Creative Die Cutting Techniques Every Cardmaker Should Try

Earlier in this series, you learned how to use your dies for simple die cutting - the kind of foundational techniques that help you build confidence and get comfortable with your machine and supplies. Today, you’re going to take those skills further! This post focuses on some of the many creative ways you can do more with your dies.

As you explore these ideas, you’ll start to see your dies not just as single‑purpose tools. You’ll discover how a simple shape can become a stencil, a window, an embossed detail, or even the star of a technique you may not have tried before.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a number of practical, beginner‑friendly techniques to explore plus a new perspective on how versatile your dies really are.

So, let’s get started.

Embossing with Dies Technique

This is one of the simplest ways to extend the use of your dies. You can use them to emboss. Not only are Spellbinders dies manufactured so that you can emboss any die-cut shape, but you can also omit the cutting part and just use the die to dry emboss directly onto your card panel. For example, you could dry emboss an entire A2 background panel by using a cover plate. You could also dry emboss a nesting die to create a pretty frame around a focal point. You may even want to emboss word dies, letters, or numbers for your background. There are many ways that you could create extra interest on your cards by simply embossing your dies! So, what do you need to do to dry emboss with your dies?

The Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine sandwich for embossing dies (from bottom to top) is:

• Platform Base (A)
• Platform Top (B)
• Die (cutting side up)
• Cardstock
• Embossing Mat (E)
• Adaptor Plate (D)

In this first example above, a background die is used to create a panel of snowflakes. You might not have a snowflake embossing folder in your stash, but if you own a snowflake cover plate, you can achieve a very similar effect. The die presses the design into the cardstock, giving you a beautifully textured panel of snowflakes.

In the second example, a shaped nesting die has been used to create an elegant, embossed frame. Take it even further by using two or three consecutive sizes of the same shaped nesting die to extend the area of embossed detail.

In this final example, a more detailed rectangle die is used to create the embossed panel. The stitched and scalloped edges add a beautifully intricate finish, giving the cardstock extra texture and visual interest.

Eclipse Technique

There are so many creative ways to use the eclipse technique, and that’s what makes it such fun. It works beautifully across a wide range of card styles, from clean and simple designs to more layered, detailed projects. You can use all sorts of dies for this technique - a word die (as shown in the two examples below), individual letters, a tag, or even simple shapes. Each option gives you a slightly different look, but the idea stays the same: you’re creating a raised element that blends seamlessly into the background while still standing out enough to catch the eye.

Often when talking about die cutting techniques, you will hear the words “positive” and “negative”. This simply refers to the positive die cuts (the cut-out shape), with the negative being the leftover frame/piece.

To create the eclipse cards shown above:

1. Create your art panel. In the cards above, a layering stencil set has been used for the card on the left and a stamped and coloured image has been used for the card on the right.
2. Select a word die, tape it in place on the panel, and run it through your die-cutting machine. Be sure to keep all the resulting positive pieces somewhere safe. That includes the little pieces that sit within the letters!
3. Adhere your art panel onto a note card using liquid glue.
4. Die cut the same word die three more times from white cardstock. Again, make sure to keep all the pieces!
5. Using liquid glue, adhere your first white word die cut into your mounted art panel. Also include all the small “filler” pieces.
6. Continue by adhering the other two white layers/filler pieces.
7. Finish by adhering the positive die-cut pieces that you first cut from your art panel.

The result is a card that features a sentiment which is partially obscured by the stencilled or stamped and coloured image. Although the sentiment is raised, it should feel flat when you run your fingers across it! All you are doing is simply building up some dimension behind the word and then adhering the final layer on top to create that seamless design.

Die Cut Inlay Technique

This is a very popular way of using your dies. For this technique, use a die to cut the shape or pattern and then use the same die and cut it from different coloured cardstocks. You can then simply glue the positive die-cut pieces back into the negative panel and create a smooth, jigsaw-like multi-coloured design.

Above are three examples of the die-cut inlay technique. In all three cards, the die has been used to cut a frame from white. The same die has then been used to cut cardstock from different colours, and they have then been glued back into place.

