Getting Started with Embossing

[Mirabella]

Due to a very tight budget I have been limited in what supplies I can buy. I do not own any of the machines, dies (sp?) and I have never even embossed. I know :o!
I am wondering if anyone could suggest basics for someone new to embossing. For example, there are so many types of embossing powders- fine, extra fine, etc. What type is best?

[poppydarling]

I guess it depends on what you will be heat embossing – stamped greetings? Or fine-line stamped images? Or images with lots of solid area?

I don't think you can go wrong with a fine clear embossing powder to start. That way, you can turn any color ink into an embossed image. And the fine powder will have you covered in case you want to emboss a greeting, which often has fine lines that might get lost once a larger pellet powder melts.

When I started heat embossing, I just had white and clear for the longest time! I only recently added a couple of metallics. You can do a lot with just those.

[Mirabella]

Thanks so much! That helps.

[xayide2]

The only embossing powders I have are black, white, clear, gold and silver. All are the extra fine detail variety for embossing words.

You can turn any colored ink into one that holds embossing powder by inking up with the clear Versamark pad first then your colored inkpad over that. It will help make the ink stickier so you have time to heat emboss clear powder over it.

If you already are using a pigment ink, you can skip that step.

[stampin stacy]

Like has already been said I would think about how and what you would use them on/for then go from there but basic colors are the best place to start in my opinion - black, gold, silver, clear, white.


My first EP was gold, lol. Just loved the sparkle and shine it gave to everything. Wasn't long before I realized I needed more. Kept on buying until I had a drawer full of colors and kinds, most of which I now wish I hadn't wasted my money on. A lot of the glitter EP's didn't adhere to paper very well and some of the others I purchased on a whim then never used.



all that being said: that pot of gold EP was what got me started as a stamper...

[buggainok]

I don't emboss much, but when I do, gold is what I use. It is nice for sentiments, and will go with any color scheme.

[Erum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampin stacy

A lot of the glitter EP's didn't adhere to paper very well and some of the others I purchased on a whim then never used.

Yikes! I hope it isn't WOW Glitter EPs that you are talking about. I just ordered a couple.

[stampin stacy]

I couldn't tell you for sure but I don't think Wow was one of them.

Also wanted to mention that I have rubbed chalk pastels over white EP then re-heated the image briefly to permanently "set" the chalk. I looked for a picture but didn't find one too long ago since I played with EP's but you get the idea. Once melted into the stamped image the chalk isn't going anywhere just don't reheat too long.