Embossing folders are an easy way for you to take your handmade cards from nice to WOW!
They add texture and design to your card stock and are available in a wide variety of designs.
In this Big Shot Tutorial: How to Use Embossing Folders, I’m going to show you how to use different types of embossing folders with your Big Shot so you’ll know how to make your Big Shot sandwich for each type of folder for great results every time.
What you’ll need:
- A Big Shot Platform OR a hinged Multi-Purpose Platform open to Tab 1
- 2 Clear Cutting Plates
- 1 Blue 3D Embossing Plate OR 1 Specialty Plate OR at least FOUR ½ sheets of card stock (5-1/2 x 8-1/2)
- Big Shot
Of course, you can use embossing folders with other die-cutting/embossing machines as well but today I’m just going to show you how to use them with a Sizzix Big Shot.
Watch this video for tips on how to build your Big Shot sandwiches for the different types of embossing folders:
I have 3 different kinds of embossing folders
- regular
- 3D with SIZZIX branding
- 3D in the new Stampin’ Up! Design
Each type of embossing folder requires a different “sandwich” or layering of elements to run through the Big Shot and emboss the design into your card stock.
I’ve created a printable guide to help you remember what sandwich you need for each type of folder.
You might want to add numbers to your folders with a Sharpie so you can easily match up the number to the guide when you want to use a particular folder.
Big Shot Sandwiches with Big Shot Platform
- Platform – Clear Cutting Plate – Embossing Folder – Clear Cutting Plate
- Platform – Embossing Folder – Clear Cutting Plate
- Platform – Embossing Folder – BLUE Cutting Plate OR Specialty Plate OR Clear Cutting Plate with 4-6 half sheets of card stock
Big Shot Sandwiches with Multi-Purpose Hinged Platform
- Platform open to Tab 1 – Clear Cutting Plate – Embossing Folder – Clear Cutting Plate
- Platform open to Tab 1 – Embossing Folder – Clear Cutting Plate
- Platform open to Tab 1– Embossing Folder – BLUE Cutting Plate OR Specialty Plate OR Clear Cutting Plate with 4-6 of half sheets of card stock
Don’t forget to download my Big Shot Guide for Embossing Folders.
Happy Stamping!
Jessica
P.S. Need some new folder designs? Shop for Embossing Folders here.
I like your YouTube videos.
Thank you Susan!
Thank you so much for going through how to use the new embossing folders and also for the download!
You’re welcome! I hope both are helpful to you.
You are always so generous in sharing all this information with us. We appreciate it very much.
I am already a subscriber to your information.
Thank you for being a subscriber Ruthy. You should have gotten the guide download via email but if you didn’t please let me know.
Thank you Jessica, that’sounds really cleared it up for me.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad it cleared things up for you Christina.
thank you so much for clearing this up!! It has been a real issue for me!!!
You’re welcome Doreen. It’s been a real issue for me too so once I figured it out for myself I knew I had to share!
Hi Jessica, I have enjoyed do the ones sheet wonder club. the voids are very helpful.
I’m so glad you find the club helpful Charlotte!
Thanks so much for the video tutorial and the free download of the embossing folder guide. Wl bevery helpful.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you find it helpful.
Thank you so much, Jessica! I’ve been struggling trying to figure out which “sandwich” works for each embossing folder! So grateful!!
I’m so happy this helped you Nancy! Thanks for letting me know.
I enjoy listening to your videos. I earn so much from you
Thanks much Jessica
Thank you so much Carol!
Great help! I was just stashing my folders because I wasn’t sure how to use them!
So glad this helped you Fran!
Thanks for the embossing folder hints. Very helpful.
You’re welcome, so glad they were helpful!
Will make using the embossing folders much easier to use. Thank you
I appreciate the fact that you not only share your knowledge, but you go through the techniques of “how” to make a certain card. You speak clearly, and that really helps all of us who may be hard of hearing. So, thank you. I have already subscribed and will continue to learn from you.
So glad that is helpful to you. Thanks for letting me know!
Hi Jessica,
My problem is the Big Shot either won’t fully emboss the entire 3d surface, or I’m unable to turn the handle with the sandwich that people are suggesting. So I either get half embossed card stock, 1 cutting plate) or it won’t go through my machine at all. (2 cutting plates) My Bit Shot is new, and I heard one person say it can be a little hard at first to push through, but this is way more than a little hard. Any suggestions?
Hi Pam, By half embossed card stock do you mean that it doesn’t have a very deep impression? If that’s the case you could try spritzing your paper with water first or adding extra layers of card stock to use as a shim – I’d start with one extra layer then add another and keep going until you get the impression you want. Every machine is different and all embossing folders are a bit different too so sometimes it takes some experimenting to see what works best for you and your machine.