neato stuff's

Topics: Tools and Supplies --Hints--Ideas

What ARE Pop Outs ? Made of paper, they are cards or books that seem to come out at you when opened. Images, be it stamped, drawn or cut out pictures from magazines or photographs are attached to the fronts of the supports.	How Can I Make Pop Outs? With neato stuff's" Pop Out Card Kits" or "Rubber Stamp Template Stamps" you can make many styles of Pop Out cards. There are Full Size Cards as well as Gift Card Sized. Two Support has one platforn with two seperate supports, Stairstep has three steps up (the original and easiest to use), Columns has 9 vertical supports and Blocks has large blocks with little blocks on top of them.
Supplies needed: Pre-cut and scored cards from neato stuff's kits or bulk cards or Full Size Template Stamps (in 4 styles) Gift Card Size Template Stamps (in 2 styles) Envelope Template Stamp (to fit gift card size) and Card stock for making actual card (8 1/2" x 11" is best) Extra Card stock for "front of support" images Backing paper (6" x 9" or larger) Envelopes for full size cards (A6 size or larger) Scrap Paper To Printable Order Form: Template Stamps To Tools Page with Shopping Cart	Tools needed: Utility Knife with #16 X-Acto blade Scoring tool Metal ruler Dryline Adhesive (or other preferred adhesive) Scissors Ink Pads and Colored Pens Image Stamps or Photographs

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HINTS! Back to Online Classes

Hint #1 -Backgrounds with ease: Hint #2 - What works? Hint #3 - How tall can I go? Hint #4 -Glues to Use:

Hint #5 -Extra Dimension: Hint #6 -Color and Inks: Hint #7 -Choosing a backing card color: Hint #8 - Envelopes: Hint #9 - Using Template Stamps:

Masking: When using pre-cut and scored pop out cards or after cutting your own using the template stamps (please see Hint #9 on using Template Stamps), you can make a mask easily for masking your backgrounds by laying a sheet of regular typing paper over the style card you wish to use and make a rubbing with a crayon.

Cut in from the center sides around the outside area on the lines that appear white. You will have three sections: a top, bottom and center, label these. Also label these with the style of card. They can be stored (and re-used) in the zip lock bag that the kit comes in.

While the card is still flat, place your center mask over the center area of your card. You may wish to use a temporary adhesive such as "Dryline Temporary" to hold the mask in place.

You can use a texture cube or background stamp to fill in your background. The thing to keep in mind is work from the bottom of the paper up (away from you), this way you can see where you are going so that you can line up the image. Your hand and the stamp will not be in the way. Stamp over the mask, being sure not to let it shift. Fill in the entire background.

Remove the mask. now your center area is blank and just the background area has design.

Reverse the process to fill in the center area.

How do I determine what to put on the supports? When making a pop out card what I like to do is choose a bunch of stamps along the theme of the intended card. Stamp them once or even a few times each on scrap paper. Rough cut them out. Then I let the cut-outs play on the steps until I'm comfortable with how they look. Not until I'm happy with the design do I stamp "for real" on the excess cardstock. Then color the images in the manner I prefer and cut them out.

Please keep in mind when cutting out the images for the fronts of the supports that you do not need to cut exactly on the image lines, this often will make the image too weak to stand up to the torture it will receive in the future---instead, cut with a bit of white showing around the image; the eye sees the image, not the edge of the card, resulting in a stronger support image and less frustration and time consumed in the trimming, leaving more time to do MORE cards.

How do you determine the correct height of an image to be used on the fronts of the supports?

One method is simply measure with a ruler, the distance from the front of the support you wish to use to the front of the card, when the card is closed, this is the maximum height you can use.

Some images will be too tall but can be adapted by chopping their feet off and placing another image in front of the feet so you don't have an idea that the feet are gone. Trimming closer can make just enough difference.

Another option is to use a product from "Alextamping" called a ballooney. Ink your stamp, set it on the table ink side up. While pulling the ballooney just slightly in the direction that you wish the image to get shorter, set the ballooney lightly onto the inked stamp to pick up the image. Turn the ballooney over and stamp onto your paper. This will achieve a slightly reduced image. If you need to reduce quite a ways pull the ballooney further.

Another option: Say you just can't use anyting but that image of the Statue of Liberty and she's going to stick out by half an inch. Well...back the card with a larger piece of cardstock.

The best way to attach images to the fronts of the supports is to use "Aleene's Tacky Glue", it will hold the longest. Use only a tiny smear instead of a drop as the drop may raise the paper due to the amount of moisture in the glue.

