TOOLS OF THE TRADE::DECKLED EDGE RULER

Deckled-Edge-Ruler-Besotted-Blog jpgI love details. What details? All of them, on everything. I think simple is very beautiful, but sometimes the addition of a subtle detail like deckled edges on your stationery can elevate it to another level. Years ago I found an interesting ruler at the craft store that would create the edges I coveted.  It was a hideous looking tool, bright metallic purple (why are all craft tools purple?), I spray painted mine gold. It comes with two edges for creating the deckling. One edge you’ll need to ignore, it will make your stationery look like something from the Flintstone’s, not the elegant detail we are after. What makes this tool so remarkable is the simplicity of use, you are basically tearing the paper or cardstock against the fine jagged edge. You just place the ruler (really, I write ruler but I have never measured with it and neither will you) on top of the item you want to create the edge on, leave a bit of paper sticking out so you can grasp it and just rip against the edges.  Viola! You have a beautiful, organic edge. Could you use a straight-edge ruler? Yes, but your tear will be more uniform and will be absent of the interest created by the jagged edges on the deckled ruler and it will look like you just ripped your paper and that’s not very elegant right?  It will take a few times to get the hang of how much pressure to use, but after the fourth time you should be able to zip through stacks of paper. What paper is best?  Light-weight paper to medium weight cardstock seem to rip the easiest. This looks great on photos if you print on matte paper. If you want to tear your own watercolor sheets, which usually come with only one deckled-edge you will now have in your arsenal the ability to tear on all four sides. Think of the possibilities–place cards, gift tags, menus. This is perfect if you are doing any sort of DIY event from weddings to holiday parties.  I think it’s another great tool to have and I use mine all the time. It would be especially great if you are a chronic d.i.y’er, photographer, event planner, or artist, so basically the entire blogosphere. Have you ever tried anything like this before?  If so any tips or tricks that I have missed here?

Author / Miss Tristan B

Miss Tristan B. is the proprietress of Besotted Brand and the writer of this delightful blog. She recently re-located to the country with her handsome husband and two pups and will be re-locating back to the city in the very near future.

27 thoughts on “TOOLS OF THE TRADE::DECKLED EDGE RULER

  1. I didn’t even know such a ruler existed. Before I was old enough to use scissors, my mom taught me how to cut paper by creasing it backwards and forwards and then carefully tearing it. That’s what I have been doing for an “interesting” edge. This is so much more elegant! Thanks.

    1. Sirisha I didn’t know either, but I was trying to figure out how to do the deckled edges and I asked someone at the craft store and they showed me this hideous purple monstrosity, lol. It works really well though!

  2. GASP! I’m so excited! I’ve attempted the straight tear which takes forever to get a look so fine. One spasm and you have to start again. Wretched luck, that.

    1. Amy, I think the key to a good tear is knowing which way the grain is, like fabric. I can never remember which way is which so I am no help there, but that’s the word on the street!

  3. I like how you spray painted yours Tristan! I agree, deckled edges are a very nice detail. Mine is pretty old and ugly which made me search to see what others exist these days: http://www.dualedgeripper.com/ I think mine was a few (and by that I mean under $5) get a load of the prices now!!!!

    1. Denise, I saw a heavy duty one that was super expensive, I wish I had buckets of money, lol! Oh, yes, I really needed to spray it because it was SO purple and if I don’t have it at the ready I will forget I own it.

    1. Thank you for the wishes for a great weekend, I plan on it! Gintare this tool would be great for table settings, I know you like to shoot food, so it’s fun to have in the craft arsenal.

    1. Kathy always check Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or whatever craft store is near you, almost every week they generate 50% off coupons! And they have them on-line too;) I never shop retail!

  4. thank you for sharing – I would never know about rulers like this!!! & as I live in Poland with limited stationaries and hobby craft shops, I have no choice other than use only orange and green pens and rulers (sometimes HelloKitty and Spiderman patterns) – so I’m spray painting all my stationaries today :) I love your idea!!!

  5. Thanks for the great resource!
    p.s. I just tried to pin this post to remember it for later but for some reason no image comes up.. it could just be a problem with my computer but maybe the link isn’t working? Just wanted you to know!

  6. I got an amazon gift card for my birthday, and part of it just went towards one of these. :) It helps that you posted about this because I think I would have passed it by in the store, assuming it wouldn’t work that well. Glad to know differently, and I can’t wait to use it!

    1. I LOVE Amazon gift certificates! Amber just remember that cardstock is near impossible and if it’s cottony type paper/stock it will work the best AND don’t use the larger size, it’s so horrible!

  7. Hello! I am going to be doing this for my wedding invitations; I am wondering what weight of paper/card stock would be suitable to print on that will still look high quality and allow me to tear? Thank you soooo much!

    1. Hi Lindsey, I think it should be relatively thin cardstock at most, but I would buy some sample paper and do some test. it’s good to get the hang of ripping and also to find out how thick you can tear comfortably:) Congrats on your wedding!

  8. Do you know where you can find that exact “ruler” you mention? The link you have to amazon is sold out.

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