EMBOSSING

     Embossing is a common technique used in handmade cards which gives raised texture to the paper. Basically, there were two types of embossing - Dry embossing and Wet embossing.

Dry Embossing:

     Dry embossing can be done using a simple tool called stylus onto a stencil or embossing plate.

stylus and Fiskars embossing plate       

Stylus is a simple tool with a little ball on its head which can be rubbed onto a stencil /embossing plate to emboss the paper. When we were kids , when there is a embossed design on the surface of the pencil box, we used to scrub on it with a pencil by placing a paper over the box and we get the pattern transfered onto the paper. Also with coins we do the same to get its impression. The same technique is applied when we use stylus.



Heart shapes embossed with stylus using embossing plate

 



 



Also, we can use cuttlebug machine to do embossing using the embossing plates or embossing folder.

Cuttlebug machine

 

Embossing work is easily done using this machine quickly when we compare doing this work with stylus which leads to sore fingers.

    

     My family is in printing business and they do embossing in paper with huge machines. When I showed this cuttlebug to my brother and demonstrated him how it works, he was quite surprised to see the little machine that  produces the same effect as a big industrial machine. The investing cost of cuttlebug is quite high but neat work can be done in minutes. Die cutting also can be done using this machine.

 

Cuttle bug comes with plate A, Plate B and some techniques need plate C as well. For embossing using Fiskars embossing plate, we need embossing pads too. 

 Embossing pads

 

 Plate A , embossing pad, embossing plate, card that is to be embossed,another embossing pad, and plate B

 

For doing embossing using Fiskars embossing plate in cutttlebug, we need to arrange the plates in such a order specified in the picture above before we scroll it inside the cuttlebug.

 

final embossed effect on paper

 

variation- using embossing folder 

Embossing folder

 

The above picture shows the way to arrange embossing folder between the plates, to do embossing in cuttle bug(plate A, plate B, embossing folder with card to be embossed is inserted, plate B)we need two plate B s for this technique.

                                                     Embossed image on paper

Embossed card after coloring

 

Wet Embossing:

 

     Wet embossing is done using stamps or stencil, watermark stamp pad that creates translucent image, embossing powder, heat blow tool, one or two papers to hold the spilled embossing powder.

 

 

 

        1. If you use stamp, then daub ink from stamp pad. If you use stencil , then place the stencil onto the cardstock where you need the embossed image, with dauber apply the ink onto the stencil.

 

    can u see the translucent stamped watermark on the paper?

same method of applying watermark ink to the stencil using dauber



 



2. Sprinkle embossing powder onto the inked surface so that the powder stick onto the surface of the stamped or stenciled pattern

sprinkling embossing powder and removing excess

 

 

 

 

3. Plug on blow heating tool and apply heat onto the design so that the powder melts and emboss the design.

Here is the interesting part , powder is melting...

 

 

Embossing is done using the stencil

For stamped and embossed design, finishing touch of adding colors

 



 

 

4. The heating tool (300W) produces so much heat so be careful while using it.

 

some more samples of cards made using this technique:

 

 

Embossing is a fun technique which adds beauty to your card without any embellishment , it adds wonderful texture to the card.