The busy girl's guide to embossing

Heat embossing is a quick and easy way to add dimension to your stamped images. Just stamp your image onto your card, sprinkle on some embossing powder and melt with a heat gun for a fab raised effect. Embossing powder is a fast melting powder that can be applied to a smooth surface, such as a stamped image, to create a raised effect once heated up. It’s perfect for adding colour and texture to your stamped images.

With so many different powders to choose from it can be confusing knowing which to pick, but with the help of our guide you’ll be an embossing powder expert in no time at all!

Scented

Scented embossing powders are ideal for adding a touch of fragrance to your cards. They work in the same way as standard embossing powder, but when heated they release a light fragrance. The colour of the embossing powder usually reflects the scent, for example brown for chocolate, red for cherry and white for vanilla. The scent will wear off after a couple of weeks, so leave embossing to the very last moment.

Quick Cards’ choice: Gel-a-Tins Scented Gelly Powder in Chocolate, £4.99 from Scrapdoodles stockists

Coloured

Embossing powders come in such a huge variety of colours so you’re sure to find one that complements your project perfectly. Use coloured embossing powders to bring out different elements of your stamped design, or to coordinate with your background papers. Coloured embossing powders are available in a range of finishes including matt, pearlescent and high shine, to name a few.

Quick Cards’ choice: Papermania Embossing Powders, available in a range of colours, £3.99 from docrafts

Flocked

Flocked embossing powder gives a dramatic velvet texture to your designs, however it is used in a slightly different way to standard powders. To get the best results from flock embossing powder, draw over your stamped image with glue, then add the flock powder. Alternatively you can sprinkle some Stamp ‘N’ Bond embossing powder over your stamped image, melt it using a heat gun, then immediately sprinkle flock embossing powder over the surface.

Quick Cards’ choice: Papermania Glitter Flocking Powder six-pack, £5.99 from docrafts

Thick

Thick embossing powder is made up of large granules, giving thicker coats of embossing with each layer – the opposite to detailed embossing powder. It’s ideal for creating striking textured dimensional images. This type of powder is best used with a simple, graphic stamp. Melt thick layers of powder, then stamp into the warm powder for a funky effect.

Quick Cards’ choice: Melt Art Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), £7.28 from Fred Aldous

Detailed

This extra fine embossing powder is perfect to use with any intricately detailed stamps. The final stamped image is cleaner and sharper than it would be with standard embossing powder, as the extra fine powder covers more evenly and doesn’t melt beyond the stamped line. Detail embossing powders are also available in a range of colours and finishes, so can easily be coordinated to match your card design and stamped image.

Quick Cards’ choice: Ranger Super Fine Detail Powder – Clear, £3.37 from The Handcrafted Card Company

Distressed

If you want to give your stamped designs a truly vintage look, invest in a pot of distressed embossing powder. This powder has a special property that creates a textured and aged look. After embossing just rub off the special release crystals to get the desired effect. Distressed embossing powders are perfect for achieving a worn and weathered look without the effort, which makes your cards look stylishly antique.

Quick Cards’ choice: Tim Holtz Distress Powders, available in a range of colours, £4.88 from Graphicus

Transparent

Transparent embossing powder is often flecked with holographic or glitter particles. This see-through powder is used to add a subtle shimmer and slight definition to stamped designs. It can be used with any coloured ink pad as it is clear when set with a heat tool.

Quick Cards’ choice: Stampendous Embossing Powder – Crystal Transparent, £2.95 from Sir Stampalot

5 TOP TIPS

1. Emboss over a piece of paper so you can tip excess powder back into its pot.

2. Once you’ve sprinkled embossing powder over your image, make sure you shake off any excess.

3. Slowly work your way around the embossed image with your heat gun, to make sure the powder dries evenly.

4. Don’t overheat your embossing powder as it will burn and change colour.

5. Don’t use a hairdryer to emboss – it will blow the powder away without melting.

Girls who want more... can try the following products and websites

Invest in some Stamp ‘N’ Bond to use with your flocked embossing powder or with glitter. It costs £4.60 from www.thecraftycow.co.uk
Stock up on your embossing essentials with a high quality heat tool. The Heat Buddy is a great all-rounder and costs £19.99 from www.artymiss.co.uk
Join www.craftbubble.com where you can chat to fellow card makers and hear their top tips on heat embossing and choosing embossing powders
Visit www.5min.com for helpful how-to online videos that will guide you through the ins and outs of every aspect of embossing. Perfect for beginners