heat n stick woes, help?

[amileary]

Hi, I am trying to use my heat and stick powder for the first time, and it isn't working! I am using Top Boss ink for my image, pouring on heat and stick, heating it, and then pouring on glitter. Well, it doesn't matter how long I heat it, the glitter won't stick. The only thing I am wondering is....the heat and stick was just unsealed and opened for the first time today, but it is kind of old. Like maybe a year. Does that stuff go bad? I am trying to make cards for a swap and getting very frustrated!! Thanks, Ami

[nkowalk]

You're probably heating it for too long before you add your glitter. Try heating just for a few seconds, until you see the Heat & Stick powder melt. Then add your glitter and heat again to set the it.

Hope that helps!

[Sereikastamper]

I agree with nkowalk, it sounds like you may just be heating it too long, I have done that and it just didn't stick at all!!! I also find that if I don't have a "wet" enough pad there is not enough H&S to make the glitter work well too!

[altheazebrina]

I agree! You can heat it tooooooooo long! And then, forget it. Also, I have never used anything but Versamark with it and it always works great. And Keri is right, it needs to be "wet" with ink to work the best.

[amileary]

thanks, gals, I tried heating it less and it was better. I decided it lost too much definition and went another route, but it's great to know for next time. Y'all are too nice

[lweller]

also, i have found that you must use a VERY wet ink. I have only used the silver, but found that if I don't really goop up the stamp, i get "holes" in my glitter image.

another trick I was told, in the event that you are concerned with "holes", use a colored ink rather than versamark or white. for instance, red glitter, use red craft ink. this way if there IS a hole in the glitter, you are seeing red rather than a stark white spot.

good luck!
lori

[stampinhappy]

What a great tip. Using colored ink under the colored glitter!!!!

[LisaS25]

I also tend to heat from the underside of the paper. I've found that my H&S powder tends to fly away otherwise (maybe my versamark is too dry) and that fixes that problem ;)

[Auntielauri]

I just used heat and bond on my Christmas cards and had no problems. I have only ever used it with versa-mark. When my SU lady taught us, she said to heat it until it just glissens - that's what I do and have never had a problem. She, also, suggested that when you add the glitter to heat it again from the botton to "set" it. Good Luck.

Auntie Lauri