How to Dry Emboss on Cards
Create elegant greeting cards, invitations and wall art using dry embossing techniques and card stock. Stencils and rubber stamps raise sections of regular cardstock into images when you apply pressure under the right circumstances. Leave the embossed imagery as is, or lightly color the designs with watercolor pencils or markers to create distinctive card designs. To use the dry embossed cards as wall art, frame the cardstock without benefit of a glass front so that the embossed work stands out.
Things You'll Need
- Cardstock
- Stencil
- Painter's tape
- Light box
- Stylus
- Wax paper
- Damp cloth
- Foam sheet
- Rubber stamp
Instructions
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Stylus
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1
Fold a section of cardstock in half. Tape a stencil onto the section of the card that you wish to dry emboss. Painter's tape peels away easier than other types of tape, but it can still pull away some of the fibers from the card. Dull the adhesive on the tape by pressing it onto fabric, and then peel it up. Do this a few times to make the tape less sticky.
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2
Unfold the cardstock. Place the card on top of a light box with the stencil side facing down. Turn on the light box. The stencil design becomes illuminated through the back side of the cardstock.
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3
Trace around the edges of the stencil design with a stylus. Apply pressure as you trace the design to raise the section of the card within the stencil opening. Do not trace the center of the stencil design. Periodically rub the stylus on a bit of wax paper to help the end flow over the paper more smoothly.
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4
Trace the entire section of the stencil design before you remove the stencil from the cardstock. It's difficult to realign the stencil over a partially embossed design. Remove the stencil to reveal the dry embossed image.
Rubber Stamp
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5
Fold a sheet of cardstock in half to make a crease. Unfold the card. With a damp cloth, wet the card on the back of the area that you wish to dry emboss. When the card fibers are wet, they are easier to manipulate.
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6
Place the card on top of a foam sheet with the wet section facing up.
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7
Press down firmly onto the wet section of the card with your choice of dry rubber stamp. The dry embossed image appears on the opposite side of the card.
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