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Hi - I am still a very new stamper, as you'll probably realize when you read this. I recently purchased a few of Tim Holtz' Alterations embossing folders - the pictures on the cover of the box in which they come show the embossed portion (cobwebs) in black on a purple (paper) background - how do I make the cobwebs have a color? (Does this make sense?) Susan (gardengalsue)
I find the easiest way is to ink up a brayer, then brayer over the embossed paper. You can do this also While your paper is still in the folder, with the folder open. That way, the folder will support the design while you brayer over it.
Thanks Vicki - I don't have a brayer, so it may be time I get one. It doesn't appear that the design was embossed, but it was colored, so investing in a brayer is a good idea -- thanks again. Susan
You can do it without a brayer, too. As Vicki suggested, leaving the paper in the folder so the design is supported from underneath is a good idea and then just lightly swipe/dab your inkpad over the embossing. Make sure to keep your pad completely flat and you should be hitting only the high spots. Dye inks are best since the pad is firmer (the squidginess of the sponge base that's typical for pigment inks makes it harder to avoid going down into the recesses of the embossing).
If I'm reading you right though, you think the picture looks as if there's no embossed effect, just a colour transfer? Both mine and Vicki's suggestions are things that will work on the embossed impression.
It is possible to "stamp" using an embossing folder and acrylic paint which might give you another possibility to play with. Sponge the paint onto the raised part of the design on the folder, put your paper inside and close the folder. Roll over the top quite firmly (something like a rolling pin will do the job nicely) and you'll have a grungy transfer of the design onto the cardstock and no embossed impression. Wash the paint off your folder straight away to make sure it doesn't dry into the nooks and crannies of the design.
Thanks Joanne -- reading your response alerted me to the fact that I may not have been clear in my question. What I meant was that no embossing powder and heat setting was used after the card was embossed by the folder -- strictly ink, no raised, embossed technique appears to have been used, so I don't need my heat gun or embossing powder. Thank you so much for your info - I will do a little practicing before I actually do this "for real" but I think it sounds like fun and will be a great effect -- thanks again - Susan
Ah, OK - "embossing" is one of those tricky terms in papercraft since we could mean either heat embossing (powder plus heat gun) or dry embossing (folder plus die cut machine or stencil plus stylus) and rarely use the full term either way!
I think that the image you're looking at on the packaging is digitally done to emphasize what the pattern is-- it's not an actual photo of a physical product, which is why it doesn't look embossed at all. I don't think you can replicate that exact look.
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions and I think you are probably right about the picture on the package not be an actually embossed item - should have thought about that before I bought it, but you know how it is, you fall in "lust" with something and you just have to have it - well, now I have it, let's see what I can make it do!! Thanks again everyone -- any other advice, I'd be happy to receive it. Susan
Coloring Embossing Folder Imprints
