Embossing: we create relief images

Embossing allows create 3D drawings. This term refers not only to scrapbooking- for example, the acting numbers and surnames on plastic cards are also made by embossing. It is clear that the tools and materials used are completely different, but the essence is absolutely the same.

Two types of embossing techniques are used in scrapbooking. To create a convex pattern using embossing, it is squeezed onto foil or paper through a stencil. But more common wet embossing (hot embossing). In this case, the volumetric pattern is created due to the heating and melting of the special powder for embossing.

For hot embossing, specific tools and materials are needed. First of all you will need special hair dryer (thermal pistol). It is needed in order to heat the powder with hot air. Most likely, you need to order such a hairdryer on the Internet. Please note that American hair dryers are powered by 110 volts, so to connect such a hair dryer to our outlets you will need a special adapter. The usual hair dryer will not work - it does not create the right temperature.

In addition to a hair dryer, you need these Consumables:

• Stamps with embossing patterns (there are wooden or silicone)


• Stamp pad with special ink and / or felt-tip pen


• embossing powder


• heavy paper


• brush

First, we take a stamp for embossing anddipped it in ink. Then we put the stamp on the paper (the denser the paper, the better - a thin paper can begin to warp from heating). We put the finished print powder on the embossing powder.

Both ink and powder for embossing are two kinds - color and colorless (transparent). Differently combining them, you can get a completely different result. Wet embossing allows you to combine:

• transparent ink and colored powder


• Color ink and transparent powder


• transparent ink and transparent powder

In addition, the final result may depend on the color of the paper on which you perform hot embossing. Instead of ink, you can use special felt-tip pens for embossing. The ink is good because you can quicklyDraw a drawing using the finished stamp. But the number of stamps is limited; Here it is useful pen markers. They can draw anything, so if you want to show your imagination, take the markers.

So, pouring powder on the picture, we wait for ita little stuck to the impression, and gently sweep away excess powder with a brush. Now you can start to heat the powder with a hairdryer. Turn on the hair dryer, let it warm up a little, and then bring it to our drawing. The optimum distance of the hair dryer is 5-8 cm from the paper. Pretty quickly the powder starts to melt, forming a convex pattern. When the finished drawing is cooled, cut it out and attach it to our product.

Embossing is a fairly simple technique. Production of details for albums and postcards inthe technique of hot embossing does not take you much time and the result is sure to please. The only drawback of this technique is the high cost of hair dryer and materials and possible problems with their delivery.