How to Use an Embossing Pen

Embossing your own cards and scrapbook pages adds beautiful detail and added elegance. The embossing pen is a great tool for creating your own images and writing. You can also emboss pre-printed designs with the embossing pen, adding a personal touch.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select the image you want to touch up, or find a piece of card stock to freehand your design on. You can also emboss a pre-made card--just choose the areas you would like to emboss.

2. Decide if you want thick or thin lines. Embossing pens usually have two ends with a clear embossing fluid between them. Use the thin end to trace edges or to add fine detail, and use the thicker end to fill in any larger areas you want to emboss.

3. Trace, fill in or draw the areas that you're embossing. The clear fluid is a water-based ink that helps the embossing powder adhere to the paper. You don't need to completely saturate the paper. Simply apply it lightly as if you're using a normal ink pen.

4. Sprinkle embossing powder over the areas that you apply the embossing pen to. Tap off the extra powder gently and use a small paintbrush to brush off any stray powder.

Tips & Warnings

• It's customary to use three or more layers in heat embossing. You can use the same color of embossing powder in each layer, or use different colors to get the effect you're looking for.