​​​​​​​Essential Heat Embossing Tools

Essential Heat Embossing Tools 

There’s nothing quite as magical as embossing. Through this technique, you can achieve a variety of beautiful looks and finishes to your stamped images. Embossing is the process of creating a raised impression or image on a surface. If you’re interested in learning how to heat emboss, here are essential embossing materials and tools you should get acquainted with:

Embossing Essentials

Embossing Powders

Embossing powders are finely ground up plastic-type particles, technically known as thermoplastic polymers that are finely ground into powder. There are many types of embossing powder: coloured, opaque, glitter, metallic, pearly, clear, translucent, etc. The variety of embossing powders available make it possible for you to achieve numerous dazzling finishes! 

When embossing you should also know the difference between ULTRA FINE, REGULAR, and ULTRA THICK embossing powder. As the term implies, Ultra Fine comes in super fine, baby powder-like particles. It is ideal to use in embossing super fine, detailed images. Regular embossing powders are those that usually come without any label of it being ultra-fine or ultra-thick. This is your go-to powder for everyday use since it’s great for just about anything. But it might be difficult to use for super fine-line images. Last but not the least, there’s the Ultra Thick embossing powder. It’s recommended to use if you want to achieve tons of gloss, dimension, and raise on your stamped image. 

Ink Pads (Embossing Ink, Watermark Ink)

You’d need to use sticky embossing ink, also known as watermark ink, with your rubber stamp so there would be enough time for the embossing powder to stick. What works best for embossing is pigment-type ink since they dry very slowly. You can also use distress oxide ink which is a hybrid of slow drying pigment and dye-based ink allowing you to apply the powder prior to the ink drying. In general, embossing inks are your best choice when it comes to embossing.

Embossing Pen

It is basically a pen form of embossing ink. This allows you to draw your own doodles and little sentiments. Embossing pens are an essential crafting tool for those looking to add some pop and dimension to their projects. They are available in different brush tips (medium, broad, and brush tips) and each provides different effects that can be used with any number of materials like paper or fabric.

Tweezers 

A craft tweezer can be a handy tool for holding the paper while heating so you won’t scorch your fingers.

Anti-Static Powder Tool 

This is another embossing must-have. Use this to treat the cardstock before embossing. What it does is eliminate oils or static from the cardstock so there won’t be any stray powders clinging on your cardstock. To make sure your embossing project looks neat and without powders stuck in areas where you didn’t emboss, do not skip your anti-static pouch or goodbye static anti-static pad. 

Super Fine Dry Paint Brush

It’s very helpful in getting rid of excess particles, especially those stuck in areas where you don’t want them. 

Heating Tool

Also known as an embossing gun or heat gun, it melts down the embossing powder. Do not use a hair dryer in place of a heating tool since there is too much air force and do not provide enough heat to melt the embossing powders.

Rubber or Clear Stamps

Of course, you need a rubber stamp or any clear stamp to create the embossing designs since it’s the one that creates your design. Any stamp can be used, although it's easier to get a clean embossed image using a stamp with bold, clear lines.