How To Get More Cards From One Die Set

Posted: 10/06/2026 Cardmaking Tips

Looking to get more out of your die set? It’s easier than you might think to breathe new life into your dies with these 5 ideas for creating unique cards from your favourite Carnation Crafts dies.

Rotate your card bases for distinct-feeling cards

Clean & Simple: Radiant Petals Cardmaking Kit

Rotating your card bases is an easy way to create cards that feel fresh and new from the same die set. Try turning your rectangular card bases 90 degrees to go from portrait to landscape, or turn your square card bases 45 degrees to create a diamond-shaped card. A layout that feels familiar and overused instantly looks fresh and new when you’ve changed the orientation.

Try different colours of cardstock

Clean & Simple: Precious Pansies Cardmaking Kit

If your cards are looking a bit same-y, try playing around with the colours of cardstock you use. The very same die set can look elegant when paired with white or cream, or bold and fun in bright colours. Even if you use the exact same layout, changing up the cardstock colour palette can make each card feel brand new!

Trim into your die cuts to fit new shapes

Clean & Simple: Bellflower Blooms Cardmaking Kit

Don’t feel confined to using your die cuts only as they come through your die cutting machine. Snipping into your floral sprays gives you the flexibility to create entirely new compositions. In doing this, you can make your die cuts fit any card base you have ready, without the need to purchase new dies.

Mix and match other die cuts in

Clean & Simple: Glorious Gardenia Cardmaking Kit

If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, one of the easiest places to get inspiration from is often your own craft stash! If you’ve got a card base you really want to use, try reaching into your stash to see what other die cuts you can add to the mix. You might find yourself surprised at the combinations that look great together!

Use your mat layer dies as card bases

(Left) Window’s Light Collection, (right) Beautiful Bundles Collection

Die cuts don’t have to just be toppers on larger cards. For a completely unique silhouette, try using the mat layer of the topper itself as your card base! All you need to do is cut out two of the mat layer dies and score along the top of one of them. Attach them together, add your topper, and you’ve got yourself a completed card base from only one die set!