availability in our inventory.

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

We are so excited to have received the new Sizzix Textured Embossing Folders! We Oooed and Ahhhed over them while deciding which were our favorites! Now, I can tell you, that was hard! They are all gorgeous!

I love the embossing folders for making quick cards! You are probably starting to realize that I am all about quick! Sometimes I feel like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, always in a hurry because I might be late! Needless to say that quick works best for me! You will most likely see quick ideas from me on our BLOG because that is what I do best! (Or at least have time for)

For this card I used the damask folder from the Corners & Damask Set. I ran white card stock through my Cuttlebug Machine then ran a Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink all over the top, which helped bring out the design. The pattern strip is from Basic Grey’s Hello Luscious 6×6 Paper Pad with a strip of ribbon. I used 1″ Scor-Tape to adhere the strip and 1/2″ Scor-Tape to apply the ribbon. The tag is made from Spellbinder’s new CHA release Grommet Tags.

Using the corners folder of the Corners & Damask and both the DCWV Luxury Mat Stack and Linen Closet Solid Mat Stack, I made a quick wedding card! I finished it off with Spellbinder’s CHA Fancy Tags Two and Basic Grey’s Opaline Half Pearls!

For this next card I used a card from DCWV Latte Box of Cards and embossed the front with one of the Country & Flowering Foliage Set, the ran the card stock strip through with the other folder in the same set. I used another new CHA release, Labels Eighteen #3 die for the stamped greeting.

Last of all, I simply used two of the four folders in the Butterfly Migration Set for a simple, yet pretty “Thinking of You” card! I used a dauber to dab ink around the edges of the greeting and on the butterflies to create contrast to the rest of the card. 5 minutes tops!

I hope these give you an idea of how pretty these new Sizzix Embossing Folders are!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Yippee! Just arrived are the new Sizzix Country Foliage Collection! With flowers, borders, flourishes and even a Scalloped Lace Envelope! These are a must have for your die collection!

If you like to layer, you will love  Flower Layers #7, Flower Layers #8, and Flowers, Cottage Trio!

Can’t live without borders? Then your pick would be  Flowering Foliage, Lace Edging #2, Lace Scallop or Windmill Daisies!

They even have a very pretty Decorative Frames Set to dress up your projects!

Choose from these and more for your springtime layouts or Mother’s Day Cards! Yes, spring is just around the corner! Are you ready?

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Scratch Valentine’s off the calendar! Get out the green! We’re looking onward to March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day! Believe it or not, its right around the corner!  Even if you are not officially Irish, it is great fun to join in on the celebration!

There are so many fun things you can do to “Go Green” Irish style! Banners, hats, pins, cupcake wrappers, and the list goes on!

I whipped up a couple of cards last night to show you today. Here goes! For the “Pot o’ Gold” card I used a Quickutz 2×2 Cauldron. The gold is from Spellbinder’s Precious Metals Premium Craft Foil which I roughed up a bit on the back with a stylus to give it texture. I placed the cauldron on a frame using dies #1 and #2 S4-311 Labels Nineteen. I gave texture to the card with the Houndstooth Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. The font is from Dragonfly Mini Unicase Alphabet Set with one of the RS-0655 Clovers under one of the O’s!

We all want to be wished a little luck now and then, so with my next card, I wanted a Lucky Horseshoe and a 4 leaf Clover by Quickutz! After all, I need all the luck I can get! I placed them in a frame cut from die #2 of the new release S4-306 Wonky Rectangles. I just embossed the bottom edge of the card using one of the embossing strips from Frills Cuttlebug Ebossing Folders then put a simple strip of patterned paper above to cover the line that the folder left. For the finishing touch, I added the title using Quickutz 4×8 License Plate Mini Alphabet! Done!

I really enjoyed making St. Patrick’s Day cards! I have never really gone all out to decorate for this holiday before, but I am thinking it would be so much fun to make a St. Patty’s Day banner and table centerpiece! Who knows… I may just go crazy with green this month! Feel free to join in! Check out our products under our St. Patrick’s Day theme!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

What is the difference between the Making Memories Slice and Slice Elite Cordless Digital Design Cutters, you ask? Well, lets start with the basics!

Both are comparable as far as looks; size is less than 5″, weight-2 pounds, and both have a 2″ preview window. Both run either on rechargeable batteries or can be plugged in with the power cord, which allows total flexibility for taking it to crops, vacation, etc.! Both take the same design cards and are offered in blue or pink!

With the Slice, you can  select from thousands of high-style images and instantly convert them into die-cuts up to 8 sizes ranging between 1/2 inch and 4 inch tall.

The Slice Elite has a hardware upgrade which allows the ELITE to cut more precise, 40% faster and twice as deep. Cut textured cardstock, vellum, vinyl, acetate, foam sheets, thin metal sheets and photos up to 1mm thick. Cut 1 inch to 4 inch designs in 1/2 inch increments anywhere on any size media.

WHY CHOOSE THE SLICE OR SLICE ELITE, you might ask?
1. Because it’s on-the-go just like you. Weighing less than two pounds, this 5″ square wonder goes everywhere you go. And because it’s cordless you can cut anywhere on any size media.

