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What can I do or use at home that will remove static on Stampin Up paper for heat embossing? I don't have an embossing buddy (meant to get 1 last order and wrote down wrong # and never noticed til order came), so is there anything else I can use that will remove static??
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I saw last night on Gina K's stamp TV (I think it was stamp TV) that you can use a dryer sheet and just carefully swipe it over the paper before you stamp and emboss. I thought that made sense but I've never tried it. I do plan to try it. I was set to buy a embossing buddy but my SU demo said she thought they really didn't work. So maybe the dryer sheets will work.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I saw last night on Gina K's stamp TV (I think it was stamp TV) that you can use a dryer sheet and just carefully swipe it over the paper before you stamp and emboss. I thought that made sense but I've never tried it. I do plan to try it. I was set to buy a embossing buddy but my SU demo said she thought they really didn't work. So maybe the dryer sheets will work.
I believe it's a used dryer sheet that you should use.
I have tried a used dryer sheet and a new dryer sheet and they don't seem to work. I still end up with lots of little specks of embossing powder that should not be there and they will not come off.
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Hmmmmm, I just embossed 50 shower invitations and didn't have any trouble. I didn't use dryer sheets, as I didn't know about that trick a week ago. I always just stamp with craft ink or versamark, dump on the embossing powder, tip it so it flows off, I then tap the cardstock on my table and I turn away from the ep powder that I poured off and I blow on my design. I seem to get rid of any stray specks this way. I didn't have ANY spots on the 50 cards I made. I use SU paper...dought that makes a difference but I thought I'd add it.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I read somewhere that baby (talcum powder) wrapped in like a baby sock would be just as effective as an embossing buddy (though I haven't tried it) as I really don't have a problem doing what Allistamps123 does (I don't blow on it however, I use a tiny art brush to brush away all the stray flecks before I hit it with the heat). The only card stock I have a problem with is Basic Black SU or Night of Navy SU...so will try the blowing on that next time.
I know what you mean, Natasha! I have an embossing buddy (not SU but from a lss) and I always try to brush off any extra with a fine paintbrush, but I often end up with a few speckles somewhere! Especially when using extra-fine ep... :( So I'm looking forward to any other suggestions too!
I've heard you can use cornstarch instead of talcum powder, has anyone had any success with that?
I think rubbing your hand across would only make it worse, as any grease or moisture on your hand would transfer to the card and give the EP something to cling to.
I saw last night on Gina K's stamp TV (I think it was stamp TV) that you can use a dryer sheet and just carefully swipe it over the paper before you stamp and emboss. I thought that made sense but I've never tried it. I do plan to try it. I was set to buy a embossing buddy but my SU demo said she thought they really didn't work. So maybe the dryer sheets will work.
Oops- no, that wasn't me but I will have to give that a try! (Just don't want to take credit when it belongs to someone else. )
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Owner- Gina K. Designs
I should have added, you can use corn starch. You can pour a little into a baby sock or make a little pouch out of some fabric. That's a good substitute if you don't have one.
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Owner- Gina K. Designs
What I have started doing is stamping with black craft ink and then using clear embossing powder over it ... same results (at least that I can tell) with no specs anywhere ...
I make sure the embossing buddy leaves a bit of powder on the cardstock and voila, no specks.
I had no success with cornstarch - it made my paper have more static.
Just my 2 cents.
Here is the recipe to make your own anti static bag....
Equal parts of baby powder and cornstarch
Fill the foot portion of a COTTON baby sock
Tie a ribbon bow around the bottom of the ankle portion...
voila! done
To use:
Walk the sock across your card stock....
emboss..
I have read with much interest the differing views on how to get spotless embossing~!
Rubbing the hand over the card ....now that is different. Has the author of this one actually tried it a few times on different card?I am sitting here thinking the oils in my hands combined with the absorbant cardstock would equal a no go on this one.The definition of using an anti static pad is to remove moisture, lint and any residual oil (usually found on your fingertips).....so I am having difficulty with the hand over the card thing.
