1. Prepare Work Area: Choose a hard firm area to achieve quality performance from your stamp. Have all your supplies ready.
· Embossing Ink(s)
· Embossing Powder(s)
· Stamp(s)
· Paper for reclaiming un-used powder (8 ½ x 11 folded lengthwise)
· Item(s) that you are stamping. (Card stock, wood, leather, fabric, and plastic can be embossed.)
·
Heat Gun or Other
Suitable Heat Source – If the project is on paper, an alternative heating source
may be used such as:
- Electric
Iron - Place iron upside down in a bread pan to
allow the hot surface facing up. Use
the cotton temperature setting.
- DO NOT USE A HAIR DRYER! IT WILL BLOW THE POWDER AWAY INSTEAD OF MELTING
IT!
(Hair dryers do not provide the proper heat temperatures.)
· Wet Paper Towel or Baby Wipes – To clean stamp when changing colors or when finished.
2. Inking the Stamp: On small stamps that “fit” the inkpad use the “Patting Method” to apply the ink. Move the stamp around the pad to insure even coverage, but don’t over ink. (Detailed stamp images look best with less ink.)
3. Stamping the Image: Place your artwork on the folded 8 ½ x 11 paper (to reclaim un-used powder). Position the stamp above the area you want to stamp and press the stamp down with a firm pressure making sure not to “rock” the stamp. For best results, practice on scratch paper and get to know how the inkpad and stamp perform.
4. Applying Embossing Powder: Sprinkle the powder over the wet ink image, making sure you have ample coverage. Lift up the artwork and shake off excessive powder on to the folded paper. Return unused powder by using the folded paper as a “chute” back to its container for reuse. Remember, a small container can last a long time!
5. Melting the Powder: When using a heat gun, direct the airflow approximately 1 – 1 ½ inches from the surface. When the powder begins to melt, move the heat gun in a steady motion to melt all the powder that was applied.
6.
Finishing
Touches: After the image has cooled, the artwork can be enhanced with
colors from brush markers, colored pencils, pastel chalks, and various paints.