How to Cut Card Bases & Layers - Cardmaking 101

Hello and welcome to my blog; today we are going to learn How to Cut Card Bases & Layers for our handmade cards in part two of the Cardmaking 101 - Back to the Basics series. Below you will find the video where we will go over How to cut a card base, different types of card bases, and how to cut your layers for card bases.

I know that for some this is repetitive but for those just starting out this is something that can be very hard. But, I am here to help you with the Card Making 101 - Back to the Basics Series. Each week on Saturday I will release the next chapter of this Back to Basics guide for you. The last video and blog post will post on Saturday, July 2, 2022. So, you can see this is a long series of videos. But, I think it takes that to learn small bit size pieces is always best.

Cutting Card Bases:

Cutting your card bases for a card is pretty easy. A standard A2 size card here in the United States is made from 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock. A good card base is made from nice thick cardstock. I like the Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock and the Basic White Thick Cardstock for my bases; and that's what I use most of the time. Sometimes will will used Colored Cardstock to make my card bases. This really depends on the card, what stamp set I am using, and what other supplies I am using to create with.

Okay, So, as I was saying a card base is half a sheet of cardstock (no matter which color you pick). You can cut them in two different ways. Long ways for a tall top folding card or the other way for a side folding or top folding card that looks like a hamburger.

Side Folding:

My first suggestion and this is something I always do is I score the cardstock first the opposite way I want it to fold. For example if I want a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" card I will score at 4 1/4" on the 8 1/2" side before I cut the cardstock. Then I turn it in the trimmer on the 11" side and line it up at 5 1/2". Once I cut it I have two 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" card bases.

Top Folding:

When I made a top folding card I first score the cardstock on the 11" side at 5 1/2" and then turn it to the 8 1/2" side and cut down at 4 1/4". To make a 4 1/4" x 11" card base.

Cutting Layers:

After you have your card bases down; you need to know about layers. Basically layers are normally 1/4" smaller than the card base itself. For example if your card base folded is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" then you will make your layer a 1/4" small all the way around. So the first layer is 5 1/4" x 4" (5 1/2" - 1/4" = 5 1/4" & 4 1/4" - 1/4" = 4"). Now the next layer will be 1/4" smaller than the last so you will subtract another 1/4" from the last layer to make the next layer 3 3/4" x 5". Simple Right!

Now, sometimes I like to add a smaller border around the images so I will use 1/8" borders. The math is the same except instead of 1/4" you're subtracting 1/8" from the first measurements.

Don't worry I have a free download for you with a list of the most common layers for 1/4" mats, 1/8" mats, and I also added mats for A7 (5" x 7" cards), Slimline Cards, Mini Slimline Cards, and square cards. Along with directions on cutting card bases for each of those sizes.

Free Layering Guide & Card Base Guide Download:

Layering Guide and Card Base Guide

.pdf

Download PDF • 757KB

Video Tutorial:

Thanks for dropping by today I hope you are fining this series helpful.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins