How to Make Embossed Photo Mats

Photo mats add a polished style to the pictures on your scrapbook pages. One way to add some extra pizazz to your photo mats is by using embossed stamps along the edges. This adds some extra shimmer and elegance to your scrapbook pages. Use these steps to create embossed photo mats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cardstock
• Photograph
• Embossing powder
• Embossing ink
• Stamp
• Embossing heat tool
• Adhesive

1. Choose paper to mat the picture. You can choose from pre-cut photo mats or you can make a mat from a paper of your choice. Pick a solid color paper so the embossed stamp design will be visible.

2. If you want to make your own photo mat, start by deciding how wide to make your mat. Most mats are ¼ to ½ inches larger on each side than the picture. Measure these dimensions on the paper, then cut the mat.

3. Choose a stamp. Most stamps will work for this technique. However, you will get the best results by choosing a stamp that coordinates with the picture or the scrapbook page.

4. Choose the embossing powder. There are many types of embossing powders. You should match the embossing powder to the intricacy of the stamp that you’ve chosen. Use finer embossing powders for detailed stamps.

5. Choose the ink. The color of the ink isn’t very important because the stamp will take on the color of the embossing powder. Most people use a clear ink or ink that matches the color of the embossing powder. Choose a slow-drying embossing ink to get the best results.

6. Apply ink to the stamp. Make sure to get even coverage on the stamp.

7. Stamp around the edge of the photo mat. Don’t be afraid to have part of your stamp go off the mat. Just make sure to have another piece of paper under the mat if you’re going to stamp off the page.

8. Pour the embossing powder over the stamped images. Tap off any excess powder so you have an outline of each of the stamps.

9. Move the embossing heat tool slowly over the image. The embossing powder will melt and take on a raised appearance.

10. Adhere the picture to the embossed photo mat. Use extra adhesive to secure the picture because the embossed images make it more difficult to keep in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave most of the area under the photo empty. It is difficult to adhere the photo on top of the embossed sections of the mat.
• Don’t adhere your picture to the photo mat until you are done embossing the mat to avoid damaging the picture.