Glossary of Terms

1st, 2nd & 3rd Impression Prints

A stamping method where you usually use a solid image and keep on stamping it over the cardstock/paper so that the image gets lighter and lighter.  The first stamped impression is called the 1st impression, the second stamp which is lighter is called the 2nd impression etc etc.  Can be used effectively to give the impression on movement on the paper.

Acid

A substance which can discolour and embrittlement to photos causing permanent damage.

Acid Migration

The transference of acid from an acidic material to a less acidic or PH natural material.

Acid-Free Page Protector

An acid free plastic sleeve which is placed over your completed page to protect it.

Acid-Free Paper

This is paper which during the manufacturing process is made acid free, referring to a PH over 7.0.  If using a company that you are unfamiliar with it is always best to check the paper with your PH Pen.

Acrylic Block

A clear block used for mounting clear stamps onto.  Cheshire’s Creation’s acrylic blocks come with a layer of Instagrip on them to have this stamp range “cling” to them.

Adhesives

There is a vast array of adhesives available with different applications for each type.

Alcohol Inks

Available in bottles with tiny droppers.  Can be used on a range of mediums, but especially fantastic when used with Kromekote card which show the vibrancy of the colours.

Antic-Static Puff

Used to remove the static from cardstock/paper by being wiped over the cardstock/paper leaving a fine film of talcum powder stopping stray specks of embossing powder sticking to your project.

Aquarells

Pencils specially made for watercoulouring.

Bone Scorer

A tool which will help you achieve crisp folds and can be used to score card.

Brads

Also known as split-pins or paper-fasteners.  Are used as an embellishment to attach two pieces of paper together.

Brayer

This is a rubber stamp tool that has a rubber wheel and a handle used to make backgrounds.  Brayers can be flat or have raised images (similar to a stamp).

Brush Markers

These are markers with a long tip.  You can apply the marker directly to the stamp surface or use them to colour in the stamped image.

Buffered Paper

A paper which has been made PH neutral in the manufacturing process and then has had a reserve of alkaline added to it to neutralise any acidic material placed on top of it.

Chalks

Used for colouring of stamped images to create a soft effect.  It is best to spray your coloured image with a fixative to hold the chalk and stop it from smearing.

Clear Stamps

Made from polymers and used with an acrylic block.  Cheshire’s Creation’s stamps have a special backing which give strength to the clear stamp and need to have a layer of Instagrip between the stamp and the acrylic block so they will “cling”.

Corner Punch

A Paper Punch which can create rounded or decorative corners.

Cropping

Cutting or trimming a photo to only keep the most important parts of it.

Crystal Lacquer

This is liquid that can be clear or coloured.  When placed onto a stamped image and dried it creates a raised, glossy look.

Die-Cut

Paper shapes used as embellishments on scrapbook paper which have been cut-out.

Double-Sided Tape

Fantastic tape which is sticky on both sides.  Very versatile for cardmakers and scrapbookers (for scrapbooking always choose an acid-free tape).  It is very clean and easy to use with the best method to run the tape along your paper and with one finger hold it in place and the other “rip” it off.

Dry Embossing

This raised effect is achieved by placing your paper on top of a stencil and tracing the stencil with a stylus.

Dry Ink Pad

These give you the versatility for creating your own colour.

Dye-Based Ink

This is a water-based ink which is quick drying and permanent on paper.  These inks come in a wide range of colours and usually have a hard felt pad.  Dye inks dry very quickly, but are water soluble. If water is added to it the stamped image will bleed.

Embellishment

Used to create a 3D effect on your page.  Embellishments can be brads, eyelets, buttons, ribbons, charms, fibers etc.

Embossing

This is any technique which raises or lowers the surface of the paper.

Embossing Ink

This is slow-drying, sticky ink to which embossing powder will stick to ready for heating.  Embossing Ink needs to be heat set.

Embossing Ink Pad

These inks are sticky and slow-drying.  They have a spongy pad and can either be clear or tinted.  Embossing powder is poured onto the stamped image and then set with a heat tool.

Embossing Powder

This is a plastic powder which when poured over embossing ink can be heated to create a raised image.  Embossing Powders come in many types and colours.

Eyelet Setter A tool used to split open and flatten an eyelet.

Eyelets

Used to secure two pieces of paper together.  An eyelet-setter is required to properly attach an eyelet.

Fabric Ink Pad

These have been manufactured for primary use on fabric, but can also be used on wood, leather, shrink plastic, paper etc.  This type of ink normally needs to be heat set.

