Before I close this series on Cupcake Wrappers, I thought that it is important to include some information that I was not able to put in my video tutorials. My version of the "Cut-and-Print" technique is just one of the many ways of simulating the Cricut Imagine, but with equipment that you already have. I continue to learn of other ways of achieving the same results. You are welcome to share your experience and opinions with me as I am open to all advice and suggestions on how I can improve on my techniques.
To recap, the "cut-and-print" cupcake wrappers tutorial is basically:
Step 1: Print outline, Cut wrapper and Adhere over printout.
Step 2: Print full image on adhered cutouts
Step 3: Assemble
Having said all that, here are a few additional tips:
Tip 1: To save ink, when you make the first print that will be used as the base to stick the cutouts on, instead of printing the entire image, you can just print an outline. There are 2 ways to do this:
(A) After you have designed your wrapper and save the image, Duplicate the layer. On the layer copy, right-mouse click and Select Pixels. On the top menu, choose Select>Modify>Expand. In the video tutorial, I entered 10 to enlarge the image by 10 pixels. This is the layer with the full image.
To create an outline only page, Duplicate the layer that you have just created with the expanded image. On this duplicate layer, choose Select Pixels, then Select>Modify>Contract and enter 15. Press Delete and you will be left with only the outline of the image.
Toggle the layers by closing or opening the eyeball to view and print the required pages.
(B) If Method (A) seems too involved, you can always Duplicate the image layer and then use the Eraser Tool and delete off the inside of the wrapper, leaving only an outline. I prefer Method (A) as it leaves a cleaner outline.
Tip 2:
Before I print the final image on the cutouts, I fill the empty slit rectangle with the Eyedropper and Paint Bucket tools. That way, I can avoid printing out an empty/white box if I did not position the cutout precisely over the outline. You may also use the Magic Wand tool to delete the rectangle.
Tip 3:
I used the wrapper size of 7.7" x 2.6" for the standard cupcake. You can always adjust the size to fit any cupcakes that you are baking. For Mini Cupcakes, I found that 5.25" x 2" was perfect for the scallop edge wrapper.
For this wrapper, I used Lettering Delight's Flower Power graphic set.
Tip 4:
Let your imagination fly with these cupcake wrappers. You don't even have to print on them if you are out-of-time. Just stick some pattern paper onto the mat and cut or let the kids have a go at them. I found that my kids were thrilled to decorate their own wrappers. That will be a great idea for a kid's party where the little guests get to decorate their wrappers themselves. All you have to do is cut a bunch of wrappers out with Make-the-Cut and the Cricut and let the kids get creative with them.
Tip 5:
In Make-the-Cut, the Beziar Wrap tool can be used to create unique cupcake wrappers cuts. I have not personally tried this but a long discussion can be found on the MTC forum.
I hope that you have enjoyed this cupcake wrapper series. If I missed out a step or two, do know that it was not intentional. I have designed my tutorials so that it is as easy to follow as possible. If you think that I went too fast, just click on the pause button. ;-) While the steps may look intimidating at first, it is actually a very simple concept. It takes about 10mins to create the cut and the print files and the cutouts. Once you have the basic wrapper shapes, just save the file and you can have your own personalised cupcake wrappers any time you want. Just change the patterns, graphic image or text, and you are good to go. Most importantly, have fun with these wrappers. Feel free to leave your question anywhere on my blog and I will try to help.
Finally, to close my first series of tutorials, I thought that it would be most appropriate to end it with my first giveaway. Check back on Monday (Sept 27) to find out what I have in store for you and to enter your name in the giveaway. Here's a hint:
Enjoy your weekend!
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