Creative Papercrafts : Products : Brass Embossing : Tips

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| Tips | Light Embossing Techniques | Paste Embossing Techniques |

Before you start you absolutely need removable tape. Regular tapes may remove the fibers from the paper when you remove the tape.
A light source behind your paper is really the only way to work for any amount of embossing. However, if you find it is not as effective as you would like - a few tips (of course) Firstly, make sure you place your template (taped to your cardstock) face down on the light box but directly over the actual light bulb area.Turn the lights down in your room as bright lights around you diminish the effectiveness of the light box. Another helpful tip, place a sheet of white paper under your light box, this will reflect the light whereas a dark table or dark base will diminish the effectiveness of your light source. It is also not possible to use a light source and emboss outside on a nice sunny day - nice thought, but the light around you is too bright.
No light source? Place your work up to the window (during daylight hours...) Especially useful if you have several children to work with and no light sources.
We stress again, rub the surface of the paper you are going to emboss with waxed paper before you start.
All white core papers will emboss with a light source. All non-white core (and that includes pale colors too) will not. In other words, if the color is only on the top surface of the paper and it has a white "core", you will be able to emboss it with your light source. However, the color is only "surface deep". That means you must take extra care when embossing or the surface will break down and you will see white edges. To overcome this, use only light pressure when embossing and start with your largest tool. To emboss, you have to stretch the paper and it will respond better if you start by stretching it gently then use your finer tools if the image needs a better definition. White core also comes with color on both sides, it works just the same as white backed paper. The white core is the key element.
Enhancing your white core paper projects.

Embossing on the colored white-core papers is often difficult to discern. Try sanding the embossed areas of the design or in the case of a large raised area, sand along the edges. Use an emery board and lay it flat across the paper to sand so you only remove the color from the embossed surfaces, not the rest of the paper! This technique will result in the white core being exposed and will draw attention to the embossing which may not otherwise stand out at all. It looks much like the technique of accenting painted furniture edges by sanding to expose the underlying color.
There are, among the new templates, designs that require embossing from the front. This would apply to those whose outline is the actual shape of the image. For example, a teddy bear would be better embossed to be raised forward on each level of the design. To achieve this you will need to emboss the outline only in the usual manner taping to the front of the card and embossing from the back. Then remove the template and tape to the back of the card, lining up the image to the embossed outline. Wax paper the front of the cardstock and emboss the remaining detailing from the front of the card. It may sound confusing - but it works.
Opaque Paste. Tape template to card face. Make sure tape covers template all around. With a spatula, scoop up some paste on the underside of the spatula, dab across the template then with clean spatula, smooth from one side to the other removing excess paste and put it back in the jar. Remove the tape on 3 sides leaving 1 strip of tape like a hinge, lift up the template on end and remove the tape. If you wish to add sparkle, sprinkle it on now while the paste is wet. Leave to dry. You can color with chalks when dry.
Translucent Paste. Tape template to card face. Make sure tape covers template all around. If you wish to add color to your project, this is the time to do it. Chalks are always a good choice. For the lightest effect, use a finger dauber, for deeper color, use a stencil brush. Remove any color from your templates by carefully wiping across with a soft cloth. Any color left on the templates will be dragged across when you remove the excess paste, then you cannot put it back in the jar. To apply the paste, with a spatula, scoop up some paste on the underside of the spatula, dab across the template then with clean spatula, smooth from one side to the other removing excess paste and put it back in the jar. Remove the tape on 3 sides leaving 1 strip of tape like a hinge, lift up the template on end and remove the tape. If you wish to add sparkle, sprinkle it on now while the paste is wet. Leave to dry. The translucent paste takes longer to dry, even up to 45 minutes. You will notice it starting the clarify and lose its milky look.