Finely-Detailed Images

These stamps are very elaborate and can be embosses or coloured depending on the image.

Foiling

This is the process in which Foil Paper is placed over a dried glued image, rubbed and then removed, leaving some of the foil paper behind to create a shiny, raised image.

Glitter

There are many different categories of glitter and many different uses.  Glitters can be opaque and transparent, holographic, pearlescent or neon and comes in chunks (mainly for kids work) to ultra-fine for serious papercrafters.

Glue Dots

Great for adhering small embellishments like buttons onto your work.

Gluestick

Used for adhering cardstock together, is mainly dry but may cause a little warping.

Glycerine

This is a permanent ink which is the best choice for watercolouring.  The most common brand is the Brilliance brand with the most common colour being Graphite Black.  This ink is fast drying, but if you are quick you can emboss with this ink.

Heat Tool

A specialised tool used to heat set images.  A hairdryer does not produce enough heat to emboss images.

Heat Tool/Gun

A specialised tool used to heat set images.  A hairdryer does not produce enough heat to emboss images.  Can also be used to shrink special plastics and to dry work.

Ink Pad

Ink pads are mainly used for stamps, but can be used for sponging, colouring etc.

JAC Paper

A special double-sided paper used to attach papers together or can be used for glitter and sand projects.

Journalling

Writing on a scrapbook page to give details about the photo presented.  It is one of the most important elements of a scrapbooking page.

Kromekote

A paper which is ultra-smooth with a mirror-like gloss which is very absorbent to dye-based ink (has a clay based surface).  When using a rainbow dye-pad it accentuates the hues of the pad.  DO NOT try to use glossy inkjet photo paper as a substitute as the surface of this paper is made from glue and your rubber stamp will get stuck!

Layering

A technique used to add dimension to pages by placing several pieces of paper on top of each other to highlight the stamped image and the paper above it.

Markers

Specially designed textas which usually are double ended with one end having a brush tip and the other a fine tip.  Some can even be used to colour in solid stamps giving it a great look.

Masking

A stamping technique to create images that look like they have been placed behind each other.  The effect is created by stamping an image, then stamping the same image on a scrap piece of paper, cutting it out, layering it on the original stamped image and then stamping another image over the top (the stamp overlap goes onto the scrap paper)..

Matting

The technique of placing a co-ordinating card behind a photo to accentuate aspects of the photo.

Mica Powders

These are fine iridescent powders that can be very subtle when used as a powder, or give a bolder colour when mixed with water.  These are best used on dark card for the subtle nature of these powders to show.  The most common brand is ‘Perfect Pearls’.

Mounted Stamp

A stamp which has been mounted onto wood (or acrylic).

Mounting Tape/Foam

Double sided tape which has foam in between it.  Used to add height/dimension to a scrapbook page or a stamped image which has been cut out.

Mulberry Paper

A very strong, translucent hand-made paper from the Kozo fibers of the Mulberry plant.  It is best used when torn.

Outlined Stamp Images

These stamps are open and allow colouring “inside the lines”

Paper Crimper

This is a tool which corrugates or embosses paper or cardstock.

Paper Piercer

Useful for making holes in cards where you are going to stitch or the holes can be used as decoration.

Paper Punch

A tool used to create punchies.

Paper Trimmer

An implement used for cutting paper with a sliding blade.

Perfect Medium

A very sticky stamp pad which can be used with perfect pearls, to create a watermark effect or to emboss with.

Perfect Pearls

It is a fine powder used to create pearlescent effects when placed over Perfect Medium.  Is best used on dark paper.

PH Pen

A special pen that can easily show the acidity of the paper it has been marked on.

Photo Safe

Used by manufacturers to indicate that it is safe to use with photos.  If unsure always use your PH pen.

Pigment Ink

Similar to embossing ink but can come in a variety of colours.  Will dry on porous paper without heat, however will need to be heat set on glossy surfaces.

Pigment Ink Pad

These pads are slow-drying and usually need to be heat-set.  Pigment pads come in a wide range of colours and include metallic colours.

Pliers

Round-nosed needle pliers are the most common pliers to use and are great for shaping wire.

Pocket Page

A pouch or pocket used to keep memorabilia in like a lock hair or a favourite pin.  They can be purchased or you can make them yourself.

Punch Art

The art of taking punchies and combining them into other objects.

Punchie

A paper shape which has been cut out from a paper punch.

