Move over, vintage brass candlesticks! It's official: the wedding world has entered its silver era. While thrift stores may have been picked clean of gold decor after a decade of millennial weddings (guilty as charged), today's couples are embracing the sleek, modern, and undeniably chic appeal of cool-toned metallics.

If you're dreaming of a contemporary, editorial-inspired aesthetic but want to stay mindful of your wedding budget, we have the ultimate high-end Cricut DIY idea for you!

Today, we're showing you how to make gorgeous metallic silver wedding table numbers that look professionally pressed. It's giving vintage silver platter meets modern wedding elegance! The secret weapon? A Cricut Maker and a technique called debossing. Don't worry if you're a total beginner! We're breaking down exactly how to achieve this ultra-luxe look step by step.

♲ ECO & CHIC: Hoping for a low-waste wedding, too? You'll especially love this project because most all silver embossing foil is made from pure aluminum, so these table numbers are 100% recyclable after your big day!

The Quick Scoop on Embossing versus Debossing with your Cricut

In the wedding world, we absolutely adore embossed details! But did you know that debossing is its equally gorgeous sister technique? If you've seen these two terms used interchangeably online, you're not alone. They're actually opposites, and it's easy for anyone to mix them up.

Here is the easiest way to remember the difference:

➤ Embossing raises the design. The image is pressed from the back of the material so it rises towards you, creating a raised 3D effect.

➤ Debossing indents the design. The image is pressed into the front of the material, creating a recessed impression or groove.

Why this matters for your DIY table numbers

Traditional DIY embossing usually requires a manual die-cutting machine (like a Sizzix) using plastic embossing folders. Because your Cricut is an electronic cutting machine that presses from the top, it instead uses a specialized Debossing Tip (specifically the Fine Debossing Tip #21 combined with the QuickSwap housing unit for the Cricut Maker) to create indented designs.

For this project, we'll be debossing our foil metal sheets to create elegant recessed lines.

However, because this metal foil is flexible and identical on both sides, you can also easily get a raised, embossed effect if that's the look you're wanting. All you have to do follow our steps below and then "mirror" your table number designs on the Prepare screen. When the tool presses the design into the sheet, you'll simply flip the metal over when you're done to reveal beautiful raised numbers!

In other words, with this inspiration, you can get the precision of Cricut debossing (or traditional embossing) depending on your style preference – the best of both 'bossing worlds!

How to Make Debossed Wedding Table Numbers with Your Cricut Maker

Skill Level: Beginner

Supplies Needed for These Metallic Table Signs

• Cricut Maker cutting machine
• Fine-point blade
• Debossing tip + QuickSwap housing unit
• LightGrip cutting mat (not brand new; used mat is recommended)
• Embossing foil metal sheets (with thickness of 0.07mm)
• Washi tape or painter's tape
• Brayer
• Craft foam sheet (optional)
• Scoring stylus (optional)
• Our Oval Table Numbers Cricut Design Space project (bookmark or make it right now!)

DESIGN NOTES: For our project template, we used Design Space-sourced images designed by Cricut Contributing Artists which means you will need a Cricut Access subscription or purchase the images as a one-off to make as is. You can also swap out and use your own computer's images and fonts as you wish.

Base Material Setting for Embossing Foil Metal Sheets

In Design Space, find this material option for correct cutting: Foil Poster Board

Compatible Cricut Machines

• Cricut Maker family

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the QuickSwap debossing tool, our tutorial was designed with a Cricut Maker machine in mind. Alternatively, you could also experiment with other Cricut machines using the foil transfer tool (minus the transfer sheets) or scoring stylus for similar results. For this DIY, we will be doing the tried-and-trusted method with the debossing tool for beginner's ease.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Debossed Silver Metal Table Numbers

1Prep your project. Set out all of your materials and prep your computer, laptop, or mobile phone with Cricut Design Space. If using our pre-made Design Space project, all you have to click is Customize to add your required numbers as the layers are already pre-formatted with the correct operations for debossing and cutting!

2Resize and add numbers as needed. Adjust your size if you wish. Our table numbers measure approximately 6 x 5 inches (15 x 12cm). They are a big enough size to be seen from afar for your guests and small enough so they lean against your table centerpieces easily.

