Embossing Tutorial

Hello!



Wanted to do a quick tutorial. Embossing is one of the most versatile techniques in card making and scrapbooking. This is the best definition I could find regarding the type of embossing I am referring to.

em·boss 
To decorate with or as if with a raised design


Let's jump in! This tutorial will cover how to emboss and even show you how acrylic stamps work.


Here are the basic supplies that you will need. 

(Clockwise from the top) 1. Versamark Ink 2. Acrylic block 3. Studio G acrylic stamp
 4. Darice Heat Tool 5. and 6. Embossing Powder

Most of these items were bought from Michael's, AC Moore or Joanns. Versamark Ink costs roughly $7 but is very useful and worth the investment. With this and different stamps, you can create your own pattern paper! Acrylic block and stamp are from the dollar bins of Michaels. There are many different varieties all year round to be found. Heat tool might look like a blow dryer. But these are a little bit different in that it gets MUCH MUCH hotter. The heat needs to get hot enough to melt the powder.  These are about $20. I searched for a 40% off coupon for Michael's and purchased it for a lot less. Embossing powder comes in sparkles, clear, color, texture etc. Possibilities are endless!

From left to right:

Peel the arylic stamp from the packaging. Place it on top of the acrylic block. It should stick well. If you have problems with it sticking to the block, wash it with soap and water and dry with a paper towel and try again.

Take the versmark ink and place the ink on top of the stamp. I find this technique equals better ink coverage. 

Hold the acrylic block and stamp onto a piece of paper. You will be left with a darkened image of the stamp. You can always use the versamark for this purpose as well. It takes a little bit of time for it to dry but if you needed a subtle background image, you can use versamark ink to make the impression. 

Otherwise, pour the embossing powder over the image. Shake off the excess and you should be left with a white image of the fish.

Turn your heat gun on. CAUTION! Do NOT touch the end as it gets hot enough to burn. Be careful where you point the heat too. I've had carpet fibers burn up because of the heat. In slow motions, wave the heat gun over the fish. Be careful not to keep the heat gun in one area for too long as it can burn and warp the paper.

As the powder begins to melt, move onto a different area. You will be left with a bumpy/raised image of the fish!

The end!

I want to end the post with my process of creating a card. Pictures are fairly self explanatory in explaining my chaos when it comes to creating a card.

Hi! Just because.