Tuesday Tutorials

Today it’s Spike on Tuesday Tutorials. We (at Scrap ‘n Stamp) thought it would be great to get back to the basics.  It’s a great way for novices to pick up basic techniques and a review for experienced crafters.  If you’d like to see  other technique basics, please drop us a message or an email on what you’d like covered on Tuesday Tutorials and we’ll do our best to do them!

Heat embossing is melting embossing powder, where it creates a raised and glossy image. Heat embossing to me just adds that finishing touch to projects and I usually use it on all my stamped sentiments. Before we dive right in to embossing, let’s talk tools because having the right tools makes the job so much easier!

Heat Gun Heat embossing needs something hot enough to melt the embossing powder. Craft heat guns are made specifically for this purpose to provide a hot, focused heat. Hair dryers aren’t hot enough. I know some folks have tried using the heating elements on their stove but I strongly don’t recommend this! Burns and fires can easily result!

Embossing Powders
There’s a difference in embossing powders and each have their own specific use. Some are coloured, some have sparkles or glitter. In the picture below are both clear embossing powders. Fine Detail on the left and Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) on the right. There’s also regular clear embossing powder where the crystals are a little larger than the Fine Detail Powder but difficult to see the difference because of the size.

The powder on the left, notice how fine the crystals are compared to the coarse crystals on the right. Fine detail embossing powder is used for intricate images or images that you want to may colour where there are fine lines, best for sentiments. Regular embossing powder is great for general use, larger and lesser detailed images. Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel is perfect for areas where you want create dimension or a glass like appearance.

The Perfect Printing Pouch It’s anti-static. It’s very helpful when working with coloured embossing powders to prevent stray powder from sticking. (Of course it works with clear embossing powder too, it’s just not as noticeable.) The Perfect Printing Pouch is a felt pouch that contains a white powder that prevents static when applied to your paper or cardstock before stamping.

Ink (yes, we will be doing a tutorial on all about inks, it’s on the list! 😉 )
Somehow the embossing powder has got to stick to the image long enough to melt it and depending on the ink used, the ink will help the powder stick.
Pigment inks usually stay wet long enough to make embossing powder stick to it. I like to use Tsukineko’s VersaFine Ink but one should sprinkle the embossing powder on top, immediately after you stamp your image as the ink is fast drying.

Dye inks usually dry really quickly, that by the time you sprinkle the embossing powder, nothing sticks!  On the other hand, Ranger’s Tim Holtz Dye Distress inks DO work, they take a little longer to dry so it’s perfect for embossing. If you’re unsure about your ink, give it a try!

VersaMark Ink It’s a clear ink that stays wet longer and is slightly sticky.

These are made for embossing! (and watermarking too!)

Let’s begin! Using the VersaFine Ink.

1. Take the Perfect Printing Pouch, tap it on your cardstock and then drag it along the length to smooth the anti-static powder.

2. Stamp the image in Onyx Black VersaFine. I’ve used the Inkadinkado Clear Stamp Set, Floral Flourishes

3. Cover the image with fine detail embossing powder. (I like to store my embossing powders in a disposable hard plastic sandwich container with a plastic spoon, it makes it sooo much easier to collect the excess powder. Plus prevent it from getting all over the place!)

4. Next tap off the excess embossing powder back into the container.

4. Heat the embossing powder using the heat gun.  (Now others may do this differently and that’s okay, it’s what is most comfortable for you!)  I like to heat it from the back approximately 3-5 inches away.  This is so I can see where the embossing powder is melting.  One thing to have handy is a clothespin or tweezers to hold the image and save your fingers!

See on the right, where the powder is melting? After an area has JUST melted, I move the focused heat onto another spot. Be patient! I’ve burned far too many images because I’ve been impatient. Also, heating in the same area for too long will overheat the embossing powder where it will completely liquefy and be absorbed into the paper.

Move the heat gun around until all the embossing powder has melted.

And there you have it an embossed image!

Now, if you’d like to use a quick drying dye based ink. It’s a two part process made easy by using acrylic stamps.

1. Prepare your paper as in #1 above using the perfect printing pouch.
2. Stamp the image using the dye ink. I used Memento Rich Cocoa

3. Clean the stamp. Then ink with VersaMark Ink and reposition over top the stamped image and stamp.

4. Sprinkle with embossing powder and tap off excess.

5. Heat.  The results will look the same as above, it’s just using a different ink and using clear VersaMark.

Lastly, using the VersaMark alone.

1. Prepare your paper as per #1 above.
2. Ink up your stamp using VersaMark, in this case I used the VersaMark Champagne Dazzle.

3. Sprinkle with embossing powder and tap off excess.

4. Heat
Voila! (the blue hue is from a reflection)

(with camera flash, I included this photo as you can see the gold sparkles in the embossing)

There you have it, heat embossing! One of my favourite techniques that I use very often but with anything, it does take a little bit practice to get it to work just right!

Here’s a card that I made with some of the parts from this tutorial.

I used a black 0.5mm fine liner for the fine detail dots around the image and a white gel pen on the background.

Thanks for stopping in on today’s Scrap ‘n Stamp Tuesday Tutorial! Have a fabulous day!!

Love,