Blade Rubber Stamps: Decorative Embossing Techniques for Rubber Stamping

Decorative Embossing Techniques

Decorative Embossing Techniques are from the class sheets of the popular classes given by Freyja

Embossing powders have moved on from the old days of black, white, gold silver and clear! Stone, antique and pearl powders are just some of the many new effects available as well as any number of metallic, sparkle and interference products.

Embossing Powder Tips
There is no need to buy endless pots of embossing powders as many colours and finishes readily mix. Tiny amounts can easily be mixed in the crease of a piece of paper (junk mail leaflets) with the tip of a kebab or cocktail stick. If you like the result mix a little extra and keep - either in a small grip top plastic bag, empty pot or in a twist of cling film. Remember to label the sample!

A few of my favourite mixtures.
A mixture of metallics: Gold silver and copper, tipped into a pot without mixing together and used straight from the pot. A lovely random metallic effect is useful when you are not quite sure what colour you want to use. Mixing the three together gives a delicate bronze.

Making metallic powders from other colours: Plain, pearl, sparkle, stone effect powders will all mix with gold, silver or copper to create new metallic colours. Remember that cool colours such as blue, mauve, blue green and block mix best with silver and warmer colours with gold. However try both if you prefer.

Unusual mixes: It is possible to buy stone effect powders but beautiful combinations - that can't be bought - can be mixed. One of the nicest is terracotta, a little clear sparkle, and a few grains of both dark blue pearl and white granite. The result is a wonderful Italian stone effect, both flecked and luminous at the same time. Try your own mixtures. The other favourite is a moss green pearl with a little gold and copper. Do not over mix for a lovely shimmering 'shot silk' effect.

Turn solid colour into 'gilded' effect by adding a little fine gold or silver and a little clear powder to plain colours. Solid stamps show these effects best and make wonderful embellishments when cut round and attached with a sticky dot or suspended on thread for decoration. Tiny peel-offs added to co-ordinate with the main artwork could turn a very ordinary card into something special.

Some Creative Techniques

Working with Paint: Embossing powders will 'take' over acrylic paint without need for clear ink as a base. Sprinkle straight onto the paint while wet, heating will also help to dry the paint. Be prepared for thick paint to 'bubble' when heated. Try adding two or more layers before hardening and building a thick layer that can be stamped into for a raised effect. Of course, if the paint is dry then use Versamark pad, pen or re-inker to add embossing as usual.

Under and over Embossing: Embossing before and after painting gives a feeling of depth and mystery. This is most effective when using metallic and/or crystal Embossing powders.

Colouring with Embossing Powders:
Using a clear embossing pen and patience it is possible to achieve lovely results by painting/embossing portions of outline stamps. Only heat each separate colour as you add it enough just to fix the powder. You will find that several additional heating will not spoil the effect or over melt the powder. Experiment.

Using Interference Colours:
Most interference Embossing Powders (and paint such as Stewart Gill Alchemy) show up almost white on white card and as lovely shimmering colours on black or very dark card. Some are dual colours e.g. red/blue but the principle is the same. This is caused by light reflection/absorption and interaction of the pigments and mica in the powder and colour absorbency of the card surface, a complicated subject but worth learning a few facts to save disappointment when using. To show the intensity of the main colour on light card you will need to first stamp with a dark inkpad. The only way to learn this is to experiment with various card and inkpads to see the results. Make a sample strip by stamping small images and embossing with each interference EP onto acetate and place over various coloured cardstock to see the effect. Well worth the effort for future reference when stamping. Note when using some interference powders that some fine particles will resist brushing off the surface. Sometimes, especially when using acetate the residue can be wiped off after heating.

Embossing Embellishments.
Embossing Powders are very adaptable and can be used on many surfaces. Change the colour of charms, beads, small fabric and plastic flowers etc by embossing alone or with a mixture of Embossing Powders and paint. Lightly sanding hard surfaces first - with an emery board - makes the embossing, which is rather brittle more enduring. Embossing Edges of card and acetate to define. Sometimes better than adding an extra mount or layer of paper/card.

EMBOSSING NOTES

Don't handle card all over, you can actually emboss a thumbprint!! Use a tissue to hold the edge.
Use an anti-static bag, you might hate them but they help.
Use Versamark Watermark ink as it has good holding properties.
My favourite trick to remove excess powder is a good shake and flick of the paper from behind, it won't dislodge embossed areas.
A soft blow over the surface before heating gets rid of some excess embossing powder.
Heat from directly above the image, not at an angle, which may blow powder over the card.
Use a small brush to remove unwanted flecks.
Some powders stick around more than others - try another brand. Detail powder is finer, so excess can be quite a problem.
Some card holds excess powder more than other card, depending on the surface. Try to use very smooth surfaces rather than soft, velvety finishes. This applies to textured as well as plain. Also note that very absorbent and handmade paper surfaces are difficult to emboss, they absorb the holding ink so that powder will not stick. Try spraying with fixative first: this sometimes works.
Consider using Brilliance or other pigment inks and embossing with clear powder, which lets the colour show through. More mess on the stamp but less on the paper.
An embossing pen allows you to write greetings or do detailed work that can be embossed. Try adding 'spots' with the pen and embossing in white for a'snowing' effect over cards or gold to add interest and sparkle to a background.

Have fun and experiment.