Scrapbooking 101: Faux Glossy Metal Letter Tiles

Awhile back, I promised a tutorial on how to make your own faux glossy metal letter tiles.  Unfortunately I got busy posting other projects and am just now sharing the tutorial.  I don’t know if you’ve seen the glossy metal letter tiles in scrapbooking before.  Here’s an example of what the real thing looks like:

I’ve seen black tiles with white letters as well as some that are a mix of colors.  That was the look I wanted to duplicate for a scrapbook page.

Faux Glossy Metal Letter Tiles

1) Start with a die-cut letter & a piece of cardstock measuring slightly bigger than the letter.  Round the corners of the piece with a small corner rounder if desired.  My letter was die-cut with a Go Go Boots Alphabet Medium Sizzlet Die in the Big Shot.  My cardstock piece measures 1 x 1-1/2 inches.  I used textured cardstock for a unique look, but plain cardstock works just as well.

2) Adhere the letter to the cardstock.

3)  Apply a thick coat of Crystal Effects to the cardstock & letter so that the entire piece is covered. 

4) Now allow to dry completely.  Now repeat the steps again, giving a 2nd coat of Crystal Effects to the entire piece.  Here’s my finished faux tile (with just one coat of Crystal Effects).  

Here’s how the faux tiles look on a scrapbook page.

Alternative method:  Another means to get a similar faux glossy metal letter tile look is to emboss your cardstock piece.  Start with the letter adhered to a piece of cardstock.  Apply Versamark to the entire piece, sprinkle with clear embossing powder, then heat set.  Repeat this process 1-2 more times. 

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Whimsical Tip: If your Crystal Effects has been sitting unused for some time, you might find that some of the liquid has hardened in the tip; thus, preventing any liquid from coming out.  Simply stick the pointed end of a paper piercer inside the tip of the Crystal Effect and turn it a bit to dislodge the hardened liquid.  You should now be good to go.  Be sure to wipe off any Crystal Effects liquid from your paper piercer before it hardens.