Would you like some more background techniques? Today I use the same plate to create 3 different looks!
But first, I wanted to let you know that this post contains a ton of affiliate links (at no extra cost to you – just in case you decide to go shopping 😉) and that it is part of a Hop celebrating a new release from Altenew and you can find all of the hop details in the link list below!
#BACKGROUNDS3WAYS
Do you love stretching your supplies to get different looks? And you may already know that I certainly do. Today I use the Essential Textures: Gilded Marble Press Plate to create 3 different backgrounds.
Would you like to see the cards I made?
Technique #1 – Letterpress
Press Plates are made to be used with the BetterPress System and were specifically designed to create a beautiful ‘Letterpress’ look.
What is Letterpress?
“Letterpress printing is a technique of relief printing for producing many copies by repeated direct impression of an inked, raised surface against individual sheets of paper or a continuous roll of paper”. In the past this has been difficult to ‘replicate’ in papercraft, until now!
Why Letterpress?
Create beautiful, textured, and intricate designs that cannot be achieved with stamping, embossing, dry embossing and foiling… I know, because I tried 😤! And BONUS, it’s so easy to use!
You can use specifically designed products with this system, but I have also had fabulous results using products that I already had in my stash. You can see a video I made sharing My BEST 5 Tips & Techniques to MASTER the BetterPress RIGHT HERE.
Here I used the Press Plate with a Fresh Dye Ink which gave a beautiful impression. I kept this card design simple and added a beautiful die cut layered bloom.
PRO TIP: Use BetterPress Cotton Card Panels for the best result, but also try any watercolour cardstock you have in your stash too.
Technique #2 – Blind Letterpress
What is Blind Letterpress?
“Blind letterpress uses a single metal die that presses into the surface of the paper on one side. It’s called blind letterpress because this process is usually done with ink. Without the ink, all that is left is the impression into the surface of the paper stock.”
This technique is fantastic if you like clean and simple designs (putting my hand up here) because it adds a little something extra to the card design, but it’s very subtle.
This layered floral is not a stamped image! And ANYONE can easily recreate this bouquet and very quickly too, because, it’s actually one of the beautiful Stencil Art sets from Altenew (gotta say, I’m a fan!).
PRO TIP: Don’t have a background die? You could easily recreate these looks by repeating an image die to cover a panel of cardstock.
Technique #3 – Hot Foiling
Did you know that you can use Press Plates with a Hot Foil system, such as the Glimmer or Go Press N Foil? This is a great way to stretch your plates and get a totally new look.
HOW: Simply follow the usual steps using the Press Plates, that you would, if you were Hot Foiling with hot foil plates/dies. I would always check the sandwich (using small scraps of foil/cardstock) and add or remove shims until you were happy with the result before commiting to a whole panel of foil.
Please note that Hot Foil Plates do NOT work in the BetterPress system.
I think this marble panel really shines 😉using Hot Foil. Again, I kept the card design simple and added a flower that I coloured a LONG time ago and now can’t remember why I didn’t use it lol.
BONUS video: Want to see these techniques in ACTION, then watch my most recent Take 2 video right HERE.
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 05/14/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 05/16/2023.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Let’s Hop
I hope you are inspired to stretch your ‘backgrounds’ to create some different looks! Crafty Hugs,
Other Supplies: SHOP the New RELEASE HERE
Altenew Artist’s Markers: S | Y204 | Y608 | Y817 | Y823 | R056
Stamps: Altenew – Grateful Heart (orange flower)
 Neenah Solar 110 SSS |  Porcelain Cotton Card Panels 118lb SSS | SB |  Enchanted Gold – Hot Foil ALT |  Guilded Marble Press Plate ALT |
 Charming Delights Bundle ALT |  Charming Delights ALT |  CAF: Gardenia ALT |  Classic Greetings Bundle ALT |
Classic Greetings ALT | SSS |  Sweet Bouquet ALT | SSS |  Obsidian ALT | SSS |  Dried Petals Ink Set ALT | SSS |
 Green Fields ALT | SSS |  Frayed Leaf ALT | SSS |  Forest Glades ALT | SSS |  Evergreen ALT | SSS |
 Pink Crystal ALT | SSS |  Mauve ALT | SSS |  Berrylicious ALT | SSS |  Acai Berry ALT | SSS |
 Sunkissed ALT |  Orange Cream ALT |  Autumn Blaze ALT |  Firebrick ALT |
 Limestone ALT | SSS |  Ink Blending Tool ALT | SSS |  Micro Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS |  Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS |
 Metallic Gold & Silver ALT | SSS |  Iridescent Crystals ALT | SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |  Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS |
 Bone Folder Altenew ALT | SSS |  Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Paper Trimmer SSS |
 Bigshot SSS |  BetterPress SB ALT | SSS | SB |  Gemini Junior SSS |  Gemini Double Cutting Plates SSS |
 Turntable AMZ |  Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS |  Bearly Art Glue SSS |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS |
 Foam Tape ALT | SSS |
Absolutely beautiful. Definitely need to look at these. What gorgeous art you created!
