A. Die-Cut Machines

Having a reliable die-cutting machine is key. Here are two excellent choices:

Diamond PressGrand Marquise Die Cutting Machine: Offers a large 7.25″ opening, supports 3D embossing and a wide range of die sizes—great for versatility.

Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine: A stable, manual machine with an 8.5″ platform and the Universal Plate System—very compatible with many dies.

B. Dies & Formats

Make sure you have a good A2-size die (4¼" × 5½") for standard card sizes. We have some great ones here: A2 Card Bases

Also consider layering dies, nested frames, and themed dies (animals, sentiments, etc.). Here are my favorites: Rectangle Nesting Dies

C. Cardstock

Choose good weight cardstock: 80 lb to 110 lb is a solid range for cards.

Make sure it’s acid-free, so your cards stay in good condition over time. You can see our wide range of colors here: Stamps of Life Cardstock

D. Adhesives

Use adhesives suitable for cardstock layering, intricate die-cuts, and embellishments.

Liquid glue for fine details, tape runners for mat layering, foam tape for dimension.

Here are my favorites: Best Adhesives

E. Embellishments & Extras

Embellishments: sequins, gems, epoxy dots, ribbons, die-cut shapes, felt. Here are some fun ones: Embellishments

F. Sentiment Dies / Stamps

Have a set of sentiment dies or stamps—versatile for many card themes (hello, birthday, thank you, etc.).

Pro Tips

Use heavier cardstock for your card base so it stands up well (e.g., 80-110 lb).

For intricate dies, adhesive sheets work better than bulky adhesives.

Make sure your die-cut “sandwich” is set correctly for your machine to get clean cuts.

Save off-cuts and scraps, they’re great for layering or die fragments!