Save Your Shim From The Bin With Sticky Roll!

Posted by Toni Wilderspin

As a fellow crafter and die cutter, I’m sure you’re all too aware of exactly how easy it is to do this…

One small lapse in concentration and you’ve got posh holes in your magnetic shim!

Now normally, unless the pieces fall out, I would leave them in place and continue using the magnetic sheet as usual. But this time I had some help from some little fingers….
So, being a typically frugal crafter and never wanting to waste anything, especially something that can easily be decorated using Sticky Roll, here is a video tutorial on how to save your shim from the bin and make some gorgeous magnets! Or if you you prefer, please continue reading for step by step instructions with photographs.

Step One

How to apply release paper to Sticky Roll

First take some release paper and cut it to the correct size for the die. If you don't have any release paper you can use some discarded liner from a previous Sticky Roll project. Place the release paper shiny side down onto your sticky roll and trim around it. Remove the release paper and place the sticky roll back onto the roll for safe keeping.

Step Two

Next we are going to die cut the release paper, making sure that the shiny side is facing outwards from the die. The excess paper will be left in the dye so that when we add the magnets back into the die and apply the sticky roll, you won't end up with a very sticky die!

Step Three

How to place Sticky Roll on your release paper covered Die

Take the shapes cut from the magnetic sheet and reposition them back into the die.

Now retrieve the pre-cut sheet of sticky roll and place it down onto the die.

Now normally, I always recommend placing materials down onto your sticky roll, but as we don't want the magnets to fall out, we're going to make an exception!

I find that the best method for placing down sticky roll is to curve it in the middle, place, and then smooth out towards the edges.

Step Four

And now we run this through our die cutting machine once again, I ran mine through a couple of times as the magnetic sheet is quite thick.

Step Five

Remove your magnetic shapes from the die

When you remove the sheet from your die cutting machine you may find that not have cut all the way through the liner, but the main thing is, that when you pull the sheets away it has cut all the way through the sticky part of the tape. Remove the rest of the shapes get ready to decorate!

Step Six Store your shapes on release papers

If you need to place the now sticky magnets somewhere safe before decorating as I did, just pop them onto some release paper or spare sticky roll liner.

I have decided to glitter my magnets but you could also apply gems, pearls, or many other embellishments.

So, as always, pop down some paper before applying your glitter.
I find the best way to apply glitter to sticky roll is to begin by pouring a liberal amount of glitter over the shapes, tap, rub and pinch.
Flick off the loose glitter, and then brush away any remaining access
(Please don't use your posh blending brushes for this part!)
Then pull the remaining glitter back into the pot, and repeat as desired!

If like me you'd like to add a few gems, simply pick up your flat pack gems with either a craft knife or gem picker, I'm pop them into position directly onto the sticky roll before adding your glitter.

And now from our sad little magnetic shim with interesting holes, we have some gorgeous new magnets! I've not decided if mine are going to live on the fridge or the notice board yet. Where are you going to put yours?

Magnets from an accidentally cut magnetic shim

I really hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and it has given you something a little different to do with your sticky roll and saved your Shim from the bin!

If you’re one of ‘those’ crafters (like me!) who has their fingers in many crafting pies, you might also like

How to use Sticky Roll with electronic cutting machines

How to Stick Down Die Cuts Easily!

along with some of the other craft tutorials over on the blog.

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And if you'd like to find out more about all the super crafty things you can do with Sticky Roll please go to

Sticky Roll - Less time gluing - More time crafting!

Please let me know if you have any questions or leave a comment below, and as always…

Happy Crafting!

Toni x

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