Die Cut Inlay with A Twist – The Faux Stained Glass Technique

For an extra special twist on the inlay technique, you could create a faux stained glass effect on your project.

1. Die cut a background cover die (or any die that has an outer frame edge).
2. Adhere it onto some cardstock.
3. Glue coloured cardstock pieces into that frame or colour the individual sections with a marker. Do not worry if your colouring is not tidy; it will get hidden in the next step.
4. Add three more layers of the same background/outline die cut on top.
5. Add some Glossy Accents (or Tonic Crystal Glaze) into all the coloured wells and let it dry.
6. Add a final die cut frame on top (just to make sure it all looks neat). The result is a faux stained glass effect!

Negative Die Cutting Technique

This is another popular and much-used technique amongst cardmakers. Instead of using positive die cuts on your card, use the negative piece.

The picture above features a card where a white A2 panel has been die cut using different sizes of stars. The positive pieces were discarded, and the resulting negative panel was adhered over an ink-blended panel using some foam tape.

For the card above, the cover die was cut three times, and the three negative pieces adhered together. It was then glued onto a panel of multi-coloured stripes.

Offset/Shadow Die Cutting Technique

Offset die cutting is a super fun technique, and it works especially well with solid dies. The idea is simple: die cut the same shape twice from two different colours of cardstock. Layer one piece behind the other and shift it slightly so the bottom colour peeks out. That little offset creates the look of a shadow, which is why this technique is often called shadow or offset die cutting.

It’s an easy way to add dimension, contrast, and interest to your design - all without adding too much bulk. Solid dies are perfect for this because their clean, bold shapes make the shadow effect really stand out.

Above, on the left, the tea/coffee cup has been shadowed with a darker colour cardstock behind. On the right, instead of a darker colour being used for the shadow, the balloons have their shadow die cut from gold.

Partial Die Cutting Technique

This technique is used when you want to cut only part of your die, and it’s especially helpful when you need to lengthen or shorten a die cut. The idea behind partial die cutting is simple: only the section of the die that sits underneath your top cutting plate will cut. Any part of the die that extends beyond the top cutting plate won’t receive enough pressure, so it stays uncut.

By controlling where the cutting plate sits, you control precisely which portion of the die cuts through your cardstock. It’s a clever way to customise the size of your die cuts and get more flexibility from the shapes you already own.

Shaped Card Bases

Partial die cutting can be used to create shaped card bases, and nesting or shaped dies are perfect for this. By cutting only part of the die, you can form a shaped edge at the top of your folded card base while keeping the fold intact. It’s a simple way to turn your favourite shapes into custom card bases and get even more use out of your nesting dies.

Above are four shaped card bases that have been die-cut using nesting dies.  The top or side edge is still intact.

Here is a brief step-by-step guide for creating shaped bases using partial die cutting.

1. Take your shaped die and a top folding A2 note card. Tape the die in place, making sure that the cutting line at the top is overhanging the top of the note card.

2. From behind, you can see the cutting line, which sits outside of the top folding edge.

3. Run this through your die-cutting machine using your normal die-cutting sandwich. The section of the die that is overhanging the cardstock will not get cut.

4. The resulting card base is now ready for you to use.

Altering Die Cut Shapes

In the example below, by using partial die cutting, you can create an oval die cut using an arch-shaped die.

1. Tape an arch die to a piece of cardstock.

2. Position the panel between your two cutting plates. Make sure that the top plate does not cover the entire die. When you run this sandwich through your die-cutting machine, it will not cut the part of the die to the left of the top cutting plate.

3. Above you can see that the top section of the arch has been cut but the lower section hasn’t.

4. Rotate the arch die and line it up with the existing cut lines. You can feel the cutting edges of the die slot into those lines that have already been cut. Tape the arch die in place.

5. Again, position the cardstock/die between the two cutting plates as shown above. Ensure the top plate doesn’t cover the bottom section of the arch die (to the left of the top cutting plate).

6. Your oval die cut is complete! All achieved using an arch die and some simple partial die cutting.

Using Dies to Create a Shaped Edge at the Top of Your Card

Another example of partial die cutting would be to use a die to cut a shape at the top of a card panel.  For this panel, a butterfly coordinating die has been used to cut the shape.

