Untitled Document
Embossing Powder
Written for newer rubber
stampers who want to learn how to use thermal embossing powder and what different
types there are. This primer is not designed to cover all brands and kinds of
embossing powder, just the basics.
Embossing Powder Coarseness
Embossing Powders come in
three general sizes: Thick, UTEE or ultra-thick embossing enamel is the most
course ground, standard is the most common type and super-fine is the most finely
ground. The thicker the powder comes, the thicker the powder will be when it
melts, but the more fine the powder is, the more detail in your embossed image,
you will see. Most images can be embossed with standard embossing powder. It
provides a nice thickness or height but is fine enough to show pretty good detail.
Super-fine embossing enamel was used on the image to the right. This image has
too much detail for a standard embossing powder. The details of the image would
be lost and the fine lines would run together with standard embossing powder.
Thick and Ultra Thick Embossing Powders are not good for embossing images. They
are designed to cover larger areas and may be stamped into.
Applying Embossing
Powder
Embossing powders
can be adhered to artwork using embossing ink and a rubber stamp. Embossing
ink is a slow drying, tacky, ink. It is also available in pens for writing.
Stamp an image with embossing ink, sprinkle embossing powder over the image
and shake the extra onto a blank piece of paper or into a Tidy
Tray so you can pour it back into the jar. If you don't recycle the extra,
you'll go through embossing powder at an alarming rate.
Double sided tapes are
also good for embossing powders. Red Liner Bead Tape
comes in a punchable sheet so you can emboss shapes.
Heating Embossing Powder
The quickest and easiest
method for melting embossing powder is with a crafter's
heat tool or embossing gun. These are designed not to force air hard enough
to blow the embossing powder free from embossing ink. These items should always
be unplugged when unattended. I hear stories regularly of people's cats knocking
them off the table or something hits the power button. These can start fires
easily.
Heating Embossing Powder
can be done in the toaster oven if a heat gun is not available. It is best to
get the oven warm first and place your artwork on a metal tray. Be careful not
to burn the paper. This process is relatively quick and should not be left unattended
for any reason.
|
