How to Use Ink in Embossing

A beautiful, heat-embossed image hinges on the embossing powder and the type of ink you use to create a design with rubber stamps. Discover ways to combine the two mediums to generate a variety of colors, textures and effects for handmade cards, tags and scrapbook pages.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rubber stamps
• Stamping ink
• Cardstock
• Embossing powder
• Heat tool

1. Choose a pigment-based ink or one labeled, "embossing ink." Dye-based inks dry too quickly to allow the embossing powder to adhere properly. Embossing inks are available in pad, pen and even roll-on form.

2. Use embossing ink or "watermark" ink in combination with clear embossing powder if you simply want a glossy, tone-on-tone image on your cardstock. Try it to create subtle backgrounds for cards or scrapbook layouts. (See Resources)

3. Achieve colored looks in one of two ways. Either stamp with clear ink and sprinkle with a colored embossing powder or stamp with a colored ink and emboss with a clear powder to allow the ink color to show through.

4. Invert the stamp once you've selected the ink and powder colors. Pounce the pad on the surface of the rubber to coat it completely. Any dry spots will leave gaps in your embossed design.

5. Press the stamp straight down onto on your cardstock without rocking it. Lift it straight up to avoid smearing the design.

6. Sprinkle embossing powder over the ink, tap off the excess and apply heat with an embossing tool to melt the powder.

Tips & Warnings

• If you end up with any gaps in the embossed image, fill them in with an embossing pen, add more powder and heat so it will blend in with the original design.