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.