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Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in different brands of embossing powder? I've never actually bought any before, I'm just getting into embossing and I'm wondering if you have a preference, if the more expensive powder works better, is Stampin Up better?
Maybe it's just the brands I've used, but I do see a difference. I've never used SU, but I've used Joann's & Ranger. I do find a huge difference - the Joann's just doesn't work as well. The particles are not as evenly sized and don't seem to stick to the versamark image as well.
I must put a HUGE vote in for SU's embossing powder. I tried to emboss a bunch before I broke down an used SU. It made a HUGE difference. I would spring for SU's embossing powder. I love it!
I have found a HUGE difference between Michael's brand (whatever it is) and SU! embossing powder. Michael's powder is very grainy and seems to have more "filler" in it, making it spread more when heating with the heat gun. I really don't like them at all. SU! powders almost seem like "detail" powders compared to Michael's, much nicer!
I will say that I have only bought from a few places (local) and I did not like joanne's powders. I do like ranger ones & the ones I got from Walmart I also liked.
I have a gold powder from PSX that is a bear to emboss...I think it's done, then I look at it in a different light, and I have to go back to the heat tool. Never have that problem w/ SU's.
I thought it was just me. I have used a Wal-Mart embossing powder on non SU cardstock (GASP!) and I found that it did not work well. Then tried it on SU cardstock and it still didn't work well (kind of spread out and didn't puff up). I thought I was doing something wrong. I used versamark instead of a craft pad but you can do that, right? Seems like it might be the powder.
I may have to breakdown and spring for some SU embossing powder (SAB is coming up...).
I have found a really big difference in brands. In general, the cheaper the more trouble you will have with it. It burns easily, doesn't melt evenly and bubbles.
I do like my SU embossing powder, but for those in the UK, don't know if you can get it in the States, stay away from Anita's Ink It Up powder, I have found that it is really poor and it drives me insane, it sticks where it shouldn't and won't stick where it should.:rolleyes:
[QUOTE=deb_loves_stamping]Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in different brands of embossing powder? I've never actually bought any before, I'm just getting into embossing and I'm wondering if you have a preference, if the more expensive powder works better, is Stampin Up better?[/QUO
Believe it or not E.P.'s do vary. Mostly the variation is the color range and additives, such as the addition of Pearl-ex type powders. I prefer a gold that has gold pearl-ex in the mixture. It looks very brilliant. And my favorite company is Old Town Crafts. The ink you use with the powder is the most important. Must be a pigment ink. Have fun.
Sherri B.
Can anyone tell me if there is a difference in different brands of embossing powder? I've never actually bought any before, I'm just getting into embossing and I'm wondering if you have a preference, if the more expensive powder works better, is Stampin Up better?[/QUO
Believe it or not E.P.'s do vary. Mostly the variation is the color range and additives, such as the addition of Pearl-ex type powders. I prefer a gold that has gold pearl-ex in the mixture. It looks very brilliant. And my favorite company is Old Town Crafts. The ink you use with the powder is the most important. Must be a pigment ink. Have fun.
Sherri B.
i have bought cheap ones from hobby lobby.. and all they do is burn and smell burned.
the stampin up kind is great.. i prefer it over the 2 other kinds i have tried previously.
but, i dont care much for the fine detail ep.. it spreads everywhere, it is too fine for my likes..
I have used ep's from SU, Ranger, Stampendous & Adirondack & like all of them. Like the 'detail' powders very much when I'm using on detailed images or on greetings. A very clean, crisp look. Haven't bothered to even try the Joann's store brand - they don't even look very good to me & the colors seem to be dull. I've just learned over time that the store brands are just not very good quality - so in the long run they are really less expensive. It's worth a bit of investment to be happy with what you create.
Kitty
I tried a glitter EP from Michael's, and found that the glitter is too grainy, and doesn't stick evenly to the image. I'm throwing it out, and going with SU!
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