Need Embossing HELP
 

Okay... totally new to this whole world of embossing... I am using versamark ink on one of the new garden silhouette stamps on groovy guava paper and then wanting to emboss with black embossing powder... after tapping and trying to brush off the excess... I still have like a light dusting of embossing powder on the paper ... looks like a soft cloud around the image... Any hints would be appreciated.

I USUALLY TAKE A SMALL STENCIL BRUSH AND BRUSH AWAY OR FLICK THE BACK SIDE OF THE PAPER. ALSO IF THE VERSAMARK DOES NOT HOLD WELL I HAVE USED THE ESSENTIALS GLUE PAD BY THE SAME CO.

Before stamping, I rub the paper with a "Swiffer" dust cloth (I've heard other people using a dryer sheet); I think this is supposed to cut down on static cling. If there is still some EP where I don't want it, then I also use a very fine brush to remove excess.

I always use the SU powder Pal - works great..

Couldn't add to this ... the static is really important to deal with before stamping and embossing.

Instead of Versamark, I use Black Craft ink and clear embossing powder when I want a black image. Makes for much crisper and cleaner results.

You guys are great... will go try all the ideas... I thought about the black craft ink but didn't have it yet... I am still new to SU! but learning as I go... thanks to people like all of you...

Website with Step-by-Step Embossing Instructions
 

I am mostly a self-taught stamper who has learned from the pros here at SCS and several other educational websites. Here is a link to embossing instructions that I think you will find helpful:

http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/Embossing/291.php

GREAT Tutorial, Laurel - thanks so much for sharing... I am learning so much ... yea!!

I am so frustrated!!! I read the embossing tutorial. My question is: should I use the versamark. In the tutorial it seems they suggest versamark. My versamark pad has ink on it from other stamps. Not much, but I can't seem to clean my stamps well enough.

SO, is versamark the best ink to use. I have white pigment ink, but it just won't let the powder cling to it.

Colored embossing ink makes that color embossing, correct. I have a silver embossing pad and it seems to make silver whether I use white iridescent or silver.

I guess I'm wondering what is the least expensive way to get the most colors for embossing. What is the best ink to use.

Thanks for your help.

I think that you might want to try using colored ink (in this case black pigment) and then emboss with clear embossing powder. Be sure to use the embossing buddy first. By using colored ink and clear embossing powder, you not only get a nice black image, whether or not the embossing powder is there, but you also will minimize the little specks of embossing powder that might show up because they will be clear. Try it. It usually works.

This is economical too because all you really need is clear embossing powder and clear detail embossing powder. (And every color of pigment ink !!)

I purchased embossing buddy from Stampin Up. Wipe over cardstock before stamping....it works great. I use versa mark, but alot of my friends us the Craft Pads from SU to emboss with because the ink is thick and sticky. It works well too if you want it a specific color with the craft pads.

Are you talking about the classic SU pads. I have some SU pads from ages ago and they have hardly any ink. Are the new ones stickier or are you talking about the SU pads that are for embossing?

I finally broke down and bought an embossing buddy but it was from Michaels and not called that. Its made the world of difference!

OK here it is... my fav. trick with empossing powder leftovers..... drum roll please.... it is really that good!!!.... use 'canned air', you know, the kind :-D for cleaning computers!!!! it is truly amazing... I can't live without it. It is also the best for cleang and 'bits' of crap off of your work area. well now I've given my best kept secret away... enjoy ladies!

Here are some things to follow to ensure a successful embossing attempt:

1. ALWAYS start with clean hands!! Your hands always have residue on it- from our daily activities. So, I highly recommend washing your hands before you start and drying them well, without using any cream after. The oils will cause stray EP to stick and give you that halo you do not want. Handle the paper you want to emboss minimally as well.

2. You want to take away the static on the paper. This can be done with the embossing buddy from SU or anti static from your LSS. Or using a swiffer cloth, or a new dryer sheet (do this lightly). Or I've seen people suggest using an unbleached coffee filter (new from packet) to wipe over the area you want to emboss.

3. Embossing ink- you can use Versamark or you can use Top Boss. Either works well.

4. Make sure your stamps are clean!! Especially if you are suing Versamark- the ink is very sticky and may leave a residue on the stamp, causing the "halo". If you are stamping, make sure you are suing deeply etched rubber- some of the dollar store stamps and the dollar stamps at Micheals are fairly shallow and that is why you are getting the halo. When you ink up the stamp, don't press too hard!! Especially if your versamark/Top Boss Pad is very juicy.

5. Stamp your image and don't wait too long before you apply the EP. Most Cs are not coated so the Embossing ink seeps into the paper and becomes less tacky over time. (so don't stamp 300 images before you put your EP on them- its better to work in small batches)

6. I don't use a fancy powder pal or anything. A piece of photocopy paper suffices for the EP step. Usually, I pour about 1-2 tsp ful of EP onto the folded piece of paper (or a bill, I am always using my bills for my EP), Gently scoop up the EP with the stamped image, shake gently to cover stamped image and tap off the extra EP onto the scrap paper.

