Embossing problems.

[Robynrose]

I am very new to stamping and having difficulties embossing. I wipe the card with the special pad prior to stamping yet still I get wanted speckles. Is there some secret I need to know. Thank you in advance.
Cheers R

[charming]

I get speckles when my ep is all shook up and static-charged.
So I don't use a shaker and tray.
I keep mine in a card sized bin and lay project in and spoon ep onto embossing ink
I let it sit for a moment or two.
I dump excess ep off without sliding it all around as much as possible.
If you need to scrape/brush/use a post-it to remove any extra powder... do not put the little lumps or specks back into the 'pot' as they are now sticky and may ruin the next project.
Discard these little gummy specks and lumps.
then heat from the bottom and it should be all right.
the lumps won't get blown around or knocked with the heat tool...2 things I've actually done!


If I am making multiple projects and specks will be inevitable
(like with 20 swaps using black craft and black ep...impossible!)
then I make a deliberate spot of excess ep just to make it look like all the stray specks are a design element!
(antique books get a similar mark called 'foxing' I think)
either do it freehand ... make a little sprinkling and heat from underneath or use an ultrafine speckle background stamp and emboss at the same time!
technique looks great with vintage and graffiti styles in collage format.

alternate solution:
use a colored embossing ink (use SU! craft ink instead of versamark ) and emboss with clear ep.

any specks/errors will be clear and will not show up unless you need to brayer the background or add anther image there.


also helpful !
make a post-it mask! remove before heating.


hth!gl!
char

[Robynrose]

Thank you soooo much for that advice Char and I will take heed of it and let you know how it goes. I probably won't have time to do any stamping for a couple of days as I tutor P&Q part time.
Cheers Robyn

[allamericanstampers]

Charming!! You had some great ideas in there and I love the "foxing" idea!! Sometimes mistakes make our greatest creations!

I use the static pad as well and after I've sprinkled the embossing powder on and tipped it back off. I stand the paper straight up and down and give it a good snap with my fingers. That tends to get most of those pesky flakes off and is quick and easy.

I know when I brush the sprinkles off, I have accidently gotten into my image and then either ruin that or, resprinkle on more embossing powder!!

Good luck. And remember, you are your own worst critic!!

[Robynrose]

Thank you and yes I am my own worst critic, A type personality. LOL

[mnhyrkas]

I use a little bristle brush to get the extra specks. or a qtip might work too.

[Robynrose]

Thank you for your tip. I think I need to learn that you walk before you run too> LOL

[Susanna]

I don't have the embossing buddy but I just use a dryer sheet to wipe my paper and my powder pal. I also use static spray on my brush and let it dry a bit before I use it.

[Robynrose]

Thanks Suzy, Funny enough I thought of trying a dryer sheet. My brain can't be too dormant after all. LOL
Cheers Robyn