Faux Fabric Technique featuring Graphic Florals Hero Transfers

April 29, 2025

Anna Mahtani

Hello! Anna here with a technique on how to create a faux fabric look using inks and hero transfers for a lovely Mother's Day card. I will be using the Graphic Florals Hero Transfers for my card.

For the background of my card, I will use a combination of Hero Core Ink Cubes in the color Summer Sky and Green Apple. Using the edge of the Green Apple Core ink cube, I gently swipe it across a white cardstock panel in one fluid motion. I continue to swipe in one direction until the panel is covered in ink, then I swipe it once again in the other direction. Then I do the same with the Summer Sky ink cube to create a two toned effect. This technique will create a faux fabric effect.

Next, I take the whole sheet of the Graphic Florals Hero Transfers and cut it down just slightly larger than the cardstock panel. I will lay it on top of the background I had created and run it thru my die-cutting machine using the same sandwich I use when die-cutting. Add another piece of cardstock on top to act as a shim for added pressure so that the design transfers fully onto the cardstock.

I slowly peel off the transfer paper and if there are any that haven't transferred fully, I just take a bone folder or the popsicle stick that comes in the package and rub the area until the design sticks to the surface of the cardstock. I cut the panel down to 4"x5.25" and heat emboss the edges with gold embossing powder. Then I added foam dimension to the back of the inked panel and adhered it onto a 4.25"x5.5" horizontal top-folding card base.

I die cut two pieces of the "Happy" sentiment out of Mustard Cardstock and one additional piece using navy cardstock. The "Happy" sentiment die is from the Happy Thanks Stamp & Cut XL set. I glued the two pieces of the mustard sentiment together for added dimension. Next, I stamped the lower half of the "Happy" sentiment with Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink and heat embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder.

After heat embossing the sentiment, I added the navy piece on the back slightly offset as a shadow for the sentiment. Next, I added a "Mother's Day" sentiment, gold heat-embossed on navy cardstock and adhered it to the middle right of the "Happy" sentiment. The sentiment is from the Everyday Sentiment Strips Stamp Set. Then I glued the die-cut sentiment on the bottom right of the cardstock panel.

I hope you were inspired to give this technique a try and if you do, don't forget to tag @heroarts on social media so we can see your beautiful creations!

Have a wonderful crafty day!