More information about Embossing

Thermal Embossing Powder or Enamel was originally used by the printing industry to create raised glossy lettering on printed items. Crafters use it with embossing ink and other slow drying ink to create the same effect. You'll need a heat tool or embossing gun to melt the enamel. Directions are provided on the jar. We carry basic embossing powders as well as superfine embossing powder embossing high-detail stamped images and Distress Embossing Powders with release crystals to create an aged look.

Basic Embossing Instructions

Stamp your image onto your cardstock or art surface using a slow drying pigment ink such as VersaColor or ColorBox Pigment ink or an Embossing Ink such as Tsukienko's Emboss Ink. While the ink is still wet sprinkle embossing powder over the wet ink. Tip the surface vertically to pour the excess powder onto a piece of scrap paper so that the powder can be returned the jar and used again. Some crafters like using a clean coffee filter for this because it's easy to return the powder to the container and the powder doesn't tend to cling to the coffee filter.The next step is heating the powder until it liquifies. This is not a hard process but a little practice will improve the image quality. The heating is usually done by a heat gun or embossing tool which blows hot air at the powder. Hair dryers blow to strong and don't heat enough. Heat tools used in building and construction are usually too hot. Turn the heat tool on and hold it about 6 inches from the powder, moving it circularly so the image is being heated evenly. You'll see the powder start to liquify. Heat until all the powder particles have melted. If the image is heated too long the powder will become too liquid and the detail of the image will be lost a little and the dimension of the raised enamel will lessen. Use superfine powders for embossing high detailed images and use regular embossing powder for embossing bolder images.