| This is a simple technique using Rubber Stamps and | | | | unusual compositions. |
| Thermal Embossing that will add dimension to your | | | | The final step is to direct hot air from your heat tool |
| cards and artwork. Nothing looks as elegant as a | | | | over the powder. This will melt the powder and create |
| stamped image that has been embossed in gold and | | | | the Thermal embossed effect. |
| has rich color added to enhance your artwork. | | | | EMBOSSING POWDER comes in many different |
| You can use rubber stamps and thermal embossing | | | | compositions. Metallic Powders such as Gold, Silver, |
| on many different surfaces such as paper, glass, | | | | Bronze or Pewter can be used with the embossing |
| wood, leather, tile and ceramic objects. It's fun to | | | | inks, either tinted or clear. Using slightly tinted or clear |
| experiment and create your own unique and individual | | | | ink with Metallic powders will produce a true metallic |
| sense of style. Don't be timid and have fun. | | | | effect. Although the Metallic Powders can be used |
| The following steps will teach the beginner where to | | | | with colored inks to achieve truly remarkable effects |
| start Embossing with rubber stamps takes practice | | | | such as tinted copper and aged pewter. |
| and the more you do it, the better your results. | | | | Embossing powders comes in many Opaque colors |
| Remember your art is unique to your personal style. It | | | | as well as soft subtle Pearlized Powders and Clear |
| reflects your personal experience. It conveys your | | | | and also Glitter Powders. |
| emotions. So use your imagination! Use color!! | | | | You can experiment by mixing your colors and your |
| The colors you choose to use with your rubber | | | | effects. Pearlescence are soft and gentle colors that |
| stamps can convey your personal style and make a | | | | are excellent for pastel effects and baby or wedding |
| statement. Reds reflect warmth and blue can reveal | | | | themes. Clear Powder gives you image a raised |
| cool and soothing moods. Greens and violet contain | | | | glossy effect and looks stunning on dark papers and |
| both warm and cool elements. | | | | objects. |
| MATERIALS: | | | | Tinsels or Glitter Embossing Powders can be Clear or |
| Rubber Stamps | | | | Opaque. Gold Embossing Powder with fleck of ultra |
| Embossing Ink Stamp Pad | | | | fine gold glitter in it create a very beautiful and |
| Embossing Heat Gun | | | | dramatic effect. |
| Embossing Powder or Tinsel | | | | Try mixing you powders colors and adding some glitter |
| Something to stamp on | | | | or confetti in moderation for you own unique recipes! |
| Choose a paper or craft object to Emboss. Don't limit | | | | A heat gun is the easiest method to melt your |
| yourself to just plain paper. Rubber stamping and | | | | powders and create the even glossy embossed |
| embossing works well on fabric, glass, mirrors, tiles and | | | | effect. But if you do not have one alternative sources |
| terra cotta pots. Experiment with a variety of papers | | | | of hear can be utilized Do not try a hair dryer this does |
| and transparencies, shrink plastic, laminated sheets, | | | | not get hot enough and will blow the powder off the |
| wood and metal. | | | | card. You can try using your oven by placing the card |
| Ink and stamp your image on your paper or craft | | | | face up on a baking sheet and putting it into a |
| object using a slow drying Pigment Ink Pad. | | | | preheated 325 degree oven. Be careful you do not |
| Tap your rubber stamp firmly several times on the | | | | over heat or your card stock will be scorched. A hot |
| Embossing Ink Pad in order to completely ink the | | | | iron will also hear the back side of the card and melt |
| stamp. Make sure the rubber is completely covered | | | | the powder. |
| with ink. Always stamp a new rubber stamp onto a | | | | A hot toaster can be used by moving your card stock |
| piece of scrap paper for the first time to make sure all | | | | back and forth over the top of the toaster until the |
| areas of the image are well inked. Place your rubber | | | | image is melted. A good heat gun is a worthwhile |
| stamp firmly on the paper, being careful not to rock | | | | investment. |
| the stamp. Rocking will result in blurred lines. Large | | | | TIPS AND TROUBLE SHOOTING |
| rubber stamps require more care in pressing down on | | | | A good tip to help with the static on your card stock is |
| all corners of the stamp. Each rubber stamp is | | | | to wipe the card with a fabric sheet before stamping |
| different and you will learn how to best stamp each | | | | on it, this helps reduce unwanted flakes from sticking. |
| one. Some need more pressure in order to get the | | | | A time saving tip when embossing replications of the |
| perfect image. | | | | same rubber stamp image is to stamp and cover |
| The difference between pigmented inks and dye inks | | | | several images with embossing powder at one time. |
| is evident in that the Pigment inks stay "wet" longer. | | | | This allows you to use your embossing gun on several |
| Pigment inks do not work well on glossy card stock | | | | pieces at once without stopping and starting constantly. |
| unless you are EMBOSSING the image. There are | | | | The ink is slow drying and several cards at a time can |
| many choices of slow drying pigment inks with slight | | | | be safely done by using this method. |
| tints to dark shades or no color at all. | | | | Using plastic kitchen containers with lids for storage of |
| After rubber stamping your image with pigment ink, | | | | you powders works well and also makes it convenient |
| sprinkle embossing powder over the image. Turn the | | | | to set up and put away your craft. A spoon with a |
| artwork and gently tap off excess embossing powder. | | | | pointed tip is useful in sprinkling the powder onto the |
| Use a dry paintbrush to remove any stray flecks from | | | | card stock. |
| surrounding areas. Do this before you heat the image. | | | | Good lighting is essential to your rubber stamping |
| If the powder is not sticking to the image in even | | | | success. If your embossing is dull and not raised then |
| heavy coats check to be sure you rubber stamp is | | | | you may be overheating it. If the image is lumpy and |
| well inked. | | | | granular you many not have heated it enough . If the |
| Keeping your embossing powder in stackable plastic | | | | image is incomplete you may need to press the rubber |
| containers will allow you to catch the excess powder. | | | | stamp more firmly on the pad and re-ink if necessary, |
| Alternatively collecting excess unused embossing | | | | also check to be sure you are pressing all corners of |
| powder is easy if you use a file folder or a sheet of | | | | the stamp onto the paper. |
| glossy paper torn from a magazine under your card | | | | If you have completed your image and a line is missing |
| stock, then transfer the powder back into the jar. Pick | | | | you can purchase an embossing pen to draw the |
| up the paper by its edges and use the centerfold as a | | | | incomplete line. Also you can use a sponge or tissue to |
| funnel to direct the powder back into the jar. | | | | dab the embossing ink onto the cardstock to be used |
| Embossing powders also come in a wide variety of | | | | as background color or effects. |
| choices, from Ultra Fine to Tinsel. Both the pigment ink | | | | Have fun, be creative, don't be afraid to use color and |
| and embossing powder are available in many color | | | | enjoy you rubber stamping hobby all year long. |
| choices as well as metallic, pearlescent and other | | | | |