Basic Skills - Embossing

There are two types of Embossing; Heat Embossing, using stamps and Dry Embossing, using stencils.

To Heat Emboss you will require:

Stamp Slow drying ink pad Embossing powder Heat gun Baby wipes Wooden clothes peg

See Stamping section for help and information on choosing stamps and stamping itself.

You need to start with a flat surface. If you are used to stamping you can stamp directly onto the card but if not it is better to stamp onto a small piece of card or paper and then mount this onto your card. Start by cleaning your card with tissue or cotton and a small amount of talc. If you are using a shiny or textured card it helps to stop the embossing powder sticking to parts of the card you don’t want it to stick to.

Load the stamp up either by slow drying ink pad or special embossing ink pens. This is so that the ink does not dry out before you have put the embossing powder on, normal ink pads dry too quickly. It does not matter what colour ink you use, it is the actual colour of the embossing power that defines the the outcome (unless you use clear embossing powder).

Lay the image on a scrap of paper that has been folded in half and then opened out. Cover the complete image with you chosen embossing powder and then tip off the excess. You can then pour this back into your tub for reuse. This is where the clothes peg comes in handy. If you are stamping onto a small piece of card then hold it with the peg. You must ensure the heat gun is angled at about 45 degrees. Hold the gun over a small section of the image and hold until the powder starts to turn shiny then move to the next part until complete. It is best to start with a metallic powder until you get used to the look of the powder as it turns.

Hint: Use a baby wipe to clean your stamp after use.

To dry emboss you will require:

Light box Embossing tools Stencils Masking tape Polystyrene sheet approx. 1cm thick or thick felt

You can dry emboss onto card and paper, but I really like the effect dry embossing has on vellum and craft foil.

For paper, card and vellum:
Place your stencil onto the light box and secure with masking tape.

Place your card or vellum over the stencil in the correct position and secure.

Using a large embossing tool, pressing lightly, work your way around the stencil. You will see that vellum turns white when embossed.

You can highlight the image on card, by gently rubbing ink or chalk over the raised part.

For Craft foil:
Secure the foil to the polystyrene sheet and then place your stencil on top. If you are using text you will need to place face down so that it is in reverse.

Use a large embossing tool and very carefully press the tool into the foil. The foil is very easy to tear so be very careful, you can always go over it again if you want but if you press too firmly and tear it, you can not repair it.