How to emboss step by step

Hello there! Today we’re here with a new scrapbooking tutorial for beginners. This time we are going to explain you how to heat emboss!

Heat emboss is a widely spread technique which consists on creating raised patterns or images in your projects to give them more dimension and texture. The concept can be a bit misleading since there are two main embossing techniques: dry embossing and heat embossing. What’s the difference?

Dry embossing

This is the type of embossing done with the use of Embossing Folders. You will need to use a pressing tool, such as Sizzix Big Shot or Sizzix Texture Boutique. You can create your raised patterns on paper, cardboard, foil, vellum…

Heat embossing

This technique is much more complicated but the results are astonishing. Briefly explained, heat embossing consists on adding embossing powders to an image which has been stamped with ink. Once dry the appearance is glossy and hard. The resulting effect is one-of-a-kind! The essential, irreplaceable tool for heat embossing is the heat gun.

Materials:  

• Embossing powder: transparent, golden, black, white, silver…
• Heat gun: this tool has nothing to do with a domestic hairdryer, so it cannot be replaced by one. Hairdryers apply more air than heat, so they will blow away the embossing powder and it won’t melt uniformly.
• Transparent ink-glue: such as Top Boss or Versamark. The embossing powder will stick to this ink that works as a slow drying ink. You can also use other slow drying inks (e.g.: ColorBox) and transparent powder. You will achieve a glossy raised effect with the colour of the ink used on the background. Nowadays there are new glue formats, like the marker, which allows you to write and draw freehand.
• Of course, you’ll need stamps. Whichever: small, large, silicone or rubber stamps.
• In addition, for best results, you can use an Anti-Static Pouch to make it easier for the powders to adhere only where you have applied the ink; and a Glitter and Embossing Powder Funnel, to help you collect the embossing powders back into the bottle.

Step by step:

Before starting with the instructions, here you have some pictures of wood embossing, which looks very nice too! To work on this surface, first you have to make sure that it is smooth and polished.

The first thing to do is to rub the Anti-Static Bag over the surface. This way you get the powders to adhere only where you are going to apply the ink. Then, we ink your stamp with your Top Boss or the one you've chosen. If you’re using a silicone stamp you have to place it before on a methacrylate base for detachable stamps.

Stamp your image on the desired surface: wood, cardboard or paper. Put the Glitter and Embossing Powder Funnel under your material (you can also use a sheet of paper) and pour embossing powder over your image to cover all inked areas abundantly. Don’t be afraid of using too much powder since all the leftover will be reused.

Then, you have to pour any extra embossing powder to your piece of paper. Remove any stray powder particles from the paper by firmly tapping or thumping the back of it.

When you're done, remove the cap from the funnel or fold up the protective page if that's what you've used, and put the powders back into its container.

It’s turn now to use your heat gun. You mustn’t put it too close or the powder will overheat and burn. You should start by an approximate distance of 10 cm and get closer slowly. You’ll see how all the embossing powder particles start to fuse, acquiring that glossy finish.

You can now start practising and having fun with heat embossing!

We hope that you have found this post useful, mostly for those of you who are beginners in the scrapbooking wonderful world. In the following video you can see the step by step and some inspiration ideas for your projects: