Take your time and pay attention to get the ink on all parts of the printing plate and also not to get any on the surrounding areas of the Letterpress grid tool. I also try and brayer the plate from all directions. When applying the ink to the letterpress plates use gentle strokes.You really want to insure a proper distribution of ink on the brayer. When applying the ink to the brayer, use short, small strokes across the ink base, raising your brayer in between strokes.Think of the ink like salt when cooking you can always add more later, but start with too much and your project is ruined. When I say, “small,” I mean it Like half the amount of the size of a pea. Work with small bits of ink on your ink base at a time.I’ve tried using acrylic paints and have not had very good success. I’m sure you can purchase brands other than QuicKutz, but I recommend that you do stay with inks and papers made for Letterpressing. The Letterpress ink and paper is specifically designed to be used with this machine.I’ve actually found that the vegetable oil works a little quicker for cleaning your ink base and brayer than the cleaning cloths. If you can’t get your hands on the cloths, or would rather spend that money on an extra tube of ink, you can use vegetable oil and an old dish rag. ![]() They resemble diaper wipes, but they are totally different. If you can, buy the special cleaning cloths.And instead of me rambling on for days to explain everything, I’m going to try and give you a quick list of tips! I learned that one needs to get into the “Letterpress Groove” as I would call it. I’m also what you would call an “instant-gratification” crafter and working with the Letterpress takes a bit more patience. I literally got my box fresh off of the line and accessories or tutorials really weren’t available. Honest first thoughts Messy, sticky, and temperamental. Unfortunately, the Epic Six hadn’t even begun the manufacturing process yet, but a few months later, my mom received a rather large box in the mail and called me and I was down there in a flash to pick up my new, fun toy. ![]() Now, some would look at this as a bad thing, but my mother is my main supporter (and financial supplier) for my craft addiction. And then it happened… My mom’s name got called. I sat and waited and crossed my fingers hoping that my name would be called from the approximately six people that got chosen to be graced with this new swanky product. ![]() I had a desperate craving to create fantastic “Thank You” notes and wedding invitations for my friends (Who weren’t even getting married at the time, but hey, we justify these things in our minds, don’t we ladies?). There was one thing in particular that I had my eye on in the door prize pile the Lifestyle Crafts QuicKutz Epic Six and Letterpress accessory kit. It was the final night with a fabulous dinner (dessert first!), auctions and giveaways. It seems like only yesterday… I was running off of a massive intake of caffeine and extreme creative crafty goodness at the 2010 Creative Escape Scrapbooking Retreat.
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