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My friend and I were wondering what is the reason for using a light table when you dry emboss? I had one, but then I sold it. My friend doesn't have one. Is there a reason why we need one to dry emboss?
The light table shines light through the brass template and your cardstock, allowing you to see where to move your stylus across the cardstock. You can also put your stack (embossing template, then cardstock) against a window for the same effect. I've even used a glass-top table with a table lamp underneath. So, no, the light table itself isn't necessary, but you do need some sort of light source shining through in order to see what you're doing. Hope that makes sense!
You can do dry embossing without any light source - I've seen it called "blind embossing". You tape the stencil to the front of the cardstock, then flip it over and on the back side you lightly rub the stylus over the general area you're embossing. You'll start to see the outline of the stencil; you then just follow the stencil with more pressure on the stylus.
As long as you don't press too hard, you won't see your initial "test rubbing" on the front of the cardstock; you will see it on the backside but that's usually glued down to something anyway.
I've never owned a light box, but I have used the 'Pyrex' method. I use a nightlight on the end of an extension cord underneath the dish - gives a good "all over" light. I've also just held my stencil and paper up to a window during daylight hours - solar power is free!
I've already heard of someone using a pyrex dish with a strand of clear Christmas lights inside. That way the light is more evenly distributed, although I'm assuming the flashlight method works as well.
If you have a die cutting machine, try to use it to dry emboss, you just need to have an embossing pad.
I run brass stencils through my Wizard and it takes one pass to emboss the whole thing. If you use this method you don't need to limit yourself to papers that you can see through, some dense cardstocks are really difficult to use with a lightbox. I'm also able to use foils and copper with the Wizard and brass stencils, which is impossible with the lightbox!
Do u have 2 use a light table 2 dry emboss?
