What you’ll need: design printed on cardstock or paper, craft knife, cutting mat.

1. Place the cardstock with the printed design facing you on the cutting mat. Make sure you’ve printed the design on the back of your cardstock if there’s a noticeable texture.






2.Use the craft knife to cut along the printed lines, starting with the inside areas first. For the smoothest results, turn the paper—not your hand—as you cut.









3.Once you’ve finished cutting, use a pair of microtip scissors to clean up any rough spots. Don’t toss the leftover piece of cardstock. You may find a use for the negative shape.