We've only set up numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 in our project, but you'll, of course, need other numbers! In the Layers panel, click Duplicate on each attached group until you have the number of ovals you need.

When you expand the attached group of layers, you'll see three layers for each table number: "Table Number," oval frame, and offset. You'll need to replicate this setup for each table number. Delete the duplicated "numbers" from each group, and replace them with the missing numbers you need to complete your set.

FOR THIS TABLE NUMBER SET: This font style is available for Tables 1-20. You can find matching numbers for this set on Make with Chelsea's Design Space profile under the Images tab. For easy finding, type "Table Number" in the profile's search box. Add each needed number image to your Canvas, and use Contour to remove the "table" word from the design. Resize as needed, then match the operation settings to the rest of your table numbers. Be sure each table number's layers are still Attached once you're done so everything debosses and cuts together!

3Setup your mat. Place your first foil metal sheet onto the blue LightGrip mat. Use a brayer to ensure the foil is firmly adhered to the mat. For used mats, apply washi or painter's tape around your metal foil's edges to help keep it in place when being cut. If it moves ever so slightly, it can jam into your Cricut machine causing miscuts and loading issues. (Just ask us how we know this! Oops!)

IMPORTANT MAT RECOMMENDATION: We recommend using a used mat instead of a brand new one so your foil peels off easier. New mats can be too sticky and can result in rolled, crinkly foil when removing from your mat. Not only that, we found that with a new mat you won't get as deep of debossed lines! See below photo for comparison visuals.

4Deboss and cut. Load your debossing tool into your Maker if not done already; your machine will deboss first, then prompt you to replace it with your fine-point blade when it's time. Depending on the foil you're using, you may need to do some test cuts to ensure you have the proper base material setting. Click Go and let your machine do its thing!

SETTINGS NOTE: For our type of Folia-brand embossing foil that has a thickness of 0.07mm, we found the "Foil Poster Board" Design Space setting debossed and cut our foil sheet perfectly.

5Remove foil from mat. Flip the mat over so everything is face down. Carefully, peel the cutting mat away from the debossed table number while keeping the foil as flat as possible. Go slowly to avoid any ripples or bends in the foil. With old mats, we found it falls away very easily on its own. If your foil curls, use your brayer with medium pressure to roll over the top to help re-flatten.

6Repeat as needed. Make as many table numbers as you need for your wedding day. Set aside until you've got your complete set.

7Touch up if you wish. (optional) While this step isn't seen in our photos, if you'd like to see more debossed/embossed lines or to add any handmade details to your table number, place one of your ovals on a craft foam sheet. Using a scoring stylus, trace the lines on the front or back side of your table number. Foil can be forgiving to an extent, so don't be afraid to experiment with pressure and technique until you achieve the look you want!

Top Tips for Embossing Foil By Hand

• Trace in long, single strokes. Avoid "sketching" over lines, as it can create uneven impressions.
• For more defined raised lines, trace along the outside edges of the debossed lines rather than directly on top of them.
• Always work on a foam sheet to help the foil emboss more easily.
• Apply steady, even pressure rather than pressing hard in one spot. Pressing too hard can puncture the metal.

7Store away for the big day. Now keep your table numbers flat in a folder or box until it's time to display!

Frequently Asked Questions: Debossing with your Cricut

Can I use aluminum foil for this project?

Unfortunately not for these table numbers. Household aluminum foil is very thin and tears, wrinkles, and deforms easily. Craft embossing foil or metal foil sheets are thicker and sturdier, producing much better results. You can certainly experiment with it, but we wouldn't recommend it for elegant wedding table numbers!

Can I use cardstock with a metallic finish instead of embossing foil?

Yes! If you prefer the look of metallic foil cardstock, it will work with the debossing tool, too. However, this type of material won't allow for additional hand embossing if that's the look you're after. Your Cricut can only press down from the top, and the cardstock is typically too thick to create raised embossed details from the back side.

Can I deboss foil with a Cricut Explore machine?

Not with Cricut's Debossing Tip, as the QuickSwap tools are only compatible with Cricut Maker machines. However, you can experiment with a scoring stylus or Cricut's foil transfer tool (without the foil transfer sheets). While they won't create as deep an impression as the Debossing Tip, they can produce similar indented line effects that you can then hand deboss/emboss afterwards.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
Tutorial Photography and Video: Chelsea Barton

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