Basic Embossing with Rubber Stamps
by: Lydia Trimmer
This is a simple technique using Rubber Stamps and Thermal Embossing that will add dimension to your cards and artwork. Nothing looks as elegant as a stamped image that has been embossed in gold and has rich color added to enhance your artwork.
You can use rubber stamps and thermal embossing on many different surfaces such as paper, glass, wood, leather, tile and ceramic objects. It's fun to experiment and create your own unique and individual sense of style. Don't be timid and have fun.
The following steps will teach the beginner where to start Embossing with rubber stamps takes practice and the more you do it, the better your results. Remember your art is unique to your personal style. It reflects your personal experience. It conveys your emotions. So use your imagination! Use color!!
The colors you choose to use with your rubber stamps can convey your personal style and make a statement. Reds reflect warmth and blue can reveal cool and soothing moods. Greens and violet contain both warm and cool elements.
MATERIALS:
Rubber Stamps
Embossing Ink Stamp Pad
Embossing Heat Gun
Embossing Powder or Tinsel
Something to stamp on
Choose a paper or craft object to Emboss. Don't limit yourself to just plain paper. Rubber stamping and embossing works well on fabric, glass, mirrors, tiles and terra cotta pots. Experiment with a variety of papers and transparencies, shrink plastic, laminated sheets, wood and metal.
Ink and stamp your image on your paper or craft object using a slow drying Pigment Ink Pad.
Tap your rubber stamp firmly several times on the Embossing Ink Pad in order to completely ink the stamp. Make sure the rubber is completely covered with ink. Always stamp a new rubber stamp onto a piece of scrap paper for the first time to make sure all areas of the image are well inked. Place your rubber stamp firmly on the paper, being careful not to rock the stamp. Rocking will result in blurred lines. Large rubber stamps require more care in pressing down on all corners of the stamp. Each rubber stamp is different and you will learn how to best stamp each one. Some need more pressure in order to get the perfect image.
The difference between pigmented inks and dye inks is evident in that the Pigment inks stay "wet" longer. Pigment inks do not work well on glossy card stock unless you are EMBOSSING the image. There are many choices of slow drying pigment inks with slight tints to dark shades or no color at all.
After rubber stamping your image with pigment ink, sprinkle embossing powder over the image. Turn the artwork and gently tap off excess embossing powder. Use a dry paintbrush to remove any stray flecks from surrounding areas. Do this before you heat the image. If the powder is not sticking to the image in even heavy coats check to be sure you rubber stamp is well inked.
Keeping your embossing powder in stackable plastic containers will allow you to catch the excess powder. Alternatively collecting excess unused embossing powder is easy if you use a file folder or a sheet of glossy paper torn from a magazine under your card stock, then transfer the powder back into the jar. Pick up the paper by its edges and use the centerfold as a funnel to direct the powder back into the jar.
Embossing powders also come in a wide variety of choices, from Ultra Fine to Tinsel. Both the pigment ink and embossing powder are available in many color choices as well as metallic, pearlescent and other unusual compositions.
The final step is to direct hot air from your heat tool over the powder. This will melt the powder and create the Thermal embossed effect.
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Basic Embossing with Rubber Stamps
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About The Author
Lydia Trimmer
Rubber Stamps and Scrapbooking Supplies from www.StampingBug.com was founded by Dawn Reaume and Her mother Lydia 10 years ago. They also operate Rubber Stamp Chat, a friendly place for stampers to share cards and ideas.
thestampingbug@yahoo.com
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