FAQs

How do I use Tattered Lace Dies?

Tape the die face down to your paper with removable tape. This helps keep your die in place as you may have to rotate the die during the cutting process.

Run the die and the paper through your table top machine forwards and backwards a few times. If some spots did not cut completely through simply rotate your die and run it through your machine again.

Use a small pick to remove any remaining paper from the die. Flick the paper with your finger to reveal the intricate cuts. To remove any paper that may remain in the die simply use a small pin to push out the remainder of the paper.

Tattered Lace dies are universal and work with all machines.

Which plates should I use for die cutting in my machine?

All die cutting machines work differently, so to give you the best results using your Tattered Lace dies, here are our recommended “sandwiches” – or plate orders – for some of the most common machines. All these are in the order placed, so bottom up. For further information about specific machines please refer to the instruction book that came with the machine or contact the manufacturer of the machine.

Crossover by Tattered Lace

White cutting plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card / Fabric
Rubber mat (if embossing)
Clear cutting place
Full Manual

Baby Blue by Tattered Lace

A Base Plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
B Cutting Place
Full Manual

Big shot

Multi Purpose Platform (all tabs)
Cutting Mat
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Cutting Mat
Hints & Tips

Ebosser

D Plate
B Shim
C Plate
Magnetic Sheet
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
A Plate
Hints & Tips

Cut ‘n’ Boss

Base plate D
Platform B
Platform A
Magnetic Sheet
Die (cutting side up)
Cardstock
Platform A

Cuttlebug

A Plate
B Plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
C Plate
Hints & Tips

Grand Calibur

A Plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
C Plate
Hints & Tips

Joy Trevaille

A Base Plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
C Cutting Plate (grey)
Tips with Embossing Folders

Just Cutz

Thick White Base Plate
Magnetic mat
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Cutting Plate

Sizzix Big Kick

Large Platform (with all tabs)
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
2 x Big Kick Cutting Mats

Original Sizzix

Sizzix System Converter
Cutting Pad
Paper / Card
Die (cutting side down)
Spellbinders Spacer Plate

Sizzix Vagabond

Platform
Solo Thin Adaptor
Cutting Mat
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Cutting Mat

Fiskars fuse

Base plate
Shim A
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Cutting Plate

Accucut Zip-e-mate

Zip-e-mate Platform
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Cutting Pad

Accucut Epic Six

Light Grey Cutting Platform
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Epic Cutting Mat

Quikcutz Revolution

Revolution Platform
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Acrylic Cutting Mat

Spellbinders Wizard

White Master Mat
White Spacer Plate
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
White Master Mat

Sizzix Sidekick

Clear cutting plate
2 x Sizzix Adapter 2.5″ x 7.5″ to cover the length of your plates
Die (cutting side up)
Paper / Card
Clear cutting plate

If you find that your cutting plates are worn or that you are not getting a clean cut there are a selection of metal or magnetic shims available in the Tattered Lace range. The shim goes in between the flat side of your die and the base plate to give extra pressure when putting the die through the machine to help you get a clean cut.

How do I separate my dies when they are joined together?

Over several uses the pressure of your die cutting machine will cause the dies to separate as the pips are for transportation purposes. We do recommend separating them yourself with either a pair of old scissors or jewellery / wire snips as this means that you are separating them in a controlled manner. When the gaps in between the dies are quite small you may need to push the snips up towards the front from the back so that just the tips are through and then snip.

How do I keep the “waste” in the die cut?

Sometimes you may want to keep all the lacy pieces that fall out of the die cut. Keeping the “waste” in gives a solid die cut.

The best way to do this is to cut only enough so that the delicate pieces are left in the die cut. Put tape behind the die cut to make sure those pieces don’t come out. It helps if you have a machine such as the Crossover so you can take off some of the pressure, however if you don’t have that type of machine, take out a shim and only run through once.

Of course you can cut as usual, put tape behind the die cut and pop all the waste bits back into the die cut, it just takes a bit of time.

What is Charisma?

Charisma is a ready-coloured image designed to be cut with a specific Tattered Lace die, giving you a vibrant die cut without any need for paints or inks.  Charisma for dies can either be found on the accompanying CD-ROM/USB, or available for download on this website.

Why aren’t my Charisma downloads fitting my dies?

Our Charisma downloads give you ready-coloured images that are perfect for cutting with your dies, but there are times when they may print either too large or too small.  This is usually due to printer settings, so when printing, ensure that everything is set to print actual size.  The exact wording for these options will vary by printer, but make sure that no “Fit to Page” options are set, that borderless printing (if your printer supports it) is switched off and any scaling options are set to 100%. All our downloads are A4 sized (29.7cm x 21cm), but you should be able to print the correct size on other sizes (e.g. letter) if the above settings are correct.

How do I use double-sided Charisma?

