Heat Embossing 101

by Lisa Ricords

Heat embossing is a fun and easy way to add dimension and texture to your scrapbook or cards.

Supplies: Embossing or Pigment Ink, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Basic Steps:

1. Stamp your image with an 'embossable', or wet, ink. My favorite is Versamark but you can use any pigment ink or embossing ink.
2. Pour embossing powder over the stamped image.
3. Tap off the excess powder and return it to its container.
4. Heat the powder with a heat tool such as the Colorizer from EK Success or Heat It from Ranger.
5. When the powder melts and turns shiny STOP heating. You're finished! It's that easy.

If you're trying this technique for the first time, here are some tips for a perfect embossed image

Tools of the Trade

Before stamping your image, lightly rub over the cardstock with a dryer sheet or other static puff to remove static. By doing this you reduce the chance that stray particles of embossing powder will stick where you don't want them and cause that splattered look on your project.

Tidy Trays are plastic trays that catch the excess embossing powder. Their "spouts" make it easy to return the leftovers to the container. Some folks use a file folder or a large sheet of paper instead of the plastic tray. With either method it's a good idea to run your dryer sheet over your tray first to remove static so the powder doesn't cling when you're trying to put it away.

Embossing Inks

The most common embossing inks are Top Boss, Big n Bossy and Versamark. All of these inks are sticky and slow drying which allows the powder to stick to the paper until heated. For a fun variation, Big n Bossy comes with both black and clear embossing ink.

Embossing Powders

(known as "ep" on message boards and websites) come in nearly unlimited color choices and finishes. You will also notice that it comes in 3 grain sizes. Regular - excellent for most of your embossing projects, Fine - great for detailed images with fine lines, and Ultra Thick (UTEE) - which is used for many advanced techniques.

Heating

You can heat the powder from the underside or from the top. You will know when it's finished because the powder will melt and look glossy and smooth instead of grainy. If you continue to heat the powder after it's done, it will liquefy and soak into the cardstock. This will cause the image to flatten and blur. You can also warp or burn your paper if you heat too long in one spot, so keep your heat tool moving as you emboss.

Remember, that heat tool gets pretty hot. It's not a hair dryer! So keep your hands clear of the tip. You may want to hold on to your project with tweezers or pliers.

Tips & Tricks

• Try using colored pigment ink and a hologram or other specialty embossing powder for a really neat look. see snowflake tag below
• Blend your embossing powders for unique colors and effects. Ranger has a terrific recipe book, or just go for it!
• Paint with embossing powders. Stamp a large image with clear ink, then sprinkle several colors of embossing powder over it. see butterfly card
• Ink your stamp with versamark then with dye ink and emboss (in place of craft ink and clear ep).
• Clear Emboss any image on white cardstock. Sponge over it with one or more dye ink colors. Gently wipe excess ink from embossed image.
• Sprinkle embossing powder directly onto cardstock and emboss several layers of metallic UTEE or regular metallic EP. Gently press inked stamp into warm melted powder to make an impression. Cut out around the stamped image for a custom metal charm or embellishment.