Fiskars Texture Plates

Reported by Heather Strenzwilk

Over the past few years, embossed backgrounds have become an exciting way to add texture to projects. Before the advent of today's machines, dry embossing had to be done by hand with a brass template and a small stylus. Somewhere in the middle, Fiskars developed Fiskars Texture Plates which are thick, durable, double-sided plastic. In conjunction with the Texturizing Tool, they can be used to emboss cardstock. They can also be used to texturize clay, icing on a cake (the most unique use I saw for them) and with crayons to shade textured areas.

Although Texture Plates can be used with an embossing machine (more on that later), they do not require a machine or electricity. The Texturing Tool has rubberized finger grips and three ball bearings set in a triangle. By placing cardstock (good side down) against the plate, you can begin to emboss the pattern.

If you study this frame carefully, you can see I used two different patterns on the same piece of cardstock. To emphasize the pattern, I rubbed it lightly with a chalk ink pad.

Image: Squigglefly;
Sentiment: Sweet 'n Sassy

Another way to use Texture Plates is to cover them with lightweight paper and rub the paper with a crayon or colored pencil. This can also be a fun project for kids. This was a fun way to use multiple colors for a textured element. With this technique, the pencil will rub the "flat" part of the pattern, leaving the recessed areas without color. In other words, the result will be the opposite of the embossed cardstock. This yin/yang can be an interesting contrast, such as how I used it on my "Hey Girlfriend" card.

Look- a giant hand is using the texturing tool to emboss a piece of cardstock

What I learned:

  • Removable Tape (3M) is a great way to temporarily anchor paper or cardstock to the texture plate so it won't slip.
  • Vigorous use of the Texturizing Tool can shake a table. My kitchen counter was a more stable alternative.
  • Fiskars recommends rubbing waxed paper over cardstock to ease embossing. I much preferred a very light misting of water (spray water and wave cardstock through the mist) prior to embossing. This made the cardstock much more pliant and easier to emboss.

Fiskars texture plates can be used with an embossing machine such as a Cuttlebug, Wizard and Sizzix Big Shot (instructions are available online). The results are consistent embossed background similar to those of other embossing folders and tools. And using an embossing machine with a texture plate is faster and more consistent than doing it by hand with the Fiskars Texture Tool.

For the textured bars on this scrapbook page, I used gold glossy cardstock. For a distressed metallic look, I sanded the piece of the cardstock before embossing and rubbed it with a rust colored chalk ink pad after embossing. All stickers and chipboard die cuts are from Heidi Grace.

These samples were either embossed or colored over a Texture Template.

Pros:

  • No electricity or machine required
  • You can emboss specified areas
  • You can emboss more than 1 pattern per page by changing the plate
  • The plates fit the ShapeBoss Embossing System also by Fiskars.
  • Good option if you do not own an embossing machine (I paid under $5 for two texture plates and a texturizing tool).
  • Sturdy, durable product which is easy to store.
  • Easy to clean
  • Versatile- can be used three ways (four if you count the icing!)

Cons:

  • Manually embossing like this can result in missed or inconsistently embossed areas. Lining them up to re-emboss them can be challenging.
  • The cardstock can slip while embossing. I anchored the cardstock to the plate with removable tape.
  • Each plate has two different patterns. This means you can only get the embossed pattern and not reverse of it like with a Cuttlebug folder.
  • Texturizing Tool can be tiring to use
  • Manually dry embossing can have inconsistent results compared to an embossing machine
  • This product only creates the positive embossed image compared to an embossing folder which creates a reversible embossed image.

I am a big fan of Fiskars brand products because of their reliability and quality. Texture Plates were a cost effective way to have the textured look without purchasing an expensive machine. My results were sometimes inconsistent due to the manual process required, but they do give better results in an embossing machine. Fiskars Texture Plates are safe for children. The product is durable, lightweight, portable and can be used to dry emboss, texturize shaded areas, add texture to clay and even cake icing!

Have you tried Fiskars Texture Plates with a Texturing Tool or with an embossing machine? What did you think? Please share your comments with our readers.

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