7. It is very handy to have on hand: a fine paint brush to brush off the stray bits of EP, and a pair of tweezers to hold onto small pieces of paper you want to emboss. Using your heat tool, gently run the tool over the paper- about 4-6 inches away and watch the EP melt. I would recommend trying different times and distances to see what effect overheating and underheating the EP can do . Each brand of EP behaves differently.

8. Remember to emboss in a well ventilated area. You are melting powders and this can release all kinds of fumes.....

Hope this helps.
Welcome to the magical world of embossing!!

embossing-craft pad
 

SU has regular classic pads, but they also have a line of craft pads-which are stickier in a variety of colors. My friends use clear embossing powder with the craft pads, so the color of the ink you us is the color that shows when embossed.:D

Sometimes it's the embossing powder that's the problem---try not to get it damp. I store mine with those little silica drying packets that come in shoe boxes or purses. Also if the powder is flying off, you might want to try heating with the heat gun from the bottom of the paper.

When using an irridescent embossing powder or any that contain glitter, more of the ink color that is used for the stamping (in this case your silver ink) will appear even though you are using a white irridescent. If you want a white to be the base color which would show up on darker paper a white ink would need to be used. Some embossing powders are translucent and will not appear as solid as you might hope. The best thing to do in that situation is to use a matching color ink. This may sound confusing. If you experiment and possibly jot down what ink and what powder was used it may become clearer to you. An opacque embossing powder will give more intense coverage. If the embossing powder chosen is an opacque powder I prefer to use Versa Mark ink (it's much easier to clean off the stamp than the metallic inks). To get the ultimate coverage use matching ink and embossing powder. This really helps on dark paper. I hope that helps. This is my first post so I hope I did it correctly.

A little about inks:
There are several kinds of inks out there.

Dye inks are what most people use. It is SU Classic Inks. You cannot use this for embossing unless you follow it with a embossing ink like Versamark or Top Boss. (but then your ink pad will get all grubby). The inks soak immediately into the paper and is not "tacky" enough to grab onto the embossing powder.

Pigment inks are what you would use for embossing. SU Craft inks are pigment inks, so are the Encore Pads etc. It has pigments in it so it gives better coverage and richer colours. It also takes longer to dry, hence being ideal for embossing.

There are also hybrid inks like the Stewart Superior Palette Hybrid Noir Inks that a lot of the Dirty Dozen Girls like to use. I am not sure if you can emboss with it.

To emboss, lots of people also use Versamark and Top Boss. Both are colourless, although I think Top Boss also makes a tinted ink for those who cannot "see" the clear inks.

As mentioned by Pinky 2, for a richer colour, you can do a tone on tone embossing. You use a coloured pigment ink, say red, with red embossing powder. If you use clear embossing ink with red embossing powder, you will still get a red image, but the image may not be as rich as this depends on how much EP you put on in the first place and how much coverage there was.

Coloured pigment ink + Transparent EP = Coloured image
Coloured Pigment ink + Coloured EP= More intensely coloured image

For fine line details, you will need Detail EP or else the lines will not come out clearly. The"grind" of the EP is smaller. I would say just get detail EP for your everyday use and that just solves your problems.

Does anyone know the difference between SUs regular Embossing Powder and the Detailed Embossing Powder? I have a client asking and since they are retiring the Detailed, it makes me think there isn't much difference.

Thanks!
 

Thanks, Laurel and everyone else, for the great embossing techniques and suggestions. I am just starting to emboss some of my cards and find your suggestions very helpful. So far I have only used VersaMark and found it to work well.

Sue

Powder Pal???
 

What is a Powder Pal? I have been rubber stamping for a while now but I have never heard of this item? What is its purpose?

Powder Pal
 

It's a tray that that helps keep your area clean when you are using embossing powder or glitter. The Stampin' Up Powder Pal has 2 trays and a brush for $19.95. I just bought a similar one at JoAnn's for less than half that much (with their 40% off sale last week). It only has one tray and does not have a brush though. They help keep your powder or glitter in one place and allow you to pour it back. I have also used a folded piece of paper which works well and is much less expensive.

Sue

SU no longer do detail embossing powder since the new catty! It was much finer and great for words, I'm so disappointed. Never mind I still have some left from before!

:)

Thanks Sue! I have a "Tidy Tray" which I believe is the same thing. I figured that all out after I posted my question. I really appreciate you responding!!

~juanita

any fabric sack with talc powder inside will help eliminate this problem. There is another product on the market too but I can't think of it

When I first started I had a lot of trouble with black embossing powder. I was shown to stamp with black pigment ink and emboss with clear powder. They told me that black EP is the worst for clumping and that is why I was having so much trouble. It is especially bad if you are stamping something that has fine detail, because of the clumping.