Some of our dies now feature double-sided charisma.  For these we give you two files for one die, one a mirror of the other.

For printers that feature automatic double-sided printing:
Select your chosen image to print – the file will have two pages. Click Print, then with your printer selected, click Preferences. Change to two-sided printing, then print. Note: some printers will have an option for ‘booklet printing’, which will achieve the same result.

For printers that don’t feature double-sided printing:
Print the first page of your Charisma at 100% scale, ensuring Fit to Page is not selected. Turn the page over if necessary and print the second side in the same way.

To test your printer’s output:
On the piece of paper you intend to print onto, make a mark on one side. Place the paper into the print drawer or intake drawer with the marked side facing up. Print something onto the paper and
make a note of how the sheet leaves the printer. This will tell you if your printer prints onto the upwards-facing side of the paper or the back.

These instructions may differ between printers. For further guidance and information, please refer to your printer’s manual.

How do I use the Charisma files with my USBs?

Our recent USBs (from #38) include charisma files that can be printed and cut out using your ScanNCut.  To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the USB into your computer, open the Charisma folder and the design you want and then print the included PDF file(s) – make sure to check your printer settings are the same as for printing charisma for dies (above).
  2. Insert the USB into your ScanNCut, open the Charisma folder on the USB, choose your design and open the cutting file.
  3. Group all the elements of the cutting file together before moving to ensure everything lines up.
  4. Stick your printed charisma sheet to your ScanNCut’s mat, making sure it is straight and lined up to the top-left corner.
  5. Scan in your charisma sheet – the scan button is a blue square with a bar across it.
  6. You will then be able to align the black border around the printout with the border around the cutting file. We recommend zooming in to 400% to see this more clearly.
  7. Exit the zoom function and cut as normal.

The cutting files for use with the charisma are simplified versions of the design – because the ScanNCut blade cuts straight and doesn’t bevel the detail like our dies, it can show a lot of white lines on the design from the base card.  We also include detailed designs on our USBs that feature the extra cutting detail which are designed for use on plain cardstock – these aren’t intended for use with the charisma and do not include the outline for lining up, but can be rotated to fit if you wish.

We suggest using a light weight printing paper – 120gsm or similar is perfect. Use a low tack mat to suit the lighter weight of paper/card.

How do I use Tattered Lace Embossing Folders?

Using an embossing folder is simple, cut the material to be embossed into a panel that will fit inside the folder. Place it into the embossing folder, build up the appropriate sandwich for the machine being used, and roll the folder through the machine.

Placing the card with the right side up will give you a raised embossed effect. Placing the card with the right side down will give you a de-bossed effect. You may need to add or remove shims and vary your sandwich for your particular machine. Never force a sandwich into your machine, as this may cause damage to your folders or machine. Always be sure to follow your manufacturer’s guidelines.

Which plates should I use for interchangeable embossing folders in my machine?

All die cutting machines work differently, so to give you the best results using your Tattered Lace Interchangeable Embossing Folders, here are our recommended “sandwiches” – or plate orders – for some of the most common machines. All these are in the order placed, so bottom up. For further information about specific machines please refer to the instruction book that came with the machine or contact the manufacturer of the machine.

Crossover by Tattered Lace

White cutting plate
Interchangeable Folder
Clear cutting place
Full Manual

Big shot

Multi Purpose Platform (no tabs)
Interchangeable Folder
Cutting Plate

Ebosser

D Plate
Magnetic Sheet
Metal Shim
Interchangeable Folder
C Plate

Cut ‘n’ Boss

Base plate D
Card Shims
Interchangeable Folder
Platform A

Cuttlebug

A Plate
Interchangeable Folder
B Plate

Grand Calibur

C Plate
Interchangeable Folder
Card Shims

Joy Trevaille

Blue Plate
Interchangeable Folder
Card Shims

Any card shims should be varied depending on the thickness of the card being embossed and the pressure in the machine.

Top Tips

To stop your Tattered Lace Detail Glue drying out or going rusty with pins, piece a hole in the top of a cork with your Pokey Tool and simply place the glue nozzle in the end. Works upside down and is always ready for use!
– Hilda Atkinson

What is your Angel Policy?

As long as all dies and embossing folders are cut/embossed on a standard home die cutting machine and all projects are hand made there is no limit to how many can be sold or where they can be sold. Cuts made using a standard home die cutting machine may also be sold but papers and printed sheets, whether from a CD-ROM or free download must not be printed and sold but can be cut and used on handmade projects to be sold. If cuts are made on an electronic machine such as (but not limited to) Brother Scan & Cut, Silhouette Cameo then designs may be re-sized and hand made finished projects may be sold. Die cut shapes can only be sold if produced using a Cutting Craftorium USB stick or a Brother Scan & Cut and the Tattered Lace licensed USB sticks, and only up to 200 per design. Reproduction or replication of designs in any format other than being cut with a home cutting machine is not permitted.