How to Emboss With an Embossing Tool

Embossed images can add a stylish three-dimensional effect to your arts and crafts projects. This is an easy technique to learn and one that children can quickly pick up too.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your favorite stencil
• Embossing tool
• Card stock
• A light box or sunny window

1. 
    
   Place stencil on light box

   Place your favorite stencil on the light box. Overlay the card stock. Make sure that the side of the card stock that you want the embossing on faces away from you. If you don't have a light box, hold the stencil and card stock up against a sunny window (if your arms get tired, tape the stencil and card stock to the window).

2. 
    
   Trace with embossing tool

   Use the embossing tool to trace around the inside of the stencil. You may wish to repeat this step for a greater effect, but take care not to tear the card stock.

3. 
    
   Ta daa!

   Turn your card stock over and admire your embossing! Add your embossed image to cards, gifts or other arts and crafts projects.

4. You can use paper instead of card stock, but you will need to be careful so the paper doesn't tear when using the embossing tool.

5. You can create your own stencil using your favorite punch and a piece of card stock - punch out your design and use that as the stencil.

Tips & Warnings

• If you emboss the front cover of a greeting card, keep in mind that the indentation from the embossing will be visible on the inside of the greeting card. If you want to cover this up, insert another piece of paper on the inside of the card, or use a scrap piece of card to emboss your image and then paste this on the front of the greeting card.
• If you have a stencil that faces a particular direction, the completed embossed image will face the opposite direction.
• Certain types of card stock may be too thick or dark in color for you to see the stencil, even if you're working on a light box. Before you purchase expensive card stock for embossing purposes, make sure you will be able to see the stencil through the card stock.