2. Because you can easily do it all at the touch of a button. Just insert a design card, select a shape from the friendly graphic interface and watch it work its magic.

3. Because the designs you desire come from one place. Enjoy Making Memories’ top-notch designs including the popular styles of the Noteworthy and Animal Crackers programs. Cut your favorite designs in one-to four-inch increments to compliment projects both large and small.

SLICE CUTTING CAPABILITIES:
The Slice is designed to cut through media in varying thicknesses including:
- Textured paper
- Cardstock
- Vellum
- Textured cardstock
- Photos (up to .5mm thick)
- Vinyl
- And Acetate

SLICE DESIGN CARD FEATURES:
- Design cards expand the Slice shape offerings many times over, and are currently available in four themes including Basic Shapes I, Basic Shapes II, Basic Shapes III, Noteworthy and Animal Crackers.
- Includes equivalent of thousands of design cuts including:  Upper & lower case alphabets
Monograms
Numbers
Scrolls
Flourishes
Photo Corners
Journaling Spots
Frames
Flowers
…..and much much more! All in our store!

I hope that you will also watch the video on the Slice Elite! Just click on the “More Details” button of the Slice Elite Cordless Digital Design Cutter and scroll down to the video!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Many of you have expressed confusion about how to use the new Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Plus! We have posted a “How to” video on our site to help you as the instructions on the packaging are not very clear.

The most important thing to remember before beginning is to remove the cardboard backing by removing the two green tabs at the top! DO NOT TRY RUNNING THE FOLDER THROUGH YOUR MACHINE BEFORE DOING THIS! You could break your plates or your machine!

Once these are removed,  you can take the folder off of the backing and follow the instructions on the backing.

These are so fun and easy that we want you to have fun too!

Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

WHAT IS SCORING: Scoring breaks down the fibers in the paper and allows it to bend and fold accurately without creasing other part of the paper, making your fold EXACT!

From Scor-Pal to Crafters Companion to Scor-It-All to Martha Stewarts Scoring Board, we have had many questions flying about what is the BEST scoring tool out there or if there is really a difference in which one you should buy.

So here at CutAtHome.com we did our own investigation visiting forums, talking to owners, designers, and of course most important YOU the PAPER CRAFTERS! Here is what we found out. Many like the Crafters Companion because of its options (i.e. envelopes),but complain that it does not have the deep channels like the Scor-pal. With deeper channels the score line makes for easier scoring and not having to press so hard. The Scor Pal is lines with a scoring tool, thus the “learning curve” is much easier. The crafters Companion is geared towards the paper crafter that is okay with complexity and a large learning curve. It is also double the price of the Scorpal because of everything it comes with and does.

Okay lets talk about the new MS scoring tool (Martha Stewart Scoring Board). This is the newest scoring tool on the market and is less in cost than all, but also has the most complaints. When scoring it tends to jump out of the tracks if you don’t push down really, really, hard. This is due to the flimsy material it is made out of. If you are planning on doing ONE project and then will never do card folding again, then this is an option. The other thing we’ve seen across the message boards is that eighth inch marks are VERY confusing. Here is another good article on Scor-Pal & Martha Stewart Scoring Board

There was NOT much talk about Scor-It-All (Scor-It) Tool that we could find other than what the owners say, which is it comes in 5 different styles ranging from 6 inches to 36 inches. It has a ruler function that seems to be useful. We also read through a bunch of reviews online and Scor-Pal still was favored by majority and that the Scor-It-All was more sturdy, but more difficult to use. If you are wanting to score chip board or other REALLY hard materials this could be an option. Here are what other people are saying that had a debate on Craft Critique: Scor-Pal vs Scor-It

Why Cut@Home chose to carry the SCOR-PAL over the others?

1. More sturdy with two side rails, which help with stability and compatible for right and left handed people.
2. Wider Deeper Grooves so tool does NOT jump rail. And helps with scoring thicker materials. Has been tested for depth perfection over & over. (see image to the right)
3. Quick measurements at every half inch making it SIMPLE to score.
4. Easy access to the tool on top of board and Multiple scores w/o having to move the paper.
5. Many accessory items also offered like the Scor-Mat and Scor-Bug.
6. The Price is affordable for the excellent quality you receive &  so much more!!!

CONCLUSIONS:

If you don’t need anything fancy and want a scoring board and tool that is EASY to use and practical, but built with quality and durable enough to score through MOST materials for an affordable price, we feel the Scor-Pal is the BEST OPTION! Read more about Scor-Pal… or see the NEW Scor-Buddy, which is portable and ideal for card making, invitations, and small gift boxes! Grooves are at every 1/4 inch. (Arriving in second week of June, but available for Pre-Order).

Cut@Home Team

Feel free to comment below!

Do you just love your Scor-Pal? If you are a huge fan like I am, then you are going to want to take a peek at the Scor-Buddy, the latest brain child of Diana Crick, the creative mastermind of the Scor-Pal products. Lady Di has so many ideas rolling around in her head, and this mini version of the Scor-Pal is sure to be a huge hit with card makers. If you travel to crops or just need to whip out a card really fast, the Scor-Buddy is lightweight and portable and comes with its own storage tote. The price point is very affordable at $19.95, which is down five dollars from the projected MSRP they advertised at CHA.

