If you’ve worked with vellum, you already know it’s versatile, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. Vellum’s delicate-looking transparency belies its sturdy nature. Use it alone or in conjunction with other paper or card stock as an overlay. Decorate with it, print on it, create things with it. It’s a favorite of scrap bookers and paper craftsmen.

LCI has a great selection of translucent vellum in a variety of clear, pastel and bright colors. Small vellum overlays are also available to enhance handmade invitations with an extra layer of elegance. These overlays can also work as an easy printing solution if your invitation uses a thick or textured backing card that is difficult to print on. Check out these simple invitation wraps where a single sheet of colored vellum makes all the difference.

If you want to jump on the vellum bandwagon but need a boost, here are some crafty and creative suggestions on how you might use vellum.

Try creating a vellum envelope and transform your plain-Jane number 10 envelope into a thing of beauty. Depending on your envelope’s contents, experiment with the color and pattern of the vellum so it enhances or mutes whatever’s inside. To make an envelope, unfold a regular one to use as your template. Fold the vellum the same way and glue together.

Showcase a special photo by matting it with vellum. Layer it with card stock or printed paper. For a more dramatic effect, tear the vellum mat. If you cut it with decorative edge scissors, be careful, as bending or creasing can leave white lines.

Speaking of photos, try printing one on vellum. You can achieve some incredibly unique results by doing this. Experiment with placing the printed photo on different colors or textures of card stock. You’ll be impressed with the masterpiece you create. For printing high-quality color photos, the perfect choice is Color Inkjet Photographic Vellum, an optimal solution to get bright color and detail on vellum.

Vellum makes great tracing paper. Place a light-colored sheet over a picture, logo, or handwriting style that you’d like to copy and then trace away. Be careful of smudging.

Make a vellum pocket on a scrapbook page. It’s simple: fold a sheet of vellum in half and attach it to a heavyweight card stock with adhesive. Slip items like cards, pressed flowers, or other treasures inside for safekeeping.

When combined with different colored papers or card stock, vellum can mute a bright tone, add a softening pattern, or even change its own color. Try weaving together a few one-inch strips of different colored vellum to create a plaid background. Your creative imagination holds the key to success with vellum!

Finally, a few tips about working with vellum. Because vellum is not as porous as other papers, some adhesives don’t work well with it. Your best bets are vellum adhesive (which you can buy in rolls of tape) or glue sticks applied sparingly. Also consider using brads or paper fasteners or punching holes and tying with ribbon. These methods add additional charm to your project and don’t leave any unsightly glue marks to mar your creation.

When printing with vellum, laser jet printers typically work best. If you use an ink jet printer, be sure to allow plenty of time for the ink to dry. Another great solution for ink jet printing on vellum is the Perfect Printing Pouch. The pouch applies a binding agent to the vellum that allows the ink to properly adhere to the paper for great results.

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vellum
scrapbooking
creative envelopes
vellum ideas
vellum invitations
diy invitations