Heat Embossing Tutorial
Nothing says "Christmas" like some lovely gold or silver embossing, am I right? In case you are new to stamping, or have been wondering how to do it, here is an illustrated tutorial for your edification and enjoyment!
You will need:
Embossing Buddy (103083 $9.50)
Powder Pal or scrap cardstock (Powder Pal 102197 $37.95)
Versamark (102283 $13.95)
Embossing powder (Silver 109131 $8.95)
Heat Tool (106586 $49.95)
Small Paint Brush
Stamps and Paper, naturally!
Step one:
Swipe your cardstock with the Embossing Buddy - this will minimise, if not eliminate stray embossing powder going where you don't want it to. Your fingers leave small traces of oil etc on the cardstock, which attracts the embossing powder. So believe me, it DOES make a difference.
Step two:
Ink up your stamp in Versamark and stamp your image. Versamark is a clear "sticky" ink which can be used alone to create a gorgeous watermark effect, or for heat embossing as we are about to see, due to its slow drying nature. Normal Classic dye ink is totally unsuitable here as it will dry almost instantly.
You will need:
Embossing Buddy (103083 $9.50)
Powder Pal or scrap cardstock (Powder Pal 102197 $37.95)
Versamark (102283 $13.95)
Embossing powder (Silver 109131 $8.95)
Heat Tool (106586 $49.95)
Small Paint Brush
Stamps and Paper, naturally!
Step one:
Swipe your cardstock with the Embossing Buddy - this will minimise, if not eliminate stray embossing powder going where you don't want it to. Your fingers leave small traces of oil etc on the cardstock, which attracts the embossing powder. So believe me, it DOES make a difference.
The Embossing Buddy IS your friend! |
Step two:
Ink up your stamp in Versamark and stamp your image. Versamark is a clear "sticky" ink which can be used alone to create a gorgeous watermark effect, or for heat embossing as we are about to see, due to its slow drying nature. Normal Classic dye ink is totally unsuitable here as it will dry almost instantly.
See the watermark impression? |
Step three:
Sprinkle embossing powder of your choice over the Versamark. Now you see why you need the scrap cardstock or Powder Pal - you tap the excess powder back into the container (this can be messy). Use the paintbrush for any stray bits of powder that are stuck in the wrong spot.
Sprinkle embossing powder of your choice over the Versamark. Now you see why you need the scrap cardstock or Powder Pal - you tap the excess powder back into the container (this can be messy). Use the paintbrush for any stray bits of powder that are stuck in the wrong spot.
I tend to keep all my most used embossing poders and glitters into these handy Glad containers, as they are easier on the clean up than the little pots they come in. |
Step four:
Melt the powder with a heat gun. Yes, you CAN use a toaster; but I don't recommend it as people have burned down their kitchens that way! Do NOT try to use a hairdrier instead - it isn't hot enough and will just blow the powder off. I've also heard of people trying to use an industrial heat gun - it is too hot and will scorch the paper. Use a craft heat gun, people, please. This is not the type of thing you want to mess with.
Keep the heat gun on the powder until you see it change - looks magical! Don't overheat it, or the image will look flat instead of raised. You can also scorch the paper if you hold it too close or for too long. This is something you need to practice, as your heat gun might be slightly hotter than mine, for example.
Keep the heat gun on the powder until you see it change - looks magical! Don't overheat it, or the image will look flat instead of raised. You can also scorch the paper if you hold it too close or for too long. This is something you need to practice, as your heat gun might be slightly hotter than mine, for example.
Again, Glad to the rescure! I find a tray helps me not burn my fingers and reflects the heat, speeding up the process. |
1 comment:
Just embossed 40 cards! The embossing buddy IS my friend. You can pick the ones where I forgot to use it. I now have an embossing kit with the embossing powders, versamark pad, heat gun, the buddy and a small paintbrush, plus a plastic takeaway container that I use instead of a tray to catch the excess.
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