Glueing the backing card on to the pop out card can be done with "Dryline adhesive", rubber cement, double stick tape or glue stick. I do not recommend tacky glue or white glue because it takes so long to dry--if you close the card too soon it can slide out from the centerfold or, worst of all, the card will be glued shut if you were a bit messy.

Use mounting tape to add dimension to the card. Cut out cardstock images and attach mounting tape to the back side, these can be attached to the "sky", upper section or the "floor", lower section. You can also use the mounting tape to attach the image to the fronts of the supports instead of Tacky Glue.

Using pale colors in the background help the focus to stand out better. So keep in mind--pale in the background and bright in the foreground. neato stuff's" Pop Out Card Kits" are made of Kromecoated cardstock, perfect for using dye based or glycerine inks on. If you prefer to use a pigment ink please turn the card over and use the non-glossy side as pigment ink will not dry on coated surfaces (unless you wish to emboss the entire card).

What I do is hold the colored cards, one at a time, behind the finished card to see which color I DO NOT look at before looking at the actual card. The backing card should not stand out more than the card itself, it should simply compliment the images.

"Gift Card Sized" pop out cards have a template that will make an envelope that fit them perfectly. The template fits 3x5 cards folded in half, which is what you back the "Gift Card Sized" pop out cards with normally. These smaller envelopes seal shut beautifully with stickers. The larger "Full Size" pop outs fit into an A6 envelope, included in the kits. Whether you are making a "Gift Card Size" or "Full Size" card it is always nice to add just a hint to the envelope to give an idea of what is inside. Don't use the same stamp as the main focus of the card. Something from the background is good. Go to Order Form: Gift Card Envelope Templates

When stamping your template stamp onto the backside of your card stock, please use a larger piece than the final card intended. With the full size templates, hold the template stamp so that you can tell where the center fold lines are and aim at the center of your cardstock when stamping. Next, draw your outside lines as directed on the instructions before rough cutting around these lines. The reason for rough cutting is that you will get a much better matched outside line if you wait until the card is cut, scored, popped out and folded closed before cutting on these lines. The Gift Card size has it's own outside lines already, however, do not cut on the outside lines until it is closed as well, for the same reasons as above.

The excess cardstock around the stamped template area may be used for the support images (please see Hint #2).

IDEAS

The "Stairstep Style" pop out card is a simple card to decorate. The easiest way is use one design (a Rose?) repeatedly. Say, five times across the bottom stair four across the next step up and three across the top. It makes a stunning card with little effort.

The "Stairstep Style" is also best for beginners. Students have no trouble decorating this card due to it's symetrical nature.

However, don't get stuck on the symetry. This card is very good for all types of layout. Let the images play around before glueing them on, you'll be surprised at what may happen.

The "Stairstep" style and" Blocks" style work very well sideways. You can fit taller images in your cards when you are working sideways. The cards can be turned in either direction. Sideways is also what you do when you are making Pop Out Books--more on that later.

Use photographs. Cut the pictures out and glue to the supports. Or glue magazine pictures to cardstock and cut those out.

These cards are great for memory books, too! Simply glue the back portion to the page and fold the card up holding it in closed position with photo mount corners. Adds great dimension to your pages.

Another use of photography is the glossy magazine pages with full color pictures. Smithsonian,Country Living, etc...

Need a different background? Glue a forest scene from a magazine onto your card before cutting and scoring.

Make envelopes out of magazine pages using neato stuff's "Envelope Template Stamp".

Put images on the front support or stairstep that can be seen through. For example: Fishbowls, window frames, arches.

A quick solution when you need lots of fun invites!

Use our Gift Card Sized Pop Out Card Template stamps.

Simple cuts and smaller space to decorate is the advantage of these cards and besides they are "cute as a bugs ear".

Make envelopes using the "Envelope Template Stamp" and hand out your invitations with great pride.

The smaller sized cards, however, can not be mailed in the envelope designed for them because thry are too small for the post office. To solve this, simply slip them into a larger size envelope and mail away! 

When using a Pop Out Template Stamp you can stamp the card twice (or MORE!) side by side (on the back side of course).

When doing this, you need to line the edge of the block up with a line you have drawn an equal distance from the top edge of the card or the actual edge of the card.

The difference when making a "Double Up" card is to do the scoring first then the cutting, this way if the first stamping was slightly off from the second one you can bring the cuts down to the scores because it's the scores that are the fold.

It is suggested that the "Stairstep" style or the "Blocks" style be the template used for this technique. They have the best support and are easiest to pop out.

