Basic Grey’s Precision File Set– Making it easy to personalize raw chipboard A great way to add dimension to any scrapbooking page is to incorporate personalized chipboard.One of the best features of chipboard is that your options are virtually endless as chipboard can be used to form alphabets, frames or more.Another thing that makes using chipboard so practical is that you can personalize is with your favorite paper or paint so that it matches your taste and design exactly the way you want it.

Now, one of the tough things about using chipboard with paper is that it’s not always easy to make the paper look like it’s part of the board.You don’t want it to look like you glued the paper and have messy or crooked edges on the final piece.One of the best answers to this problem is Basic Grey’s Precision File kit.. It’s affordable, nimble and really easy to use.The kit features six files: 2 flat boards, a round file, a half-round, one square file and a knife file. The different sizes let you to go with the file that best fits into the small corners and grooves of the chipboard.

To start, select your raw chipboard and paper that you want cover onto it.

Select a liquid or gel adhesive (like Zigs 2-way glue) and apply evenly over the entire chipboard surface.
Place the paper over the chipboard and allow it to dry (following the glue manufacturer’s directions).Trim the excess paper at the edges of the chipboard.Try to follow the chipboard shape as closely as possible, keeping in mind that it’s o.k. to have a bit of overhang over the piece.Certainly you could use scissors or a knife to trim the paper, but I’d suggest using a swivel knife because it allows you to cut around corners with more precision.

Next, use the files to shave the excess paper away.The round, half-round and square files are wonderful for corners, such as the inside of a capital “A” or in the corners of the letter “k”.

For a nice touch, you might consider inking the edges.Each file in the Basic Grey Precision File set has a rubber comfort grip. They can also be used for distressing paper, paint and even photos.

For more scrapbooking tips and information on scrapbooking tools or scrapbooking ideas, visit http://www.scrapbookingtools.org.