For my brag books I use templated pockets, tags, pages etc. and customized them for each brag book that I make. The customization can be from welding images to adding embellishments or even just decorative paper.
In this post I will show you step by step how to customize a flap or pocket that involves cropping and welding to give a lovely cut out effect. This technique can be used with any item and design element.
Step 1 Item to customize
Once you know what you want to customize, make sure you have resized it to fit your project. There are so many uses for this technique that it is difficult to list them all. I am going to use a narrow pocket and a flower image that can be inserted in a brag book. Your project could be part of a greeting card, scrapbook layout, wall hanging, sign, stencil and more.
Step 2 Design or font to be used
I use designs I create myself as well as designs and fonts from places like Silhouette Design Store, Creative Fabrica (my affiliate link), designs from Google search, Pixabay and more. As mentioned, I am using a flower image.
Some important thing to consider are:
- Make sure that your font/design is not too delicate as it may rip easily
- If you font or design is thin, use an offset of about .005 to make it easier to cut.
- If the design or font is too intricate or small as it may rip while cutting, try to use simpler larger designs
- Look for smooth curves vs sharp angles
Step 3 Arrange your file
Arrange your items in Silhouette Studio so that you are happy with the finished size of the project. If there are multiple layers like score line, ungroup all layers first.
narrow pocket 
Step 4 Cut out a space
Next you need to cut into the narrow pocket. To do so you need a size cut out of the pocket that allows your design of the flower to fit in to the space but have a little over lap. I am using a circle to cut out the space I need and it is a tiny bit smaller than the flower design.
Step 5 Subtract
Next, position the circle so that it is in the middle of the pocket. I am using only half of the circle to cut into my pocket as seen in the photo below. Once you are happy with the look of the cutout section, use the subtract feature.
Step 6 Weld
Position the image (flower) in the space created and once you are happy with the result, choose WELD feature.
Step 7 Finish up
Notice that the image of the pocket has no score lines (dashed line) that is because once you use the weld feature, it brings the result to the front. To correct this, send the image (pocket) to the back so that score lines are visible
