Stamp Embossing

Give stamped images depth, texture and shine with this thermographic method of embossing.  Gold and silver are just the beginning!

What Is Thermographic, or Rubber Stamp Embossing?
Embossing is a simple process that changes a flat stamped image into one that is three dimensional, also adding sheen, glitter, or iridescence to the image.

What is Needed To Emboss An Image?
You will need a stamp, embossing, or "pigment" ink, embossing powder, a heat source and, of course, something to stamp on.

The Best Stamps To Use
The size of your stamp is immaterial, and it doesn't matter if the stamp is made out of hard rubber, soft rubber or a potato. The most important consideration is the complexity of the image. Stamps used for embossing should be fairly simple. Ones containing a large amount of detail (such as shadows or crosshatching) will not render effectively because the embossing powder expands when heated and close-set lines can melt into each other.

Embossing / Pigment Ink
Embossing ink can be clear or a variety of colors. It can be purchased in a stamp pad, marking pen or in a sponge applicator bottle. Best results are achieved by using this pigment ink as it stays wetter longer than water-based inks. Clear embossing pads are best for opaque or metallic powders, but colored ink is required when using clear or translucent powders. Embossing ink markers are used for drawing lines, calligraphy, or for writing messages.  Applicator bottles are best used to re-ink a stamp or used with brushes for interesting effects.

Embossing Powder
Embossing powder also comes in clear and a variety of colors as well as glitter, satin, iridescent and variable (which changes color when applied over different colored inks). It is purchased in small jars.

Heat Sources                                                                                                                                                                                    
The best heat source for embossing is a craft-type heat gun. They are inexpensive and can be purchased in craft and rubber stamp stores. They regulate the heat perfectly for embossing as they emit low air flow, but an intense, narrow stream of heat so they are less likely to scorch paper. If you do not want to purchase a heat gun, you can use any hot flat surface like the top of a toaster oven, a hot plate or an iron but be careful as these can burn paper if not watched carefully. You cannot use a hair dryer - it's not hot enough and your powder would be blown all over the place!

Something To Stamp On
Paper is, obviously, the most popular surface for embossing. A medium to heavy weight card stock is best. Lightweight paper (such as xerox paper) can tend to warp, but depending on how you handle the heat source, most papers work well. The paper can be glossy, plain or vellum (heavy tracing paper).

How To Emboss
Embossing is amazingly easy to do. Ink your stamp using the embossing ink or pigment ink of your choice. Stamp your impression and then immediately sprinkle the entire image with embossing powder. Using ink and powder in the same color tends to intensify the color. When you use a colored powder over clear ink, the color of the final image is the color of the powder. If you emboss one color ink with a different color powder your final image color will be a combination of both (the results are subtle so don't be afraid that you will get muddy colors). Tap off the excess powder (it can be reused, so just put it back into the bottle) and remove any stray powder with a small, soft paint brush. Then apply the heat source. A heating gun should moved slowly over the top of the paper. Watch the image, as soon as the powder puffs up, it's done. Be careful not to over-emboss or the image will flatten out and blur around the edges. If you are using an alternative heat source, you will have to place it under the paper. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can emboss in two colors. To do this, apply the first powder color to a selected area and emboss it. Then apply the second color and emboss it. This can be tricky because the first color tends to over emboss but if you're careful and move quickly, you'll be impressed with the results.