Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Anyone have some easy to follow guidelines for heat embossing? Dark powder on light paper? When to use clear powder? Trying to emboss on patterned paper? What's the difference between champagne,frost,or plain Versamark? What about distressed powders or glittery ones? Should the powder you use be the same/darker/lighter as the solid cardstock you're using? I've got supplies, and my best outcome so far has been just black, plain boring black.
It all depends on the effect you are going for. I love clear EP on any color of paper, but also black, white or others. I also like the dazzling diamonds (halographic) on darker papers. I always use Versamark ink, too. If you emboss on patterned paper, you can experiment with different colors to see what works best.
__________________ Diana
*******
Save your drama for your llama.
I use more clear than anything else. I wouldn't often use dark powder on light paper - I'd just stamp in black instead.
I do have and use the metallics, mostly with the Encore Metallic inks. You get a much richer look than when you emboss just Versamark with the metallic powders.
I have one distress one somebody gave me - never been happy with it, even though I've checked out Ranger's site several times to be sure I'm doing it right.
I admire people who emboss with white EP on darker or coloured card - I think it looks fabulous. But I always seem to get stray flecks, plus I've never found one what comes out bright white, so I rarely use it.
On DP I think what you use depends on the basic colour of the paper. I've seen some fabulous gold embossing on DP.
On solid cardstock it depends on the look you want - if you use tone on tone it gives a very subtle look that can be very effective, a bit like watermarking. Or a darker colour for contrast.
At the end of the day it's subjective - if you like it it's good .
I love using it on chipboard - I'd say that's why I end up buying more - if I was just stamping images it would last ages . And the faux metal technique (in Resources) looks great too.
I've had a jar of Ranger clear embossing powder and a heat gun for a couple of years, and only a few days ago got around to trying out embossing.
It was a dismal failure.:(
I tried using several different pigment inks that I have, but the powder didn't seem to stick to the ink. When I heated it, nothing happened. I thought you could use pigment inks, but the ink didn't appear very wet when I stamped it.
Do I need Versamark ink for it to work?
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I've had a jar of Ranger clear embossing powder and a heat gun for a couple of years, and only a few days ago got around to trying out embossing.
It was a dismal failure.:(
I tried using several different pigment inks that I have, but the powder didn't seem to stick to the ink. When I heated it, nothing happened. I thought you could use pigment inks, but the ink didn't appear very wet when I stamped it.
Do I need Versamark ink for it to work?
Pigment ink should work for heat embossing. You mentioned that it didn't appear very wet - so maybe your ink pad is drying out. Can you try reinking it before trying the embossing again?
Another tip for heat embossing - I've covered a clipboard with aluminum foil and use it to hold whatever I'm embossing. The foil reflects back the heat underneath the image, giving better results.
I would definitely say your pigment inks are dry, Bugga. Maybe if you move quickly to the embossing powder, you would have better results? Don't let too much time pass after stamping before you sprinkle that powder on.
To be honest, I use just about any ink with clear embossing powder and usually get decent results. Even a dye ink, as long as it's well-inked works fine for me. Distress ink from Ranger are a good one to use, as well. Even though they are dye inks, they stay wet longer (which is also why they blend so well.) I just made a card the other day and stamped my sentiment in Melon Mambo dye ink, and clear embossed it.
To the OP, you mentioned Versamark Champagne and Frost. Those are "Dazzle" Versamark inks that Tsukineko came out with a few years ago. They work the same as regular Versamark, but are supposed to be more shimmery. Frankly, they never "dazzled" me in the least. Some may disagree, but I found them useless.
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'm sure you're right about my inks being dry. I don't have re-inkers for them, but I think I'll get some Versamark at Hobby Lobby today with my trusty coupon. I have some different pigment inks to try also. Maybe they are more juicy and will work.
I received a lovely card from an SCS'er that was embossed so beautifully, and now I'm all excited about embossing!
Tammy, I have a whole new set of Ranger distress inks that I just got from HSN. I didn't try them because they are dye inks. I'll give them a try, too.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Okay gals, got a pad of Versamark today. It makes all the difference in the world to ink the stamp in Versamark and then even my dry/pigment inkpads work great.
Also picked up silver and gold embossing powder, since all I had was the clear.
Just made a few little samples to see if it worked. Next, a card!!
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Okay gals, got a pad of Versamark today. It makes all the difference in the world to ink the stamp in Versamark and then even my dry/pigment inkpads work great.
Also picked up silver and gold embossing powder, since all I had was the clear.
Just made a few little samples to see if it worked. Next, a card!!
You can also ink your stamp with Versamark, then with dye ink and stamp. This works really well if your dye ink pads are too dry for embossing, yet you want to use clear powder with a certain color. The Versamark won't hurt your dye ink pads at all.
Gold and silver ep are fabulous. It was seeing those that first got me into stamping .
I'd agree with Tammy that if you're quick almost any ink will work - I've even embossed chalk inks.
So - show us some cards!!
ugh had type a responce and the poof it had gone:confused:
anyway, what I was trying to say is you can get anti static pads that you wipe over the area you are going to emboss, or you can use baby powder and a bounty sheet....or a bounce or tumble dryer sheet. It stops all those unwanted embossing bits.
Gold and silver ep are fabulous. It was seeing those that first got me into stamping .
I'd agree with Tammy that if you're quick almost any ink will work - I've even embossed chalk inks.
So - show us some cards!!
I will, soon, Sabrina. Just haven't made them yet.
Your last line sent me back to my childhood when we would play a game called "Lemonade."
"What's your trade - Lemonade. Show us something if you're not afraid.":mrgreen:
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Guidelines for heat embossing?
