Embossing Question....

[Shopping Diva]

If you are stamping something in black ink, and want to also emboss it using black embossing powder, how do you do it?

I also want to know how you would do it if you are stamping something in a colored ink and want to use clear embossing powder. I guess I don't get the clear embossing powder technique, because I'm not sure what the point of embossing in clear is.

Thank you!

[Jamie Stamps]

Embossing in clear allows you to stamp in any color and emboss, rather than needing many different colored embossing powders.

[StampinSharon]

For black ink and embossing powder, I would use a black craft ink pad (pigment ink) and sprinkle on the black embossing powder and then heat it.

For the clear embossing powder, I would use the craft ink in the desired color and the clear embossing powder. I use this technique a lot as it gives the stamped image a nice glossy finish.

Just be sure you are using the pigment ink which doesn't dry as quickly as dye ink.

[Shopping Diva]

Originally Posted by StampinSharon

For black ink and embossing powder, I would use a black craft ink pad (pigment ink) and sprinkle on the black embossing powder and then heat it.

For the clear embossing powder, I would use the craft ink in the desired color and the clear embossing powder. I use this technique a lot as it gives the stamped image a nice glossy finish.

Just be sure you are using the pigment ink which doesn't dry as quickly as dye ink.

Thank you so much for your quick response. For some reason, I thought I still needed Versamark.

[StampinSharon]

You can use VersaMark with a colored embossing powder. If you use VersaMark with a clear embossing powder, your raised image will be clear.

[texan947]

For clear embossing powder you can also use certain brands of markers if you want the image to be more than one color.

[stamphappy1650]

You can use your versamark with black embossing powder but you'll have more complete coverage with a black craft/pigment ink pad.

[indyemmert]

If you don't have a craft/pigment ink in the color you want, you can ink your stamp with Versamark then ink it with regular ink, stamp and emboss with clear EP.

[sophmad]

I prefer using colored inks with clear powder for embossing. It seems like when I use colored embossing powder (especially black) there is stray powder that leaves dots where I don't want them. If I don't have the ink you can emboss with in the color I want, I do what Jana suggests, ink stamp in Versamark, then the colored regular ink, and emboss with clear powder.

I will use versamark and clear embossing powder to do the emboss resist technique like I did on this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=53317 The tutorial is here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/re...ossing_resist/

[annie*]

Originally Posted by indyemmert

If you don't have a craft/pigment ink in the color you want, you can ink your stamp with Versamark then ink it with regular ink, stamp and emboss with clear EP.

If you are doing many of the same image, when doing this technique, how often do you need to clean your stamp and start over? TIA
Annie

[row4d]

Originally Posted by annie*

If you are doing many of the same image, when doing this technique, how often do you need to clean your stamp and start over? TIA
Annie

In my experience there usually isn't enough VersaMark ink left on the stamp to get more than one good image -- if you want the embossing powder to stick well, the ink has to be nice and wet. Not a technique I'd recommend for large-scale projects! You also don't get the smooth, even color that you would if you'd used pigment ink, because the coating of VersaMark causes dye inks to bead up just a little.

[annie*]

Ok, good to know. I want to switch to using clear embossing powder and I still don't have it quite figured out. It seems a little silly since I have been embossing forever, but was always frustrated with the little bits of powder that show up where you don't want them. I've tried embossing buddies, brushing, blowing off the extra ... you get the picture, but I still end up with powder where I don't want it.

[biblesistersmom]

Originally Posted by indyemmert

If you don't have a craft/pigment ink in the color you want, you can ink your stamp with Versamark then ink it with regular ink, stamp and emboss with clear EP.

I love this! Thanks!

[biblesistersmom]

Originally Posted by sophmad

I prefer using colored inks with clear powder for embossing. It seems like when I use colored embossing powder (especially black) there is stray powder that leaves dots where I don't want them. If I don't have the ink you can emboss with in the color I want, I do what Jana suggests, ink stamp in Versamark, then the colored regular ink, and emboss with clear powder.