I would like to try the dryer sheet because it sounds promising.
I do have to say, though, that I have used the anti static pad since the 90's for all my embossing needs.
My method.....pounce or swipe the anti static pad over the card. Like one of the other ladies, I often leave the powder (not much of it....more like the residual stuff) on the card. Then ink and stamp and dump EP on top. Turn over....gently tap onto scrap paper...turn right side up again.....try blowing gently to remove residual and if the little dots do not buzz off, use a very fine paint brush to help them disassociate with my cardstock.
The one thing I have learned over the years is the next step...when heating the EP....begin with the heat gun a fair distance away from the EP....allowing the EP to "warm up" so to speak and gradually bring the gun closer as the EP warms up and then closer still when it starts to melt. This way the EP hasn't got much of a chance to escape its bounds and plop itself outside of the places you want it. (you know...those specks which suddenly appear after you start the process!)
Cheers,
Michelle
Last edited by shellpole; 08-26-2009 at 02:09 PM..
So here's a question for the embossing buddy/static pad users... if you're leaving a little residual powder on the cs, and then you tap off the excess ep, can you still put the excess ep back (mixed with that bit of "buddy" powder ;)) in the jar to use again? (Sorry, that's a convoluted question! :mrgreen
Michelle (shellpole), I really like your advice to start the heat gun at a distance. That makes a lot of sense!
I should have added, you can use corn starch. You can pour a little into a baby sock or make a little pouch out of some fabric. That's a good substitute if you don't have one.
This is what I did! I tried using regular fabric for it but it seemed to allow too much cornstarch to come out of the weave so I made another one using a thin flannel fabric and it's perfect. I made it about 3x3 inches. Was easy peasy and so cheap!
PS - This works just as good as the Embossing Buddy and wayy better than dryer sheets.
__________________ Sophia I got a reality check but it bounced.
I use cornstarch in a baby sock. It works just fine for me. I've used an embossing buddy but find the cornstarch works just as well. If there's any stray embossing powder left on after tapping off, I use a fine tipped paint brush to brush it away before heating.
What I have started doing is stamping with black craft ink and then using clear embossing powder over it ... same results (at least that I can tell) with no specs anywhere ...
This is what I do also. No matter what I do, black embossing powder is a PITA. It gets everywhere it isn't supposed to, and it's the only kind I have trouble with.
I just wanted to add that heating the cardstock from underneath also helps with less ep blowing around on the cardstock before it is heated up. This is probably the same effect as holding the heat gun far away from the project.
So here's a question for the embossing buddy/static pad users... if you're leaving a little residual powder on the cs, and then you tap off the excess ep, can you still put the excess ep back (mixed with that bit of "buddy" powder ;)) in the jar to use again? (Sorry, that's a convoluted question! :mrgreen
Hi! I thought I'd post to answer your question and a few suggestions...
The Embossing buddy isn't going to leave tons of powder behind. Or, at least it shouldn't. I just tap on my cardstock before stamping with Versamark or craft inks. I find that I don't always need to use a embossing buddy, but that depends on the type of embossing powder I use. The finer, more detailed powders will really stick to your cardstock where you don't want them. I keep a small paint brush handy for strays.
I've found an embossing buddy at Hobby Lobby and Michael's, so it might be worth the trip. I've used mine for years and it's my preference. I've tried the dryer sheet methods and I just don't think they leave enough "residue" behind to prevent you from having static issues. The way dryer sheets work is from the moisture in clothes and the heat activation of your dryer... and I don't think it's ideal.
BUT... I think the type of heat gun you use is really key too. I just recently bought the Heat It Craft Tool from Ellen Hutson (although, I think they may be out of stock at the moment) and it's fabulous! The tool heats slowly and doesn't blow every bit of powder off your paper before it's set.
If you don't have this type of heat gun, I highly advocate heating from the underside of your paper. It prevents your main image from being blown around and if you do overheat the project, any singe marks are on the back.