Our envelope template X621 will help you make cute little ones that fit a 3x5 card folded in half OR the Gift Card Sized Pop Outs (since they are backed with 3x5's)

It is a large stamp so has to be inked with a large ink pad, watercollor marker or raised ink pad.

By stamping on the back of just about any kind of paper you can make unique envelopes.

Keep in mind you do not have to use hand stamped paper. You can use old maps, magazine pages with pretty pictures on them, old calendar pages, comic strips, sheet music, commercial gift wrap (make the envelope match the gift you just wrapped).

Be sure to fold, following the directions, against a piece of cardstock to keep the envelope square.

Small pieces of scotch tape are used to hold the envelope together, not glue.

Once the envelope is finished you mail seal it shut using a sticker.

These envelopes are also great for memory books. Glue one into your book with the flaps out and insert small treasures such as lockets of hair.

PopOut books can be made with the" Full Size" cards as well as with the "Gift Card Size". The next couple of hints apply to both sizes. Please read through all these hints before beginning a book.

In short, to make pop out books all you need do is turn your cards sideways and glue two or more together. Any style can be turned sideways, though best results will be achieved with the "Stairstep" or "Blocks".

Keep in mind, when using all the same style card you will want to glue them together with the top to top and bottom to bottom making the same shape cut out match up. This not only gives better support for a book which will be opened many times but looks nicer as you view the "backstage" portion of the book.

When using two different styles you still want to try and match up large section to large and small to small for the same reason as just mentioned.

The Cover:

You will need to score a spine for your book. To do this, measure the thickness of the book at the spine when closed. Make two parallel score lines using this measurement.

The cover of the book should be flush with the edges of the card itself, not like the greeting card format, which is larger.

When making a cover you need to determine how the book will be held closed before you glue it on.

A heavy weight board will close the book with out any closures.

Lighter weight cardstocks need the use of some sort of closure due to the bulkiness of the pop outs within.

One way of closing the book is a ribbon tie. This can be attached to the outside of the cover or run inside, between the cover and the book. To do this inside option, glue the ribbon to the indide of the cover and let dry before attaching the book to the cover.

Another closing method is a loop and button. Literally sew a button onto the book and devise a loop of ribbon, string, elastic or yarn to go around it. Two buttons with a string tied to one and then wound around each in a figure eight manner is very nice too.

When making PopOut books using the gift card size template stamp you will notice that there are two outer lines that you can cut on. The outside line is the one to choose for books. It gives more support when gluing the cards together and makes the book actually 3"x5" size.

Your book will be bulkier than a simple card. To make the envelope template fit your book you will need to measure the spine again. Make a little strip of paper this width. Stamp your envelope template onto the backside of your envelope paper. Hold the strip up against the outside edge of the envelope line and make a mark this distance all around the envelope. Cut out on this line, moving the dots (for folding) out diagonally. Fold as before.

Attach 4 cards together as you would for a book, but bringing the last pages around and gluing them to each other. The holes left as you look down make a perfect place to place flowers. How about balloons?

Decorate in a sideways manner.

4 sides, 4 seasons?

Try a set of "Full Size" cards with a set of "Gift Card Size" stacked on top for a Christmas Tree effect.

 The Product -- Kits and Templates

Two Support

Comes in pre cut and scored kit form along with the Stairstep design (4 of each). Your choice of Pastel or Rainbow Backing paper. Code: P1p or P1r	Also available as a Rubber Stamp Template Code: POT1 Check your local store for cards in bulk.

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Stairstep

As a kit this design comes alone (enough to make 8 cards-Code:P3p or P3r) because it is the most popular. Easiest to use and decorat. Or get the kit with the Two Support style (4 of each).	Choose Pastel or Rainbow backing cards. Template Stamp is" Full Sized" Code:POT2 or "Gift Card Sized" Code: X622

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Columns and Blocks

Pre cut and scored so you can spend your time decorating instead of cutting. Comes with the Blocks style (4 of each), also pastel or rainbow backing cards. Code: P2p or P2r	Or as a rubber stamp template. Code:POT3
Columns style (4 of each), also pastel or rainbow backing cards. Or as a rubber stamp template. Code:POT4 Either way this is a quick and easy card. Check your local store for cards in bulk.

More of the Styles - Templates Only

Gift Card Size Stairstep

The original Pop Out Template Stamp.

Stamp on the backside of cardstock, cut, score, decorate and pop out. Three steps up gives dimension to your cards. Code:X622.

Templates have the added benefit of being cost effective. Make hundreds, thousands, millions!