DRY DEBOSSING

(Free Hand Method)

Image from eInvite.com

Debossing is the reverse side of embossing. The image is depressed into the paper or card stock . . . where the image is lifted up from the paper’s surface in embossing.

Tools and Supplies you’ll need:

• Light table (a bright window is a good substitute)
• Templates (Brass is the preferred type, but plastic will work –just not as durable)
• Stylus Tool
• Card Stock (regular paper is too light to hold an impression and tears easily in the debossing process.)
• Note: Handmade paper works extremely well. Also our article on “Embossing handmade paper” may be helpful.
• A lubricant on your card stock to allow the stylus to move easily. Rubbing your card stock with wax paper works well.

The Process

Follow these easy steps to complete your debossing project:

1. Lubricate your card stock as noted above. You only need to do this in the area you are debossing.

2. Lay your template on you light table (turned on) or tape it to a bright window.

3. Place your card stock face up over your template where you want your image depressed.

4. Using your stylus trace the outline of the areas of your template you want depressed.

5. Fill in the remainder of your template image with your stylus to the extent you want the area or image debossed.

6. Add additional debossed images as desired using the process steps above.

Your debossed image(s) will add creativity, elegance, diversity and variety to your cards and scrapbook pages.

We’d like to see some of your handy work. Send us a email with your examples you’d like to share.

SCRAPBOOK EMBOSSING

USING MECHANICAL IMPRESSION TOOLS

Mechanical/Machine Embossing

With the mechanical or machine embossing method, you rely on the benefits and functions of a machine or tool to create your embossed impressions. This is similar to the hand held embosser only the machine will provide you with one or several embossed impressions on a page.

The use of these machines greatly expands your embossing capabilities. These machines, made for crafters, are easy to operate. The manufacturer’s have, for the most part, provided a great selection of inserts, dies or templates . . . with just about anything you’d want in the way of embossed impressions. Where they don’t have a die or template to meet your needs, there is still the Hand Tooled Reliefing you can do.

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SCRAPBOOK EMBOSSING

USING MECHANICAL HAND IMPRESSION TOOLS

When the term “embossing” is used, most people think of using a press of some sort to lift an image on a chosen medium (paper, cloth and metal). This is true, but not the only method for scrapbookers–see “Wet Heat Embossing.“

For this article we will focus our attention on the mechanical method of embossing–using tools to add the relief and rise to our images. For simplistic sake, what you envision in your mind when we talk about embossing, is the raised seal you see notary public’s affix to their signature using a hand crimping tool. This is the process–simple, huh?

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CHALKING TECHNIQUE and TIPS

Chalk Art

In the article “Chalk It Up!” we learn the basics of what chalking is and what to acquire in the way of supplies. You want to pay particular attention to the “Beginner’s Primer” in that article. Starting out right will be most helpful.

A couple of reminders about chalk as you begin to embellish your pages:

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CHALK IT UP!!!

When someone says “chalk” you probably think of the photo above or tracing a “hopscotch” on the pavement. Well there is another use for chalk–in scrapbooking.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to dress up or embellish some of your scrapbook die cuts or pages? Chalking may just be the answer. Not only is the process a great way to add a touch of color, the process is easy. Chalking can add depth, highlight or shade an item, and let you create your own elegant background papers.

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The Basics of Rubber Stamping

Rubber Stamp Collage

This is a simple treaties on Rubber Stamping. It should give you enough information to help you in your scrapbooking efforts, and in doing some embossing. Please accept that this is not an all inclusive treatise on the subject. You will be well served to study the subject further–especially if you are going to do more stamping in the future.

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SCRAPBOOK EMBOSSING

(Sometimes referred to as “relief” embossing)

Album Photo from HotRef.com

One of the Embellishment Effects You’ll Want to Use.

Scrapbooking is all about organization and tools. When you have the proper tools for the job, and your space is well organized, your project gets done right and quickly.

Embossing is one of those processes that adds a special appearance to a scrapbook page or card. There is a certain elegance produced by embossing.

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