*Updated December 26, 2015 to add new pictures of my die storage as well as new categories!
Until now, I’ve been storing my dies like this and it worked fine until I got so many dies that I needed three containers to hold them! I didn’t have room for all the containers and it was starting to take a long time to find what I was looking for so I took a hint from my new stamp storage and updated stamp inventory and have switched them over to magnetic pockets, as well as having created a new die inventory notebook on Evernote (more on that later!)
I started by planning and gathering my supplies:
Dies, of course!
Die Storage Pockets – After much debate and trying several different options, I decided to stick with what works already and use these Avery Elle Stamp & Die Storage Pockets.
Dividers – A lot of people follow Jennifer McGuire’s advice and buy poly/plastic folders and cut them up, or you can do what Nichol Magouirk does and use these DVD Dividers. (Company went out of business but here is a link to more dvd dividers – http://amzn.to/2DkTxMd) However, I’m on a budget so I copied my idea from my Stencil Storage Solution and have decided to cut up pieces of good, sturdy cardstock (Bazzill Card Shoppe in Candy Necklace) from my stash and run it through my laminator.
Laminator & Pockets – If you are making your own Dividers, you will need a laminator and laminating pockets. This is the one I use from Purple Cows. The pockets I use are from AmazonBasics.
Cardstock – Any cheap cardstock will work fine for this. I used Georgia Pacific cardstock which you can get at Amazon for 9.95 (for a pack of 250 sheets!)
Magnetic Vent Covers – These are made to cover up air conditioning vents but the magnetic material is strong and ease to cut down and is much more affordable than any other magnetic material I’ve found. I bought a bunch of these for less than $5.00 a pack (you get 9 storage cards out of one pack) and am cutting them to fit my pockets and to hold my dies.
A Storage Container – *NEW 12/26/15 – I am now using this InterDesign Fridge and Freezer Storage Bin, 8-Inch by 4-Inch by 14.5-Inch, Clear to store my dies in.
I used to use the InterDesign Fridge and Freezer Storage Bin, 12-Inch by 4-Inch by 14.5-Inch, Clear in my craft room already that was empty (it used to hold my mists before I moved them to my Ikea Rakskog cart) so I am putting mine in there, however, if you have a smaller collection or don’t like the size of it, you can also use this: InterDesign Linus Pantry Pullz Organizer, Medium
Labels – I happen to have a TON of labels left over from my new stamp storage and they work great so I’m using them. They are the Avery 8167 Return Address Labels. (Much more affordable than using my Brother P-touch label maker when you have a large collection like mine!
Color Coding Labels – This product is optional, but because I don’t store my dies WITH my stamps (I’m OCD like that), I chose to purchase these 1/2″ teal color coding labels and put one on each stamp and die storage pocket that has a coordinating stamp and/or die.
Label Maker to label the Dividers – I used my Brother P-Touch Label Maker.
Printer: Finally you will need a printer to print your labels. Most of us already have one but here’s the one I have just in case you are in the market for a new one. I also use this printer for foiling with my minc machine. I will have a post on my new laser printer coming soon. (Search my blog for “laser printer”)
Die Storage Categories
*Updated 12/26/15
The first and most difficult step of this entire process was going through my dies initially and deciding how to categorize and store them. I have decided to store mine by category and I took note from the categories on the MFTStamps.com website because I find them easy to use and so my categories are:
- Accents – This includes misc. dies that don’t fit in any other category
- Alphas & Words – All alphabet and word dies
- Backgrounds
- Borders
- Card Elements
- Banners & Labels
- Tags
- Other
- Floral
- Nested Shapes
- Pierced & Stitched
- Diagonal Stitched
- Double Stitched
- Frames
- Pierced
- Plain Shapes
- Themed Dies
- Birthday
- Christmas
- Easter
- Floral
- Other
- Pet
- Thanskgiving
- Stamp Companions – I no longer use this category or it’s sub-categories because I bought a Brother ScanNCut and no longer need stamp companion dies
Instructions to Create Your Own Die Storage Pockets & Inserts:
- Let’s start by creating our pocket inserts which will hold the dies. Using any cheap 110lb cardstock (I used Georgia Pacific from Walmart) cut each piece so that it measures 5 3/8″ 7″.
