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I read most of this thread and scanned the rest so I apoplogize if this was mentioned but one of the things that helps me get a good emboosing is to do so in a well-lit area. It makes a big difference in being able to see the changes that happen as the heat melts the embossing powder.
TeeGeeDee....I totally agree with you on the lighting issue. It is a rather subtle change and you have to watch as you heat the powder. Good lighting really helps and don't look away while heating or you'll miss the transition.
I read most of this thread and scanned the rest so I apoplogize if this was mentioned but one of the things that helps me get a good emboosing is to do so in a well-lit area. It makes a big difference in being able to see the changes that happen as the heat melts the embossing powder.
Ooo, yes! A great big ole DITTO here. As soon as I turn on my heat gun, I lean my head to see the light reflect on the EP so that I can see the instant it melts. As soon as it does, I immediately move the gun. I read this here and perhaps from TeeGeeDee. When I first started embossing, the end result was an ugly tan on the edges.. not pretty. All that work to get to the stage of embossing then.. complete ruin.. grrrrr! :twisted:
Now, ain't these sweet SCS sisters and brothers just wonderful!! They tirelessly post and post to help us learn, then learn more. Consider yourselves hugged! May God bless, Sandi
__________________ StormyElf'd '07Humble Ink Smears If at first you don't succeed, talk to God! Then, go put on your big girl panties!
I just tried my hand at embossing over the weekend and had a DISASTER! I warped the card table I was working on (duh--it gets hot!!!) and never could get a good result. It seemed like the image was very bumpy and pitted, rather than being smooth. I was using MS EP. I tried using the pad that came w/ the kit and then switched to pigment ink w/ very little improvement. Any suggestions?
I read somewhere... not sure if it was here or elsewhere... to put your piece to be embossed in a throw away aluminum pan like the kind you bake in.. and then use your heat gun while its in that pan. It works great. I have done it. The pan takes the heat instead of your work surface.
yes ditto on the good lighting to watch for the change on the surface of the embossing.
I happen to use a cardboard-shoebox lid to hold my cardstock (the aluminium tray sounds good too, already suggested).
Rather than sitting it onto a tabletop though, try holding the lid/tray in one hand, so that you can TILT it to the light-source and watch for the changes.
Too bumpy or pitted result means over-heating (I'm sure it's already been said).
Good luck and don't give up; it'll happen before you know it.
yes ditto on the good lighting to watch for the change on the surface of the embossing.
I happen to use a cardboard-shoebox lid to hold my cardstock (the aluminium tray sounds good too, already suggested).
Rather than sitting it onto a tabletop though, try holding the lid/tray in one hand, so that you can TILT it to the light-source and watch for the changes.
Too bumpy or pitted result means over-heating (I'm sure it's already been said).
Good luck and don't give up; it'll happen before you know it.
yes ditto on the good lighting to watch for the change on the surface of the embossing.
I happen to use a cardboard-shoebox lid to hold my cardstock (the aluminium tray sounds good too, already suggested).
Rather than sitting it onto a tabletop though, try holding the lid/tray in one hand, so that you can TILT it to the light-source and watch for the changes.
Too bumpy or pitted result means over-heating (I'm sure it's already been said).
Good luck and don't give up; it'll happen before you know it.
yes ditto on the good lighting to watch for the change on the surface of the embossing.
I happen to use a cardboard-shoebox lid to hold my cardstock (the aluminium tray sounds good too, already suggested).
Rather than sitting it onto a tabletop though, try holding the lid/tray in one hand, so that you can TILT it to the light-source and watch for the changes.
Too bumpy or pitted result means over-heating (I'm sure it's already been said).
Good luck and don't give up; it'll happen before you know it.
yes ditto on the good lighting to watch for the change on the surface of the embossing.
I happen to use a cardboard-shoebox lid to hold my cardstock (the aluminium tray sounds good too, already suggested).
Rather than sitting it onto a tabletop though, try holding the lid/tray in one hand, so that you can TILT it to the light-source and watch for the changes.
Too bumpy or pitted result means over-heating (I'm sure it's already been said).
Good luck and don't give up; it'll happen before you know it.
I usually use a wooden clothespin (a spring-action one) to hold a corner of the the piece I'm embossing. Sometimes this isn't feasible so I also have some long wooden skewers (I stock up during BBQ season and put a few with my craft supplies) to hold down the piece being embossed. Definitley tilt it to the light source as Carole M. suggested!
I've also read that some folks use a wooden clipboard but I can't find mine and haven't seen them in stores (when I remember to look). I do have some pieces of MDF (or something like it) that I lay my cardstock on when embossing. Be sure whatever you use has a smooth texture.
If the cardstock bends just gently heat the other side (someone once said if you do something to both sides you get better, "even" results and I find this to be true for heat embossing and watercoloring.)
I really like the shoe box and aluminum tray idea. I am definatly going to try this idea and the clothes pin trick as well. Thanks to all for suggesting it.
I use my craft sheet by Ranger to emboss on. It's made of a Teflon material so is very heat resistent. You can even iron on it. I just hold my project in my fingers with no problem over the mat.