Love your cards and that marble plate is awesome!
Therese, you’ve sold me once before on a ‘marbled’ look – I see you’ll be doing so again! Gorgeous makes – as always!
=]
These cards look amazing!
These are exciting!!! I love how those beautiful florals pop against the marble backgrounds.
Love your colors! And simplicity steals my heart every time…..checking out that blind technique. Beautiful work, thanks for sharing
Beautiful cards… I love the marble press plate. I pre-ordered it and can’t wait for it to arrive.
I just love this new press plate! Your cards are gorgeous; thanks for sharing different ways to use the press plate 🙂
I love the variety of designs with just one press plate. Beautiful cards and great details given for each card.
Enjoyed seeing all the ways you used this backgound! Thanks for sharing : )
These are all sooo lovely! Great flowers and colors! Love the backgrounds!!!
Such pretty cards.
Beautiful cards! I have not jumped on the letter press or foiling band wagon yet as they are quite an express but I do love your hints for making other backgrounds without them!
Love the marble background, makes the cards look so elegant. The orange floral is my favorite. Great job as always.
Wow! Lovely set of cards made with just one plate that does it all! I will be getting that Gilded Marble plate, for sure!
Beautiful cards Therese, as always! Love that Gilded Plate! This release is amazing!
Beautiful cards Therese, I love the marbled look of the gilded plate, haven’t ventured into the Better press arena yet but this may be a game changer for me! Cathy x
Well this is timely. Just upgrade some tools and received my better press yesterday. All the cards are beautiful.
Crafty hugs
Lisa
Your cards are stunning Thanks for all the info.
Your cards are beautiful! I love how the marbled background looks without ink!
Your cards are gorgeous! I love all 3 of your cards. That marble betterpress plate is making awesome backgrounds for those flowers to shine! Love them! â¤ï¸
These are beautiful cards.
Stunning cards! I love all three Press Plate techniques that you used! Gorgeous flowers, too!
You’re a rock star, Therese! Your cards are always amazing pieces of art! 💜💜💜
Stunning cards Therese! Love this press plate! Who am I kidding I love it all! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for the reminder that a background can be bold, subtle, or something in between. It really ups the value of a tool like that to think of using it in a variety of ways. The cards are lovely–a beautiful inspiration and a great reminder to be agile with our tools!
Absolutely gorgeous cards! The texture and colors are fantastic.
Love the marble background design and all the beautiful florals! Gorgeous cards!
Love the white on white texture. Beautiful work!
Wow! I love the blind technique, but the foiling is fabulous, too! Thank you for sharing.
Such beautiful cards! Love the stenciled florals! And thank you for sharing the 3 different ways to use press plates! So versatile!
Therese, this is the first time I’ve seen an application of letterpress that made me think I’d like to try it. Thanks for your clear instructions and beautiful designs.
Therese, this is the very first time I’ve been inspired by letterpress. Thanks for giving me something new to try!
Beautiful cards!
Beautiful cards.
Gorgeous floral cards!
The card with the orange flower is my favorite. It is so beautiful.
I really like the orage flower card it is so beautiful
Gorgeous cards! And I love how you showed 3 different ways to use press plates! So versatile!
Your cards are gorgeous as always! I’m seriously getting addicted to these press plates. They’re amazing.
Your cards are so pretty, Therese. The colors made me feel cheerful and happy on a dull day 🙂
Gorgeous cards! I love the different styles with the press plate!
Thanks for showing the versatility of the marbled look! Three pretty cards, Therese!
Gorgeous cards. Thanks for sharing the marbling technique.
Thanks for sharing your techniques and these gorgeous cards.
Wonderful cards, the marbling in the background is fantastic!
Your cards are beautiful! I’ve never tried hot foiling before. I’ll have to look into that.
These cards are all amazing. I have to try this background magic!
The orange and pink look wonderful together
Your cards are beautiful!
What beautiful cards! So pretty!
Gorgeous cards you’ve created using the letter press plate 3 different ways! Great ways to use this product, thanks for the inspiration!
Beautiful cards
Beautiful cards – the Texture Press Plate is one of my favourites! Thank you for sharing the different techniques – love them all!
I wonder if press plates will take the place of hot foil plates and embossing folders? More versatile but it is a slightly higher price point.