PVA

This is a wet, strong glue and is not recommended for gluing paper as it may warp it a little.  It is great for attaching embellishments and dries clear.

Rainbow Ink Pad

An ink pad which has a multitude of colours on one pad.  Can be used to create effective backgrounds or rainbow stamped images.  Rainbow pads can be dye or pigment based.

Resist Ink Pad

These inks when used on glossy paper “resist” dye inks leaving the stamped impression behind which hasn’t been coloured.  The most common resist pad is “Versamark” which can also be used as a watermark pad.

Reverse Image

An image which is the reverse of the stamped image.  It is created by stamping your image on a plain rubber surface and then stamping onto the paper.  Is great to create reflections.

Rubber Stamps

These consist of several layers; the rubber die (made usually from red rubber but can be any colour), foam cushion and the wood block.  Some rubber stamps are available unmounted.

Scissors

Scissors are extremely important cutting implements.  Small craft scissors are ideal for cutting detailed images and large scissors are good for bulk cutting.  Decorative scissors are fantastic for giving fancy edges to your work with deckle being the most common, but there are multitudes of different patterns available.

Scoring Card

To use a bone-score (or something similar) to mark a fold-line for the card.  This makes the card easier to fold over.

Self-Healing Cutting Mat

Almost an essential item which can be used underneath your work.  Some mats have measurements on them making them quite useful.  You can use a craft knife on these when cutting out an image and when placed in the sun they will “heal” themselves.

Solid Images

These stamps are solid images and are best used for embossing or colouring the stamp with a marker

Solvent Ink Pad

This type of ink, made with solvents is ideal for use on non-porous mediums (eg acetate, glass).  This most common solvent ink is the Staz-On Range and comes in a wide range of colours.  These inks are permanent and waterproof.  They give off an odour and it is best to use them in a well-ventilated area.

Sparkles

Any type of glittery add-ons sprinkled onto glue or JAC Paper.

Sponge Daubers

Designed to fit on your index finger to give precise sponging to areas such as filling in stamps.

Sponges

Sponges come in a wide array of sizes are usually made from synthetic materials or natural sea sponge.  Each type gives a different effect

Sponging

The technique of applying ink to paper with a sponge.  This technique is excellent for creating backgrounds or texture.

Sponging Block

A special wood-mounted sponge which is great for applying ink to a page.

Stamp Positioner

A tool used to ensure that your stamp is placed in the desired position each time.

Stencilling

A technique used to add colour to any stencil design made of metal, plastic or any other design.  It can be placed on top of dry embossed images to create extra effect.

Sticker Machines

These are fantastic devices where you place your cut out image in it, roll it through and it comes out with your image evenly coated with adhesive.  Great for use with punchies, ribbon, pressed flowers etc.  The most common brand is the Xyron machine.

Stippling

Using a big, stiff brush tap it onto the ink pad and then tap over a stencil or directly onto the paper to create a background.

Stylus

A utensil with round ends used for dry embossing.

Templates

Guides for creating large shapes, borders or die-cuts.

Tweezers

These are not only great for getting out errant eyebrow hairs but can be used for picking up and placing small items.

Two-Step Stamping

Two stamps are used to create this look – an outline stamp and a solid stamp.  The solid stamp is usually placed first on the paper and give the body of colour for an image (which means you don’t have to watercolour etc).  The outline stamp is then carefully stamped on top in a strong colour to give definite shape to the image.

UTEE

Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel.  Mainly used with the melt-art pot or on a non-stick craft sheet for creating embellishments.  Not really suitable for use with embossing pads.

Vellum

A semi-transparent paper.  Be careful when using this as normal glue and tape will show through.  Can be attached with eyelets, brads or vellum tape.

Versamark Pad

A watermark/resist ink which can be used mainly to darken your paper like a watermark.  Can also be used with chalks

Wash

To use a wet water-colour brush to extend the colours of a stamped image.

Water Brush  A fantastic pen/paintbrush where water can be placed into a reservoir and “squeezed” little by little with water coming out the end.  A great replacement for using a paintbrush and glass of water.

Watercolouring

A great technique used with outline rubber stamps.  Methods can include direct colour with the pencil to the paper and then going over with a waterbrush (or paint brush) to give it a washed look, colouring on a separate piece of paper and picking up the colour with the waterbrush, colouring with a pencil and using a water mister to give it a muted look.  Another technique is to pick up ink from a dye stamp pad with a paintbrush and colouring in your image.