I will use versamark and clear embossing powder to do the emboss resist technique like I did on this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=53317 The tutorial is here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/re...ossing_resist/

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one with this problem with black embossing powder! I use the embossing buddy, tap off the excess, blow on it or use a small paint brush and it makes no difference. I still get those tiny black dots. Am I doing something wrong? Did I get cheap embossing powder? Any help would be greatly appreciated. On the other hand, now that you taught me the trick about versamark and then color, I may just abandon that black EP all together!
Thanks -

[AlbertaStamping]

Originally Posted by annie*

Ok, good to know. I want to switch to using clear embossing powder and I still don't have it quite figured out. It seems a little silly since I have been embossing forever, but was always frustrated with the little bits of powder that show up where you don't want them. I've tried embossing buddies, brushing, blowing off the extra ... you get the picture, but I still end up with powder where I don't want it.

For $3 at a Princess Auto (mechanical liquidator) I bought a small bulb like huffer, kind of looks like a nasal aspirator they use on infants, only it has a small brass tip, and I use it to blow off excess powder when I heat emboss. The small tip gets the puff exactly where I need it and it's indispensible for getting rid of those specs that stick before I put a heat gun to the image.

[cbet]

Originally Posted by biblesistersmom

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one with this problem with black embossing powder! I use the embossing buddy, tap off the excess, blow on it or use a small paint brush and it makes no difference. I still get those tiny black dots. Am I doing something wrong? Did I get cheap embossing powder? Any help would be greatly appreciated. On the other hand, now that you taught me the trick about versamark and then color, I may just abandon that black EP all together!
Thanks -

While I love the look of clear embossing over colored pigment ink, I won't ever get rid of my colored EP (especially black). The clear powder over colored ink has a little bit different look to it - kind of like clear glass over a colored base. The colored powder has a more opaque look - and you get more vivid results on colored cardstock. For example, using red on black. Using red pigment ink (or versamark) on black cardstock and then using red embossing powder really pops. The red pigment ink with clear embossing powder won't show up as much.

Although the little EP boogers are as annoying as all get out. I seem to get fewer of those if I use the heat gun from underneath. Maybe the air from the gun shakes some of the grains of powder loose from the image before the melt?

[cbet]

Originally Posted by AlbertaStamping

For $3 at a Princess Auto (mechanical liquidator) I bought a small bulb like huffer, kind of looks like a nasal aspirator they use on infants, only it has a small brass tip, and I use it to blow off excess powder when I heat emboss. The small tip gets the puff exactly where I need it and it's indispensible for getting rid of those specs that stick before I put a heat gun to the image.

Oh. My. Gosh! I bought one of those at Harbor Freight a couple of months ago, but never thought to use it for this! Now I have to find where I put it . . .

[beaddict]

When I emboss I firmly flick the back of the card stock several times after I have shaken off the excess powder. It seems to work pretty well. i can remember the last time I had any stray specks of ep.

[annie*]

Originally Posted by beaddict

When I emboss I firmly flick the back of the card stock several times after I have shaken off the excess powder. It seems to work pretty well. i can remember the last time I had any stray specks of ep.

I've tried that too, but still had the same problem. I've tried all of the above suggestions except the blower tool. I agree that colored embossing powder is nice and rich looking. It is an annoying problem, but I love the embossed look, so I will just keep trying all of your suggestions, and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for all of the help!
Annie

[annie*]

Originally Posted by AlbertaStamping

For $3 at a Princess Auto (mechanical liquidator) I bought a small bulb like huffer, kind of looks like a nasal aspirator they use on infants, only it has a small brass tip, and I use it to blow off excess powder when I heat emboss. The small tip gets the puff exactly where I need it and it's indispensible for getting rid of those specs that stick before I put a heat gun to the image.