Heating underneath...I forgot about that....but that is also a good trick to warm things up. I used to do that but found the positioning of the heat gun worked for me....You could find the underneath trick works for you.
And as someone said...the heatgun....they are all different...even the same brand...different. You have to see how the heat is distributed by YOUR heatgun. I have an old little white one (looks like an old fashioned hair dryer with a stubby nose). It throws its heat out at an angle but the heat thrown is quite gentle! My newish one is a long black one...heats super quickly but blows more powerfully! (Not for a beginner.) I have seen a beginner remove ALL the EP because the gun was too close and it literally blew everything away....the spots were not a worry....coz there was NOTHING left!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cricketeer
So here's a question for the embossing buddy/static pad users... if you're leaving a little residual powder on the cs, and then you tap off the excess ep, can you still put the excess ep back (mixed with that bit of "buddy" powder ;)) in the jar to use again? (Sorry, that's a convoluted question! :mrgreen
Michelle (shellpole), I really like your advice to start the heat gun at a distance. That makes a lot of sense!
If you don't have this type of heat gun, I highly advocate heating from the underside of your paper. It prevents your main image from being blown around and if you do overheat the project, any singe marks are on the back.
I hope that helps!
lise
Yes! I sometimes heat my image on top of my toaster before I use my heat gun. (Mine's a Marvy, works for me, well most of the time... )
My demo has an embossing buddy and it works great. I have difficulty parting with the money for one when I still need to get more cardstock colours and ink pads, etc so I keep telling myself I'll make one. I chicken out every time I try to think of how to sew together the bag with the powder in it so it doesn't spill out before I get it sewn. I LOVE the sock idea though; it's about my skill level, LOL!
As for the heating part, I'm an impatient person, so I usually try to rush the job. I tried heating from underneath, but I doubt I was doing it right as my cardstock was bouncing up and down and the ep bounced all over my project and made a horrible mess. Perhaps I should have held it further away? Maybe I should just learn a little patience and do the heat from a distance thing (and the baby sock!) so I can take my projects from ow to wow!
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just plain talc
Quote:
Originally Posted by Natasha1980
Can someone please help me??
What can I do or use at home that will remove static on Stampin Up paper for heat embossing? I don't have an embossing buddy (meant to get 1 last order and wrote down wrong # and never noticed til order came), so is there anything else I can use that will remove static??
Thanks for your help!!
Natasha
For the last 12 years I have used nothing but talcum powder. I was desperate one day and so grabbed a hanky poured a good amount of talc onto it and tied with string. To this day I am still using it with no problem. Just make sure there is the slightest amount of talc residue on the card. I pounce all over first to release the powder and then rub all over. Works a treat.
The hanky makes a good conversation piece as well cause it is hot pink.
Give it a try Zena
Oh just to make you laugh. I went to friends for a craft night and couldn't figure why my embossing powder was being blown off the card when I tried to use the heat gun. It wasn't till a friend commented that she didn't realise you could use a hair dryer for embossing. Duh, my heat gun and hair dryer are very similar looking. It made for a good laugh.
Last edited by zekenne; 10-06-2009 at 04:06 AM..
Reason: fixed spelling mistake
I use my Air Worx marker tool to blow off excess EP. Works much better than blowing if off yourself, and there's no danger of spitting on your project, and the little nozzles gets in those tight crevices, which often even a small paintbrush can't.
Something else I've noticed is I have better results if I don't reuse embossing powder right away. What I mean is keep using it out of the jar then dump it all in when you are all done embossing. I suspect the tray I use (the infamous one from Mike's) to catch the embossing powder tends to make the powder more static-y. If I don't reuse it right away, less powder tends to stick.
i haven't bought my embossing buddy yet (same as one lady, keep forgetting - so much cardstock, so much ink, etc, so little money! LOL), but i borrowed one from my upline for a card workshop and my scrap club. i forgot to use it for the card workshop, and holy crackers, did it EVER make a difference! the glitter stuck to EVERYTHING, and i definitely noticed that i'd forgotten it. i definitely won't forget again!
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How to Remove Static??
