Embossing question

[Rubber Stamp Nut]

When heat embossing, I am wondering if it is better to emboss by stamping in Versamark and then sprinkling colored embossing powder, or stamping in craft ink and then sprinkling with clear embossing powder. Does it make a difference??

Thanks!

[PolarBear]

Either way - same effect.

[stamper4armyman]

It depends on what you want.

I like how the craft inks will let me match my cardstock and ink in every color. Also the craft inks will stamp my 3-D items. So of rme I enjoy craft inks.

[CardLadyToo]

An embossing tip that I learned at a Rubber Stamp show - cover a small clipboard with tin foil - not only a way to hold the piece embossing but having the foil under the cardstock - helps the piece emboss faster - in my opinion it works great - I generally only use versamark with colored embossing powder - the versamark to me stays wet longer to get a good coverage of the powder.

[ninatar]

I think Versamark is a little "stickier" than craft inks, so it holds more powder.

Keep in mind that if you stamp the image with craft ink - then you have the image and you will have a clear polymer bubble from the clear embossing powder.

While opaque EP will be a 3-D raised image.

I would also like to suggest picking up a Ranger Perfect Medium pad - it is somehow drier than Versamark, so if you are working in an area with high humidity (I'm in Florida), the Ranger stuff seems to dry much faster. And it is about half the cost of a Versamark pad...

Nina

[ninatar]

BTW - here is shameless plug for a much ignored embossed image from my gallery. It is an example of the Fred Mullett technique of "painting" with embossing powders. Too bad photo doesn't show iridescence.

Gallery at Splitcoaststampers

Nina

[MoreStamps!]

I love to use colored ink with pearl EP or my own mix with Perfect pearls and clear. White ink with clear EP comes out thin I use white EP.