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Hey Everyone!
I am just getting started in this whole stamping thing and I am really interested in dry embossing. Before I go hog wild getting everything can anyone tell me what exactly it is about and give me and tricks, tips, and pointers?!?
thanks, kath
Dry embossing is using a stencil (usually brass) or something with texture to create a raised design on a piece of paper. It works best on cardstock or vellum. You put the stencil on the bottom and the paper on the top. Then use a stylus to trace in the outlines of the design. You're embossing on the wrong side of the paper - the raised side is on the right side. Because of this, you have to emboss the design backward.
The embossing can be highlighted with chalks, sanding, etc. HTH.
Thanks for the info. I have heard that it only works on very light colored cardstock, is that true?!? My plan was to dry emboss on dark cardstock and highligh with lighter colored pastels...
You can emboss on darker colors but I find it easier to see what you are doing on the lighter colors. but that might be just me. You also need a light source to place your paper on, like a light box. I guess it can be done without using one but again, the light makes it a lot easier to see where you have embossed and to keep everything straight.
A window on a sunny day works well if you're just starting out. I didn't invest in a light table until I was sure I loved it. I really love the effect, and sometimes add more dimension by cutting out around part of the embossed figure and putting a dimensional/dot behind it ---> next I plan on seeing what kind of trouble I can get into with glitter on them!
If you rub wax paper on the cardstock you're using it will make it a lot easier for the stylus to glide...won't brake/cut your cardstock. There is also a spray out there now but I haven't tried that.
HTH
__________________ Wherever I Go...There Go My Stamps!
I just did a card using an alphabet stencil. I buy the cheapy flimsy stencils - they all work great. SU! has mmore sturdy ones that you don't have to push so hard on. Here's my card. The digital image just doesn't do it justice :( >>>> Gallery at Splitcoaststampers
I just did a card using an alphabet stencil. I buy the cheapy flimsy stencils - they all work great. SU! has mmore sturdy ones that you don't have to push so hard on. Here's my card. The digital image just doesn't do it justice :( >>>> Gallery at Splitcoaststampers
HTH!
Soooooooo cute...love what you did!
__________________ Wherever I Go...There Go My Stamps!
Lasting Impressions makes colored cardstock (solids and patterned) that is white on one side. This makes it easy to dry emboss even on black! I know it's not SU, but it is the best paper to use for dry embossing. The stores that sell it (and the Lasting Impressions brass stencils) usually have display boards with many examples of what you can do with dry embossing - check out their web site, too. And you can improvise a light box until you decide if dry embossing is for you. I love this technique and have been doing it for quite a while. PM me if you have any other questions.
__________________
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance.
You can also use the Empressor Stylus if you have dark cardstock, it seems to work without you being able to see it. I don't know how to describe it - the end is like a ball, and it "finds" the openings in the stencil. I use it whenever the light isn't enough to see through the CS.
Also - if you want to dry emboss on vellum, you might want to get the cardstock vellum. The thinner stuff is more likely to tear.
__________________ Kathy Wrose
"Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, NHL "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
I love dry embossing! I run wax paper over my cardstock first. This makes embossing much easier. I tend to use alot of dark colors so I have to emboss by feeling. I will run my finger over the cardstock in hopes of feeling where the template is at. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. If I could feel it, I press hard with my finger to get a slight outline. This helps me to know where to place my stylus. I like to cut out my image when I'm done and then adhere it to other cardstock or background paper. I also like to layer the images.
Oooh, Marlo, you need to inspire me. I have bought a lot of brass templates through the years and love them but go through spells of not using them. I have a light table and empressor, but rarely would color them. When I tried, I would make a mess.
Then I saw someone at Rubberama in San Jose using embossing paste and stippling color and it was wonderful so I got some of that. Have only done it a couple times.
I know it can be used as a background or focal point. I just don't think of it. I should look at the gallery. Do you have a certain way you prefer to use them??
Thanks....
__________________ Kathy Wrose
"Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, NHL "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
I just realized what another problem with it is - it doesn't show up much in scans of your cards if you haven't colored it or done something to it - just the raised cardstock doesn't show much. Makes all the cards look boring when they might look stunning in person. :(
__________________ Kathy Wrose
"Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, NHL "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
I don't use mine much either because my stamps and scrapping take over so much of my free time. But sometimes when I'm looking for a stamp for a certain occassion and can't find one, I end up finding a template. I hardly ever color my impression. I use mine mostly for focal points. I like I've done very few backgrounds. I like the big templates, the snowmen, flowers...things like that. I'll have to look in my scraproom for my halloween stuff that I did for a swap.
I also have used the paste but wasn't crazy about it. Too messy!
i was told a tip by my SU demonstrator. if you wan to emboss on dark paper, it has to be white on the other side so the light will show thru when you are using a light box. i tried it and it works. just make sure that there is no other light source in the room at the time, because it is still a little hard to see.
I love my Empressor stylus. I haven't tried to emboss on anything other than white paper, so I have no comment about the darker colors.
Also, I purchased my light table at Ms using a 50% off coupon. Saved lots of $$ to spend on SU stamps and accessories!!
I do like the dry embossed look and think it would be worth your while to try it.
This tip is for the light weight tables that you pick up for under twenty dollars. They are so light that they move around easy on most services so I set it on a piece of rubber shelf liner with the bumps on it that you find at most dollar stores.
I also keep the template in place on the light table by using the post it page markers that come in a pop up container, 1 ½ by 2 ¾�?. I also hold the cardstock down with it. This way if I have to get up items will still be in place when I come back to the project. I just leave them stuck to the table when not in use and replace as the sticky wears out.
I also always use wax paper.
I store all these extra helper items right in the light box container so they are handy every time.
And now if you really love it the sizzix (however you spell it) will work with brass templates as well.
I started with the cheap $2.10 stylus and a couple stencils and either a window or a flat tupperwear type container on top of a flashlight or light source if your working after dark and went up to the empressor stylus (I still use my old one as well) and I think I bought a real light table but I have not found it today!!! I guess I should be cleaning and not typing away at the computer!!
__________________ Kyloe
The lesson from Charlie Brown: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
I love dry emobssing! In fact, it's actually how I got started stamping. I was dry embossing first, and wanted to add words and greetings to my cards, and stamping was a natural answer.
You asked which set to start with, and I love the snowflake set. I use it with the snowflake stamp set and without. I just posted a card that uses both:
Thank you everyone for the help and advice. Today I bought a dog print template and a flower template from my local scrapbook store - please don't tell my SU demo and I can't wait until I get to play
kath
Dry Embossing
