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Post by karinec on Jun 21, 2023 0:32:08 GMT
Would be great if I could use all the Studio Calico letterpress inks I have hanging around but the system doesn’t seem built for that. Maybe someone smarter than me will figure that out! I haven't seen the SC inks - what is different about them that makes them not work with this system? they are in a tube with the consistency similar to acrylic paint. They were made to be applied with a brayer and the application was tricky. There was a real learning curve in terms of getting just the right amount of ink onto the plate. The Betterpress looks like they’ve solved that with the ink pads. |
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penny8909
Shy Member
Posts: 39
May 18, 2018 5:21:38 GMT
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Post by penny8909 on Jun 22, 2023 21:33:47 GMT
i bought the introductory bundle only. Very very easy to use.
Yes, you get professional looking results, which I love. I don't want my cards to look too "handmade" if that makes sense.
I am going to wait to get more plates. i just want to see what is out there. But I know I will get a couple for Christmas cards.
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Post by joblackford on Jun 23, 2023 22:56:26 GMT
I half-watched the newest Jennifer McGuire video and the letterpressed sentiments looked amazing. I liked that she also showed mixing letterpress elements with regular die cuts.
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penny8909
Shy Member
Posts: 39
May 18, 2018 5:21:38 GMT
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Post by penny8909 on Jun 26, 2023 19:38:11 GMT
haven't opened my box yet but saw a video where someone uses a paper towel as a shim and is able to get letterpress effects on regular cardstock. but I cannot remember whose video it was!! Anyone know
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Post by marg on Jun 27, 2023 20:01:35 GMT
i bought the introductory bundle only. Very very easy to use. Yes, you get professional looking results, which I love. I don't want my cards to look too "handmade" if that makes sense. I am going to wait to get more plates. i just want to see what is out there. But I know I will get a couple for Christmas cards. That's awesome! You must be having so much fun playing with it. Are there a lot of plates to choose from already? |
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penny8909
Shy Member
Posts: 39
May 18, 2018 5:21:38 GMT
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Post by penny8909 on Jul 1, 2023 1:14:45 GMT
yes there are and many more are being released on July 1
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jul 5, 2023 8:23:57 GMT
Altenew’s July release includes their first Betterpress plates, FYI.
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Post by karinec on Jul 8, 2023 18:52:06 GMT
I'd like to see more modern designs for the Betterpress - seeing similar classic type floral arrangements.
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scrappymeg
Full Member
Posts: 317
Sept 18, 2020 22:59:35 GMT
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Post by scrappymeg on Jul 8, 2023 22:18:09 GMT
I managed to hold off at first, but I bought this last night when Spellbinders' enhanced starter bundle came back in stock (it comes with extra plates, inks, paper). While I had hoped you could use hot foil dies with the BetterPress system, the fact you can use the BetterPress plates with the Glimmer hot foil machine does give the plates an additional use so I feel comfortable investing in them.
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Post by joblackford on Jul 15, 2023 0:03:27 GMT
Did you all already watch this video? Seemed like a great review, beautiful cards.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jul 15, 2023 19:28:19 GMT
Spellbinders has launched a Betterpress plate of the month club.
