Heat Embossing On Paper

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My hope in creating this papercrafting blog is that it can be your one-stop shop for learning all things papercrafting…and I’m slowly working on building up my collection of resources here. Today I want to talk about a classic technique for card making, and that is heat embossing. We’ll talk about what it is, materials needed, and how to emboss paper. If you’ve never tried embossing before, I think you will want to!

What Is It?

Heat embossing is a technique that allows you to create raised, glossy accents on your cards and other paper craft projects. This is done by stamping with Versamark ink, sprinkling powder over the top, and then heat setting the powder.

I’ll mention that there is another type of embossing in papercrafting, and that is dry embossing. This type of embossing uses a plastic folder and the Stampin Cut And Emboss Machine to add texture to the paper. Learn more about dry embossing here.

But like I said, today we are talking about heat embossing!

Benefits Of This Technique

The addition of raised, glossy accents adds a special element to your projects. By using gold, silver, or other metallic powder, you also get the addition of some glitz and glam.

Using embossing also allows the use of special techniques. You can watercolor over embossed areas using water painters. You can use clear embossing over designer paper or other designs, then sponge ink over the top of the clear embossing. The result is that the embossed areas resist ink and other areas absorb it. Many other techniques are possible as well.

Materials Needed

To heat emboss paper, you will need Versamark ink, an embossing buddy, embossing powder, a heat tool, and a coffee filter or scrap paper.

Instructions

Here are the instructions for heat embossing!

First, gently rub an embossing buddy over the top of your paper. This will remove any static and moisture that might cause excess embossing powder to cling to the paper.

Ink your stamp with Versamark ink.

Next, stamp onto cardstock.

Over top of a coffee filter, leftover container, or scrap paper, sprinkle embossing powder over the stamped areas.

Shake off the excess.

If excess powder clings to the paper, turn the paper over, and flick it gently on the back side with your finger.

If excess powder still remains, use a small paintbrush to remove it.

Lastly, use a heat tool to heat the powder until it melts. I typically hold my heat tool about 2″ from the paper. Below you can see the center area has begun to melt.

Continue using the heat tool until the entire area is glossy. When done, let it set for a few seconds until it cools down.

Video Tutorial

Heat embossing is such a neat technique! Would you like to learn more or watch along as I show exactly how to do it? Watch here!

I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial, and I hope you’ll try this technique out soon!

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