Question about heat embossing...

[SleepySuzy]

I've decided to give cardmaking a go, after struggling to find nice cards which aren't extortionately priced.

I really want to try heat embossing, so my question is..

What exactly do I need to start with - obviously a heat tool (I've found a really cheap one to buy). Do I need the same colour powder as ink? How many should I go for?

(I want to start with baby cards, and one friend is going for a C-section today! The other is due next week)

bump

here.. just scroll down the page

and here

Can I ask what is this bump malarky? I am puzzled.

Message withdrawn

Thanks! Hmm, shall I buy one?

hiya!! you'll need embossing powder. Have you already got stamps? if so, go for clear embossing powder, if not coloured powder and clear ink. if you have glitter you can add some to embossing powder for a glittery effect without buying glittered embossing powder. make up a little in a seperate container.

Nope, haven't got any yet. Thanks for the tip.

no probs forgot to add, a heat gun also dries glue and ink, can be used to shrink, shrink plastic too

Oh - another question. Can you use any inkpads - or do they need to be special ones for embossing?

From Hobycraft site below. You need either the pigment based ink or the special embossing one as the ordinary dye based one dries too quickly-

Dye based pads come in a range of vibrant, transparent colours and they dry very quickly. This makes them ideal for many papers and cards. They are not suitable for embossing.

Pigment based pads come in the widest colour range and cover the full spectrum including fluorescents, metallics and multi coloured pads. Pigment inks dry slowly and are excellent for many papers - however as they dry slowly, they are best avoided when using shiny surfaces. They are ideal for embossing.

Embossing pads are specifically designed for use with embossing powders. They are designed to dry very slowly and are normally a very pale, transparent colour which cannot be seen after embossing. This ink is also available in pen form for embossed calligraphy effects.

Thanks

Thanks

Can I hijack slightly and ask how you do triple embossing? Is it just a case of embossing 3 times?

hiya!! yep, you powder and emboss three times, on the third time you place the stamp into the heated powder before it cools down, you can stamp it with a clear ink so it pulls off easilly leave for a bit then take stamp off.

gives a nice look, you can make embellishments that look like metal.