- Cut the magnetic vent covers to fit onto the cardstock inserts you just created. I cut mine to 5″ x 6 7/8″.
- Using my ATG, I glued the newly cut magnetic material on to the inserts. This is what it looks like at this point.
- Attach dies to magnetic insert and place the insert into the storage pocket.
- Add a label and/or a color coding sticker to your new die storage pocket and voila! You are finished! Here is a photo of a completed die storage pocket.
Instructions for Making Dividers
- Using a thick cardstock (I used Bazzill Card Shoppe in Jawbreaker).
- Run it through your laminator inside of a laminating pocket.
- Trim off the excess laminating material and cut in half to 7 3/4 x 5 1/2″
- Add a label using your label maker or label sheets (I used my Brother P-touch Label Maker)
Completed Die Storage
Here is what my newly completed die storage container looks like filled with my dies (half of it is filled with large stamp sets stored in Stampin’ Up’s DVD cases).
To watch this video in HD click here.
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Jann Schott says
Thanks for linking your Evernote Die inventory. You were smart to take a picture BEFORE you snipped all the pieces!!! I wish I had thought of that.
Instead of using the Avery Elle envelopes, I decided to go with something a little larger. It’s a 6×8″ 4mil reclosable bag. I think because I’ve lost very small dies (luckily I found them!), I’d like to ensure the bag stays closed. I’ve placed some dies on cardstock with magnet strips (Joann’s sells a really large adhesive roll for a great price, especially when you use coupons). I’ve also just placed the card that came in the package into the bag for reference. I do need to work on my Evernote Inventory though.
My dies in the reclosable zipper bags are currently in one of those Thirty-One Fold-n-File totes. I had the dies in there before in all sorts of holders–old CD clear boxes w/o the hub, the thick clear plastic that the dies were originally in, and zipper baggies of various sizes.
What categories do you organize your dies? Just by the company or more specific (borders, stitched, holidays) Thanks.
Kat says
I use more specific categories, I have them listed here. http://kathleendriggers.com/die-storage/
Hi! What are stamp Companion dies and why do you no longer use them because of your Scan-n-Cut??
Hi Stamp Companion dies are dies that match a stamp set. I still use them on occasion but I try to use my scan n cut most of the time. It saves me a lot of money on dies! Thanks for the question.
Thank you for doing your video. I am organizing using the same method as Jennifer Mcquire but can’t afford to use a label machine. Love the idea of using the Avery return address labels. Good job. I’m also going to use your categories for storing dies and stamps.
Yeah these are much easier and less expensive than the label maker. I have the same label maker Jen uses but I only use it for a few things because of the cost. Glad to have been able to help you in your organizing quest 🙂
I just finished organizing several of my dies sets using your great idea! I love it! The dies take up less space, and I can see exactly what I have in seconds. Thank you for sharing. Now I have to buy more supplies to get the rest of my dies organized!
Great ideas! I want to do this, but really want a more colorful storage container. Any ideas on this, or can I cover the refrig. boxes? Thanks!
I’v enever heard of anyone covering the boxes but it’s a great idea! I would probably line them from the inside out though cause i’m not sure how well glue would stick to the outside. Just a tip 🙂 I’d like prettier boxes myself but can’t find matching ones in the right sizes. I did find some baskets teh other day here but not the right color for my room http://www.luckyclovertrading.com/baskets-c-1.html
I have a combination of your old storage (artbin) andyour new storage:-) I store all my large dies,spellbinders and such, on the artbin sheets, and any set with small dies in pockets (those tiny hearts always dissapear). I also store stamp/die combos in pockets. I have some empty sheets for the art bin box, and I use that when I go to crops.
I’m wondering what you do for your stampin up stamps and dies? Do keep them in their cases or do put them in with the other clear stamps/dues envelope?
I keep them in the Su cases 🙂
I just now am seeing this post and I love the ideas!! I’m definitely going to follow this for my storage. What size Avery Elle storage pockets are you using?
Hi, I now use the large and extra large ones. large for 4×6 stamps and extra large for 6×8 or odd sized stamps 🙂