1. Tape the butterfly die onto an A2 panel of cardstock.

2. Place it between your two cutting plates with the top plate positioned so that it does not cut the lower section of the butterfly.

3. Remove the die. You can see that only the top section of the butterfly has been die cut.

4. Draw pencil lines onto the panel to mark where you need to cut around the butterfly. You do not have to do this, but they can provide a visual aid for the next step.

5. Cut the panel either side of the butterfly using a ruler and craft knife or a paper trimmer.

6. You now have an A2 panel with a butterfly cut out at the top.
7. In the photo above, an aqua butterfly die cut has been added on top of the partially die-cut butterfly so that you can see how this technique could work. As mentioned before, a coordinating die was used to cut the shape, so you could now stamp the coordinating clear stamp onto that section and continue with the rest of the card.

Other Creative Ways to Use Dies

Here are a few other ideas you may want to consider for extending the use of your dies.

1. Shaker cards - these are super easy and fun to make, and the interactive element is always a treat for the recipient! And who doesn’t have loads of sequins or glitter that they need to put to good use? Use a shaped die to create a window. Adhere some acetate behind the window opening and then add a layer of foam tape onto the acetate. Put that to one side and then add some sequins onto your finished art panel. Now remove the backing tape from the adhesive foam tape and pop your top panel over the sequins. The sequins will now be trapped inside, and the card makes a lovely noise when you shake it!
2. How about heat shrinking some fun foam? Die cut a word die from fun foam and use a heat tool to shrink it! Then add it onto your card. This is a great technique if your word die is too large for your project. It’s a useful way to shrink it to a size you want.
3. Interactive cards – outside of shaker cards, there are lots of ways to get creative with interactive dies. The Spellbinders Dancin’ range makes light work of creating fun and easy interactive cards where the subject has legs that move from side to side. Card spinners are even easier! Pop the spinner behind your chosen subject, and it will spin with ease. And don’t forget dies which allow you to cut a channel into your cardstock, add a sliding element and then watch your scene spring into life!

The tag below features a penguin with legs that move from side to side. Cute, right?

4. Ribbon Boxes and Gift Card Envelopes/Pockets are also fun ways to use dies. In these cases, the die is more specialised and does a lot of the work for you and could therefore be considered basic die cutting. But they are worthy of mentioning here when thinking about ways to get creative with dies beyond basic cutting. Box cards are also good fun to make and are a fantastic way of creating a mini scene. You build the box and then use the internal “shelves” to display your stamped or die-cut images. The whole box is designed to collapse flat so that it fits easily into an envelope.

The cards below are made using a gift card envelope/pocket die. The envelope/pocket die cuts the basic shape, which you then assemble and decorate as desired.

5. Make a stamp from your dies! Cut the die from fun foam and temporarily tape the resulting die-cut foam shape onto a clear block or even a stamp positioner. Apply ink to it and stamp away! It won’t last as long as a clear stamp, but you can re-cut a new one easily if you need to.
6. Use your dies to create a stencil. This is something that works well with border dies, but lots of other dies will work here too! Simply cut the die from acetate and then use it to ink blend or even spray your background panel. Clean the acetate after use, and it will be ready for when you next need it.
7. Creating an A2 background from small die cuts is a fantastic way to use those tiny dies that often get overlooked. Hearts, envelopes, flowers, balloons, leaves - the list of shapes you can use to build an all‑over pattern is endless. Die cut them from different colours of cardstock or from an ink‑blended panel, then start arranging and adhering them across your card front. As you fill the space, the design comes to life, and those little shapes suddenly become a bold, impactful design.
8. Use coordinating dies to cut masks (from masking paper) which can be placed over their coordinating stamped image. Apply some ink over the top and then remove the masks, and your stamped images will appear as if they have a white border around them.
9. Use basic shape dies to create windows with a hinge. You can open the window to reveal a heartfelt message or image!

There are so many ways to stretch your dies and find new and innovative ways to create with them. We hope that this post gives you some ideas and encourages you to look at your dies and see where they can take you!