any tips for embossing
 

I am making cards. I am trying to emboss black onto white paper. I used my SU embossing buddy. Does embossing powder get old? Is there a better brand maybe? It is working ok but I am still getting the little flecks of black that have strayed. Any tips to get that clean embossing.

Try using a black ink and clear powder. Any stray flecks would be clear then.

Kathy's idea is a very good one, but if you are set on black EP because of the way it looks or you intend to color the BG and can't have clear EP strays resisting whatever you are using to color it, you need to go over your image in good light and use a paintbrush to flick off the strays of black before heating. Good light and turn the piece this way and that so you can see them all.

EP does get old, but you'd see that in the way it melted, not just by having stray flecks. If your EP is coming off the stamped image before you heat and you are noticing that, then your Versamark (or whatever you are using as your "glue") might be the problem - maybe the pad isn't inked enough.

There is a powder tool that works better than the embossing buddy too. You wipe it on with the brush end and stamp and emboss then wipe off the powder.

Funny, I was embossing earlier today and using the pouch and wishing that I had the powder tool that you're talking about. I first saw this in one of Jennifer McGuire's videos and it looks great.

I've used the pouches for years but I have never liked them very much.

Off to go get the brush powder tool......

I found one several months ago in a clearance bin at acmoore and got it for $2!!. I use it a lot on sticky stuff. Brush it on and rub off the excess adhesive!

I have one 'on the way'. Not for $2, lol, but that's ok. Nice deal for you, though :)

If I remember correctly, Jennifer refills hers with baby powder.

I'm sure baby powder will work. Mine smells like baby powder when I bought it

Saw the powder brush on a Jennifer McGuire video and have LOVED it!

For some reason black embossing powder does tend to leave stray bits of powder. I only use Ranger brand embossing powder. What really helps is heating the paper with the heat gun BEFORE swiping with the pouch. Also embosses faster when you have a piece of cardboard wrapped in foil underneath.

Nice to know those tips, Diane - I'm definitely going to try heating a paper before using my embossing buddy. :-)!

I always use a fine paintbrush to simply brush any stray flecks away.
Tapping from behind can also get rid of strays.

Thanks for the tips. I think I figured out what might help. Refill my versa mark. Leave the powder residue on the paper till after stamping and heating. I was kinda wiping the excess off. I will try the tip of heating the paper up too. I think my versa mark might be a little dry. I will need to think if I want to venture out in this cold weather.

great thread!

love this and will try baby powder.........thank you..............