Happy Scoring!

Marcie

Here is some helpful Scor-Pal instructions, card making tips, paper information, brochure folds, gate fold cards, diagonal scoring, ruler markings, non standard scores, and letterpress scoring!  The Scorpal is the most versatile scoring tool that makes folding and scoring simple for all paper crafts and cards. It is specifically designed to fit the grooves so the card stock can not ever be torn while you are scoring.

Instructions on How To Use the Scor-Pal

1. Place Scor-Pal on a flat surface with ruler at the top.
2. Place cardstock on the scoring surface. The sides and the top act as fences to properly align your paper for accurate scoring. Align with the top and either side fence depending on the size of cardstock that you are using.
3. There are notches at the beginning of each score line to show you where the groove begins. With one hand holding the cardstock, hold the scoring tool as you would a pen or pencil (45 degree angle). Note: When working with double sided Designer paper that has a white core, lower the angle of the tool (30 degrees).
4. Carefully draw the scoring tool down the paper, using an even pressure.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The first time you use Scor-Pal practice on a piece of scrap cardstock to determine the amount of pressure needed for your “hand”. To clean your Scor-Pal, wipe with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly before using.

Card Making Tips and Scrapbook Paper Information Before Scoring with Scor-Pal

TIP ONE:
One of the key benefits of Scor-Pal is the ability to score multiple score lines at the SAME TIME, WITHOUT MOVING THE PAPER! This is a card makers dream because it is invaluable when making grid, reverse grid cards, gate fold, accordion folds, brochure/flyer scoring, box making, origami, iris folding and BOXES galore!

*When possible, always score with the grain of the paper. Cup the paper in your hands bringing the sides together. If it bends easily this is the grain of the paper. Turn the paper in the other direction.

If you repeat the same action, the paper will not bend as easily. You will actually feel a slight resistance as it is bending “against the grain”. On a piece of cardstock 8 ½” x 11” the grain of the paper is usually down the 11” length. In  most cases the grain of the paper is with the longest side, “grain long”. The paper fibers run in this direction. For a 12” x 12” paper do the “grain of paper” test explained previously. Another easy way to test for the grain is by tearing the paper. With the grain will give you a straighter tear.

TIP TWO:
It is best to  fold your card so that the score line is to the OUTSIDE of the fold. The bump goes to the inside. This gives a neater appearance to the inside of the fold. When you make the score line you are spreading the paper fibers ready for the fold. If you fold so the score line is to the inside you are squashing the fibers you just spread apart. If you check a package of 3″ x 3″ folded cards from Stampin Up you will see that the indentation is on the textured side of the cardstock. This reinforces,you fold so the score line is to the outside of the fold with textured side out.

TIP THREE:
When making accordion folds score at intervals, then turn the paper over and score in between the previous scores i.e.  a one inch accordion along an 11” length, score at 1”, 3”, 5”, 7” and 9”. Turn the paper over, score at 2”, 4”, 6”, 8” and 10”. The indentation is the mountain fold.

If you are making the standard A2 card, 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”, score the full eleven inch length at 4 1/4” then cut the cardstock at 5 1/2”. This way you are saving time by only scoring once to make two cards.

Brochure Fold – Dividing an eleven inch length into thirds

To divide an 11” length into thirds use the grooves marked with the inverted triangles. These are perfect grooves for brochure and letter folding or accordion booklets. The grooves are 3.666” and 7.333” from the left fence. Further flatten the edges with the Scor-Tool to have the folded paper or cardstock lie flat.

Gate Fold Cards

Use the grooves marked with a small dot. They are at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8” from the left fence.

Diagonal Scoring

For diagonal scoring ensure that both corners are aligned to the same groove on your Scor-mat. The ruler markings along each side fence will help with scoring a 12” piece of paper on the diagonal. Align the page with the 6” groove using the side measurements as a reference for centering.

Ruler Markings along side fences

Use the markings to quickly ensure your paper has been cut straight. Use the Scor-Pal as a ruler. Lay down a scrap piece of cardstock and you can quickly tell its
width and height.

Non – Standard Scores

You are not limited to half inch measurements. Eighth inch markings are between 0 -1″ and 11½”. By aligning the left side of your paper to eighth inch markings  1/8” and 1/16” etc scores are possible.

Letterpress scoring

Scor-Pal produces a score line similar to a letterpress score. A letterpress is basically the same type of machine used to foil-stamp and emboss. It is a press that uses pressure to create a pattern. A letterpress operates with a “male” scoring rule, in our case the Scor-Tool, a “female” channel, the groove and the paper in between. When the rule is pressed into the channel, it raises a ridge on the inside of the fold. The ridge acts as a hinge, making the paper easier to fold and ensuring a clean, straight, and durable result. A letterpress score affords the cleanest and most accurate fold possible. Although you can score in any direction, it’s harder and riskier to go against the grain or across areas with heavy ink coverage. The need for scoring depends on the particular grade, finish and basis weight of your paper.