Altered DOMINOES question
 

I'm trying to "paint" dominoes with the alcohol inks (Adirondak). That is working great...but I want to stamp/emboss on them...

I am having trouble with the embossing powder wanting to stay all over the surface of the domino. I am using a EK SUCCESS powder tool, making sure I've covered the entire surface. Then I stamp with the VersaMark pad, then shake EP over the surface.

Then tap/tamp it off, but its like DUST over the entire surface. I've all but pounded through my table trying to tap it off. No use.

I've only used GOLD ep...and sure love the look except for the dust.

Any suggestions? -- yes, I've watched several tutorials on YT, but I can't see that I'm doing anything different from the artists there. They don't leave any "dry" time OR, they just use a heat gun to set it.

I feel like I've tried everything...very frustrating. Trying to make a boat-load of these for a give-away this fall. But this ain't workin'. Ugh.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I've been seeing a lot of instances of artists making use of the stickiness of AI to do foiling. I'm guessing your AI is not drying. I don't have a solution unless you just try letting them dry/cure for a few days before embossing.

I've only embossed the whole domino with UTEE after stamping & coloring.

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What is UTEE??

I will try again tomorrow, after they've sat all night. That's a good suggestion. Thank you!

I did think of another possibility...I bought CHEAP dominoes, thinking there wasn't much difference. THERE IS. The cheap ones (Dollar General), are an entirely different composition/material than the good ones. On the cheap ones, the dots are STICKERS, rather than the little colored "divets" on the better ones.

I'm wondering if the material makes that much difference...it's like they're almost porous...not really, but you can see and feel the difference.

I'll buy a set of good ones and see if it makes a diff with the embossing.

Thanks for your input!-

UTEE = Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel.

A different domino/surface should make a difference if those are soaking in (or the AI maybe softening them).

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Could you swipe the whole domino with an anti-static pad, then try the embossing ink and powder?

I'm pretty sure the OP has used the embossing buddy all over the domino. I do agree that the key is to make sure your alcohol ink has dried. Use a heat tool to speed that up. Does the same thing happen if you're not using the alcohol ink?

You might try a different EP to see if that makes any difference. If you're using ultrafine, that might "encourage" the strays.

I haven't made dominos in years but I'm pretty sure my suggestions worked then. It could be that the surface of the dominos is making a difference. Could you rough them up a bit with a light sanding before stamping?

Just typing out loud here. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

Yes, I've used an anti-static powder. I'd say it DID make "some" difference, but it doesn't eliminate it to my satisfaction.

I also can't seem to figure out the best BLACK INK for stamping and using COPICS. I plan to get a spray sealant today, PRAYING this will set the inks.

I want to do "100" of these (they'll have magnets on the back) for contributing to a "swag bag" at one of my fall events. They HAVE to hold up!! So frustrating.


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Sometimes I use a small paintbrush and try to wipe off the stray powder. Maybe that would help you?

I've made lots of altered dominoes, but I never could emboss on them. Stamping with Stazon gives a slightly raised (embossed) line, but then I have to paint with water-based ink and spray with gloss sealer. They're very pretty, but different from your idea.

For stamping, I have used the Ranger Archival Ink with great success. I guess I haven't tried to emboss on them. Good luck!

I had to go look in my "altered art box" to jog my memory.

I used GlazOn between stamping & coloring with Stazon/Sharpies: GlazOn Protectant Glaze | Imagine

I learned about it from Roni at Ink Stains: Ink Stains: domino

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Here is a card I did with a domino. I colored it with chalk inks, Doc Martin's calligraphy colors and then embossed the fern in a homemade mixture of black and gold embossing powder. I made this 14 years ago, but don't remember any problems and my written notes don't indicate I did anything special to prevent stray flecks. I actually still have one of these cards and I don't see any embossing where I didn't want it. I used really good dominos (I remember my SIL being appalled that I would do such a thing), so maybe the surface was super good. I'm planning to use some of these same dominos for Christmas ornaments this year, so I'm going to remember the warning that such things may happen.

By the way, any suggestions for what to do about the back side where the digits are? Felt, designer paper...?

How about glitter paper or, possibly, a thick coat of glitter? I think that would make a nice reverse side to an ornament.

Perhaps you could sandwich two dominoes together and put the ribbon for hanging between the two.

Thanks! I had considered gluing two together back to back, but hadn't thought of glitter or glitter paper.

I kind of like the look of the actual domino on the back. I've always left it as is.

I was looking for something on my computer and came across this blog: DominoART Although it hasn't been updated in a while, there are lots of good techniques & tutorials.
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I would like to use beautiful PAPER, then cut the paper out and Modge Pdge it onto the Domino. I was wondering if there is a nice little CUTTER that can take the corners off the PAPER so they are ever so slightly rounded to match the domino.

I already bought a Fiskars 1/4” rounded corner cutter on eBay, too big, there went $12. Just wondered if there was such a thing? I live in the boonies, so no one to ask. Thanks peeps!

I'm not sure if there are smaller corner punches but others will chime in. Maybe the WRMK Corner Chomper?

Could you use a curved manicure scissor to trim the corners (lightly traced)?