Did you know there are two kinds of embossing? One is heat embossing where you melt emboss powders with a heat tool and the other is called dry embossing where you use a stylus and stencil or an embossing folder to create a raised design in your card stock.
I used BOTH types of embossing on these cake cards & I’ve got some great tips to share with you today!
First, the only difference between these cards is that I colored in the larger flowers on the card on the left with the Seaside Spray Stampin’ Blends.
I wanted to make a card with that beautiful cake stamp, but I didn’t want to do any coloring. The uncolored card on the right is perfect for my tastes, but adding color to the large flowers is one way that you could “step it up” as they say.
Tips for Heat Embossing:
- Rub an embossing buddy across your card stock first thing to eliminate static and keep extra emboss powder from sticking to your card stock where you don’t want it. This is a quick step that makes a BIG difference!
- Stamp your image with ink that stays wet long enough for you to add embossing powder and heat it. I prefer the VersaMark pad but you can use any pigment inks that you have.
- After you’ve stamped your image, cover the entire image with emboss powder. Gently tap off any excess powder.
- Control the “mess”: Store your embossing powder in a flat, square Ziploc container and use a spoon to apply it.
- You may want to “pre-heat” your heat tool. Then gently wave your heat tool across your image until all the powder has melted into a shiny image.
- If your paper starts to warp and curl, alternate heating it from the top and bottom.
Basic Heat Embossing Supplies:
Whisper White card base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″
Seaside Spray embossed background: 4″ x 5-1/4″
Scalloped Rectangle: 2-15/16″ x 4-1/16″
It’s been years since I used a stylus and stencil to emboss, so today I’m skipping straight to embossing folders.
Tips for Using Embossing Folders:
- Embossing Folders can be used in many different machines and all machines are different. As you play around with building different “sandwiches” you may want to note what works best for your machine.
- If your folder pattern is barely visible after running it through your machine, you’ll want to add more layers. Try an extra sheet of card stock on top or a shim if you have one. Want a deeper design? Add more layers of card stock on top of your sandwich!
- Your “sandwich” should be tight running through your machine, but don’t force it! If it seems like it doesn’t want to go through, make your sandwich thinner. You don’t want to break anything!!
- If your card stock “cracks” after using an embossing folder, try spritzing your paper with water first. This breaks up the fibers of the paper and will give you better embossing.
Dry Embossing Supplies:
Now I’d love to know… Have you tried either type of embossing before? Did I share any tips that were new to you? Leave a comment and let me know.
Happy Stamping!
Jessica
P.S. Want to learn even MORE about how to use embossing to take your cards to the next level? Join me in Step Up Your Cards with Die-Cutting and Embossing!
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Hi Jessica…I was looking forward to the dry embossing tip using a stylus and stencil as I do not have nor want a machine at all for my stamping needs…I am an old school stamper who uses stamps, inks, paper and scissors…I would appreciate any help you can give me for the stylus and stencil old fashioned way of dry embossing!!! thanks so much…Happy Stamping…Bev
Hi Bev, I looked through my old posts and found this one about dry embossing with a stamped image and a stylus: https://www.inkitupwithjessica.com/add-texture-wit/ I couldn’t find anything about using a stylus and a stencil but if I remember correctly, you would use a light box, then put your brass stencil down, then your card stock and the light would help you see where you needed to rub your stylus to emboss the design. Hope that helps!
Hi Jessica,
How does a heat embossed design stand up to creasing? I’m thinking about doing a design on an envelope liner, with some of it running through where the envelope would crease. Do you think it would work?
Hi Joyce, I think you should try it! There’s a chance that it might crack where it’s folded but I think there’s a good chance it would work. You won’t know for sure until you try! Let me know how it goes. 🙂
Hi there, I have used a stylus and stencil embossing, and you are right, you do need a light box. But mine have always been very successful, and of course you can colour the final result f you wish.
Hope this helps someone.
I am a French (old) lady who doesn’t know what a stylus is . Could you explain ?
If you can’t find an embossing buddy, can you replace it by something else ?
Thanks for answering my two questions .
A stylus is a tool the size of a pen with a small round knob on the end. I know some people use a dryer sheet instead of an embossing buddy or if you search the internet you can find instructions on how to make your own embossing buddy/anti-static bag. Hope that helps!
I do have the embossing machine and the ink and powder to use and heat. Love reading new things to make
Thanks for stopping by Linda!
Hi Jessica. What is the Emboss Resist Technique? It’s listed on the Winter Stamping List and I’ve never heard of it and it sounds interesting.
Thank you.
Hi Jinny, Here’s how to do the Emboss Resist Technique: Stamp an image in VersaMark on white card stock, add clear emboss powder, and heat. Use a sponge, sponge dauber, or blending brush to apply colored ink over the embossed image. The image will resist the ink! Use a tissue to wipe excess ink off the embossed image. I’ll have to do a video tutorial on that one soon, but I hope that makes sense. Thanks for asking!
Thank you Jessica. I am going to try this technique next week. Merry Christmas! May the 25th be a joyful, peaceful day with time to reflect on why we celebrate Christmas.
God is Love and Love came down at Christmas in the form of a tiny Baby. That’s a favorite thought of mine.
Thank you so much, Jinny, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Spritzing the paper with water was new to me. I’m going to have to try it just for fun!
And I forget one can heat from the back of card stock if it is curling so thank you for the reminder.
Your instructions are so clear and simple.
I’m also happy you post comments as I’ve seen the words ‘Emboss Resist’ but didn’t know what it is. I think I’d like to try that sometime also!
Yes, Debbie, try spritzing your paper just for fun! I really need to do a video on Emboss Resist because that’s a really fun technique as well. Thanks for commenting!