I am not familiar with Princess Auto. Would you have any suggestions of another place you could buy a "huffer", and what is the real/technical name of this product? Also, what is Harbor Freight? TIA

[AlbertaStamping]

Princess Auto is a tool liquidators here in Alberta. I think you might find something like this at a place that sells woodworking tools, or machining or body work tools. The "huffer" I have is made of the red rubber, like most of our rubberstamps, it's shaped like a bulb with a small brass tip. I would try a tool store and if you have to ask someone, explain that it would be used to puff dust or filings off or out of a small area.

I wish I could describe it better because it really is fantastic for puffing off spots of embossing powder.

[annie*]

Your description is great. Hopefully I will be able to find a similar tool.

[cbet]

Here's a link to the one I got at Harbor Freight: Squeeze Duster

Harbor Freight is a discount tool store. You can order from their online site if you don't have a store in your area. It's a lot of fun to shop there - and the one store that will make my father agree to a day of shopping with my brother and his wife and kids

If you're there, or if you decide to order from the site, they also have these really cool storage containers:
Version 1
Version 2

[debbiemom23cs]

Originally Posted by indyemmert

If you don't have a craft/pigment ink in the color you want, you can ink your stamp with Versamark then ink it with regular ink, stamp and emboss with clear EP.

Yep, what she said! I do this all the time!!

[AlbertaStamping]

Here's a link to the one I got at Harbor Freight: Squeeze Duster

Thanks Cheryl!

That's it! Except I paid $3 CN + tax but I don't care, it's a great tool.

[marthur]

Thanks for the squeeze duster info. I am going to definitely buy one.

[shellpole]

When using black on black especially, but I guess I do this for any embossing....

try to begin heating away from the powder...sort of like warming it up...when you see it begin to "move" then bring your heatgun closer. I find this helps eliminate the stray powder situation really well.

I certainly use the anti static bag, tapping, fine paintbrush etc prior to heating as well because it is pretty yukky looking to have dots of errant powder all over the place.

Originally Posted by biblesistersmom

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one with this problem with black embossing powder! I use the embossing buddy, tap off the excess, blow on it or use a small paint brush and it makes no difference. I still get those tiny black dots. Am I doing something wrong? Did I get cheap embossing powder? Any help would be greatly appreciated. On the other hand, now that you taught me the trick about versamark and then color, I may just abandon that black EP all together!
Thanks -

[shellpole]

There is another point to consider...EP CAN get old and will not work as well.

[shellpole]

I also agree with an above poster who said the outcome will differ with what inkpad and what EP you use....Versamark with gold EP is totally different to Encore Gold with gold EP (the latter being lovely and vibrant) an ddiffernt again to Gold Encore with clear EP.

Experimentation is needed to see which look you like the best.

[lmcgraw01]

Great thread! I screwed up UTTE today, white on white, if you can figure that one out.
Leah

[craftdesigns]

Originally Posted by annie*

Ok, good to know. I want to switch to using clear embossing powder and I still don't have it quite figured out. It seems a little silly since I have been embossing forever, but was always frustrated with the little bits of powder that show up where you don't want them. I've tried embossing buddies, brushing, blowing off the extra ... you get the picture, but I still end up with powder where I don't want it.

Check out the embossing tips at the end of this entry...they work!

http://paperfriendly.blogspot.com/20...f-mention.html

[craftdesigns]

Originally Posted by shellpole

There is another point to consider...EP CAN get old and will not work as well.

I've got EP that's older than dirt, and it works every time. What does cause havoc with EP is moisture...either in the paper or the powder. Papers are best stored in closed containers (boxes or drawers) with a couple of silica packets; EP is best stored in closed container (boxes or zip lock pags) with a silica packet. That moisture comes from the enviornment...not just Mother Nature, but the homes we live in (thanks to cooking, dryers, dishwashers, showers, baths, etc.).

[stargirl]

I emboss almost every day, and my go to combo is VersaFine Onyx and Crystal Clear ep. Black ep is messy. I haven't used black ep in two years.