DIY Laminate
I use my Sizzix die cutting/embossing machine for many unconventional craft projects, making styrofoam printing plates, embossing with lace and fabric and printing to name a few. In one experiment I was surprised to learn that I could get wax paper to adhere with glue and that led to my DIY lamination technique without a laminator. I love the waxy feel and look it gives to ephemera as well as being a protective finish. This is a review of just a few of my experiments with wax paper including my personal treasures. It remains a favorite that I’ll continue to experiment with and use for many practical applications. I even found that I can eliminate the Sizzix for small projects, the results are just as beautiful and should be as long lasting.
My first die cut projects, March 2023, still just as beautiful, tactile and protective. I use these on cards, tags, for closures, as tiny tags or just to tuck in a card or journal.
materials
What you’ll need:
Sizzix die cutting embossing machine (but don’t worry if you don’t have one)
your images or paper
packaging, scrapbook paper, folder or any other backing for your image
clear liquid glue (not tacky glue, too thick), I used Elmer’s clear school glue (glue reviews in video)
wax paper
scissors or trimmer
This DIY will help protect fragile papers, news clippings, recipes, or anything else you want to preserve. You can also use it for other craft projects like preserving Autumn leaves (coat leaves with acrylic medium first) or for making sturdy bookmarks, tags or other useful items that get a lot of handling.
In the future I hope to try laminating napkins, tissue paper as well as experimenting with layering and other embossing techniques.
I hope you’ll find these applications useful too for quick DIY lamination using easy to find items.
Happy paper crafting!
Charms flecked with chunky gold glitter, rubbed ink on top and then rimmed with oil based gold metallic marker.
Preserved leaves. Coat leaves with clear acrylic medium first to preserve color. Then carefully glue onto backing before laminating and embossing.
Various embossing techniques using different folders. Use on dark backgrounds for an ice effect.
Several layers of wax paper which gives a beveled effect after die cutting.
Envelope, paper layering with fussy cuts before laminating and embossing. Try crumpling the wax paper before applying.
Partial embossing folder, use frame embossing folders or just emboss a part of the image.
Wax paper on black cardstock. Metallic gold acrylic paint rubbed on top.
Great for bookmarks and other useful items that get a lot of handling.