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buttercup
Shy Member
Posts: 46
May 8, 2022 19:09:24 GMT
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Post by buttercup on Jul 16, 2023 0:43:17 GMT
Did you all already watch this video? Seemed like a great review, beautiful cards. Why did I watch that?!?! She made it look so easy. And her cards are beautiful. And she used other supplies. Ugh. I don’t need it. I don’t need it. I don’t need it… I should go and pet the glimmer I *just* bought on Black Friday, and all the plates and foils I’ve bought for it since then. I mean it’s not even a year old yet. The last thing I should be doing is getting sucked into another expensive system. This board should come with a bank account warning label!  |
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Post by joblackford on Jul 16, 2023 17:22:05 GMT
Did you all already watch this video? Seemed like a great review, beautiful cards. Why did I watch that?!?! She made it look so easy. And her cards are beautiful. And she used other supplies. Ugh. I don’t need it. I don’t need it. I don’t need it… I should go and pet the glimmer I *just* bought on Black Friday, and all the plates and foils I’ve bought for it since then. I mean it’s not even a year old yet. The last thing I should be doing is getting sucked into another expensive system. This board should come with a bank account warning label! Not to further enable but the Betterpress works well for people who have already committed to the Glimmer system… you get more ways to use the new BP supplies than people who don’t do have the Glimmer… |
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Post by craftmepink on Jul 20, 2023 23:44:38 GMT
Ugh, I caved after seeing all the videos posted here. And what's that, Spellbinders is having a betterpress plate club as well? I looked it up, too bad the July one is sold out, the Merry Christmas die looks so pretty!
My betterpress should come sometime next week. 😀
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Post by craftmepink on Jul 26, 2023 1:52:15 GMT
I played around with the Betterpress and had a couple thoughts:
The pros:
The design plates are pretty and it's a bonus that it can be used with the foiling system.
The cotton paper that comes with it is lovely. You can easily make beautiful cards that come together quickly.
The cons:
I was hoping for a deeper impression in the paper. Once you color the images with a water based coloring, you can barely see the impression.
Overall:
It's a nice tool but I'm still meh on it. I think I'll need to watch more videos. So right now, I wouldn't recommend it. I might change my mind though. It's okay but I'm not sure it's worth the investment.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449 
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 27, 2023 14:56:10 GMT
Thanks for your review, craftmepink. I’ve been debating this ever since I saw the posts here about it. I’m not really into water coloring, and I like the elegance of the images without coloring, but I don’t know that I would use it just for that. I think I’ll wait and watch awhile longer. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Aug 29, 2023 22:19:34 GMT
FYI for those who got one, Imagine Crafts blog post today is on Tsukineko inks with the Better Press.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,759
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Post by peasquared on Aug 30, 2023 0:45:24 GMT
I finally used mine last weekend. I was surprised at how easy it was. I inked the entire cotton paper (it inked beautifully, I thought there might be drag, but nope) and then letter pressed. It was easy peasy. I haven't tried watercoloring the designs yet, though.
I do wish they had a white ink though. Does anyone know of a white that works well? I tried a pigment and a dye ink but they left almost a shadow image.
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Post by joblackford on Aug 30, 2023 3:28:43 GMT
Wplus9 Design has been sharing some Betterpress examples on their YT channel. The one I watched today was beautiful, using some new colored inks and a loose watercolor style.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Aug 30, 2023 8:59:48 GMT
I didn’t watch the Imagine/Tsukineko video because I don’t have the tool, but they used Encore, Delicata and Memento Luxe inks. ML comes in a white called Wedding Dress. link |
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,759
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Post by peasquared on Aug 30, 2023 22:48:41 GMT
I didn’t watch the Imagine/Tsukineko video because I don’t have the tool, they used Encore, Delicata and Memento Luxe inks. ML comes in a white called Wedding Dress. linkThank you so much for the info and link. I've ordered the Memento Luxe Wedding Dress. I'm excited, thank you! |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Aug 30, 2023 23:15:55 GMT
Happy to help!
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Post by craftmepink on Sept 3, 2023 2:59:03 GMT
I can't decide if I like this machine or not.
I was going to add, if anyone wants me to send them a letterpress cardstock with an impression, I'd be happy too. Just PM your address.
I kind of went overboard and have plenty of cotton cardstock and ink. It might help everyone to decide to get this or not.😉
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hockeyspaz62
Full Member
Posts: 127
Sept 26, 2023 1:01:24 GMT
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Post by hockeyspaz62 on Nov 5, 2023 18:42:56 GMT
I bought the Betterpress and only plan to buy sentiments. I got a good deal on Amazon for the base set. Watching various YT vids, I can use other inks, and even use my excess of watercolor papers instead of their expensive cotton paper. I’m not a pro card maker, nor do I sell my cards. I just give them to family and friends, so I will ‘embrace imperfection’ when sending out my cards without the proper paper and ink used.
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Post by CoffeeCrafter on Nov 6, 2023 6:04:10 GMT
I've really been trying to not be tempted by the Betterpress, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to resist. It was easy initially because there weren't that many plates available. It's kind of the same way I was able to initially resist the Glimmer until more and more companies started releasing their own lines of hot foil plates. Beyond whether that many other companies start releasing their own lines of letterpress plates, Spellbinders has been releasing some really beautiful plates. I have been drooling over a few of their holiday plates!
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Post by CoffeeCrafter on Nov 6, 2023 17:15:26 GMT
For anyone who is looking for a deal on the basic BetterPress system, Scrapbook.com has it on a pre-Black Friday sale right now for $71.91. On top of that, they are offering a coupon code (FESTIVE) which is good for only today that will give you an additional 7% off your entire order. Between the sale and today's coupon code, that would bring the price down to $66.88 USD. It looks like the shipping is $12.99 (at least to my address). I'm assuming that's probably due to the size of the packaging for the system.
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Post by dewryce on Nov 6, 2023 19:53:00 GMT
Thanks for the enabling CoffeeCrafter! The only reason I am not succumbing is because I have a Gemini and it isn’t compatible, between the betterpress and the glimmer machine it is currently saving me lots of moolah. |
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Post by CoffeeCrafter on Nov 7, 2023 0:41:53 GMT
Thanks for the enabling CoffeeCrafter ! The only reason I am not succumbing is because I have a Gemini and it isn’t compatible, between the betterpress and the glimmer machine it is currently saving me lots of moolah. I get it. I used to have a Gemini and ended up caving and getting a Platinum 6 because I wanted the Glimmer system. Of course, after getting rid of the Gemini, I realized how much I missed having an electric die cutting machine, so now I have the AG Empress. I still have the Platinum though for when I use my Glimmer and for using embossing folders since I've had mixed results using EFs in my Empress. Some folders work great in the Empress, but there are others I just haven't been able to figure out a sandwich for and the manual only provides sandwich info for her own branded EFs which are definitely not my style. I really wish manufacturers would settle on a standard thickness for 3D EFs! |
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Post by dewryce on Nov 7, 2023 4:09:47 GMT
If I end up with a P6 I for sure won’t get rid of my Gemini. Maybe I’ll keep an eye out for a used one. I wonder if the info on the different sandwiches required are on the web somewhere. Surely someone has figured it out and posted to help out their fellow crafters!
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Post by CoffeeCrafter on Nov 7, 2023 6:01:55 GMT
If I end up with a P6 I for sure won’t get rid of my Gemini. Maybe I’ll keep an eye out for a used one. I wonder if the info on the different sandwiches required are on the web somewhere. Surely someone has figured it out and posted to help out their fellow crafters! From everything I've watched, there aren't really any different sandwiches with the BetterPress. The only adjust comes into play depending on the thickness of paper you are using. If you use the paper Spellbinders sells that is designed for the system (118lb cotton paper), you use all three shims inside the chase. If you use the double weight paper they sell (220lb cotton paper), you remove all of the shims. If you are using some other type of cotton paper, you would just need to play around with the shims to find the right amount of pressure. I know Angie Hunt (owner of LDRS) said in one of her lives that she gets the best results using two shims with her LDRS branded watercolor paper (110lb/300gsm). I'm not sure what the gsm rating is on the Spellbinders cotton paper as they don't include that info in the description on their website. I will say, I love the idea that the BetterPress plates can be used in the Glimmer foiling system. It's really made me rethink whether or not I want to get a BetterPress now. Unfortunately, the reverse isn't true though. While you can use the BetterPress plates to foil, you can't use the hot foil plates to letterpress due to the differences in thickness of the two types of types. The hot foil plates will damage the BetterPress platform. |
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