emboss help
 

I am trying to do a project my consult showed me not sure if I have wrong products or what I am doing wrong.

I did not have everything she used so here's what I have - I am using some ink from michaels instead of craft ink its the colorbox pigment stamp pad (black). I stamped my image then poured the SU emboss detail powder and took of excess and used hair dryer to warm. When finished its not shiny and not really lifted. this is clear powder too and can still see on ink. I have stood there for 1-2 minutes thinking I am not heating long enough but its still there, also did not want to over heat so tried to heat for short time but still not working.

What am I doing wrong?

Most hair dryers are not hot enough to melt the powder. I think you need a heat gun.

I agree you need a heat gun. Long ago before I got a gun, I would heat over the burner of my electric stove. But, you must be very careful or you will burn or scorch the paper. I really don't recommend it if you have other choices, but it will work in a pinch. I currently have a Wagner Paint Stripper Heat Gun that I use on the low setting. It works great. I do not have any problems with scorching or burning.

yeah, those babies are HOT! They'll burn a hole in your rug... speaking from experience :(

Just as the hair dryer doesn't do the job of a heat gun, so the heat gun shouldn't be used as a hair dryer! I learned that the hard way. I tried to speed dry my SU scrub pad after cleaning it, and I melted away the bristles!!! So be careful with the heat tool!:

Not only is the heat gun not hot enough, it blows too much air and your powder could get blown off the image. I do most of my embossing with VersaMark...it's so versatile and sticks with the powder really well, but the craft inks should work too! I've had customers heat theirs over an electric griddle...but like using the stove, that's dangerous also! HTH!

Happy Embossing!

Erin ;-)

Liz- you can usually get an embossing gun for fairly inexpensive at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. If they aren't on sale, grab a coupon.

Thankyou all so much - never thought about the hairdryer not getting the job done. Will have to get a heat gun, my kinda luck I would burn the house down with the stove - you are so brave:eek: Thanks a bunch to all.

embossing tool
 

Before i got a heat gun i used the base of my iron with a orangewood stick to press it against the plate. A little safer than the burner, but a heat gun is definitely the "right" tool for the job.

Also...if you are using black pigment ink and clear embossing powder, you will see the black line! If you use versamark, the embossing powder will show the color of the paper you are using. :) Have fun experimenting!!!

I actually used a toaster to melt embossing powder a LONG time ago when I was babysitting. One of the kids had embossing powder and paper and since we didn't have a heat gun, we used the toaster. I don't really recommend it - as we went on, the time between pops was less and less.

Who'd have thought that later on in life I'd be on my second heat gun (I burned my first one out) and I'd be embossing away happily.:D

Sorry, just thought of another reason for the matte and non-raised embossing powder:

You might have overheated it - I did that one of the last times I embossed and if the powder gets too hot, it sinks into the paper and gets rather dull in color. I did it with gold embossing powder so it REALLY was noticeable, but thankfully it was a uniform overheating and I could say "I meant to do that."