Dry Embossing Techniques

Dry Embossing Techniques

All dry embossing techniques are stunning, both visual and tactual. They can take an ordinary card or paper and turn it into something remarkable. People love to touch embossed edges, and the elegance of the look makes it appear as if you've spent hours on a card. The thing is, you don't have to spend hours- in fact, it takes almost no time at all.

Various dry embossing techniques require a few key supplies. The first, and possibly the cheapest, of the dry embossing tools, is called a stylus. A stylus is held like a pencil, has a wooden barrel, and the two ends are two round nubs, one just bigger than the other. You can also get a dry embossing tool called "The Empressor". This stylus has a soft cushion to help alleviate some of the pressure points you may encounter when dry embossing large quanities of items- for example, if you plan to emboss all your wedding invitations. The dual ends feature roller-ball tips, so the ends move more easily when being used. I own both, and use both. I don't find either one of them better than the other, and both dry embossing tools do the job. If cost is a factor, go with the basic one. It can be found for around $4.

The second key supply you will need is an embossing light table. I purchased a "light table" years ago made for kids and meant to be used to trace images. It had a tiny flashlight bulb and didn't work that great for dry embossing, but I've since upgraded a few times and am currently more than satisfied with my embossing light table from Stampin' Up! (r). I prefer this one over others used for a number of reasons- it's portable, it lights up extremely brightly, and I've never had to replace any part on it. The surface is quite large and flat and completely lights up when turned on. It also features a stand if you prefer to dry emboss at an angle. You can also master the dry embossing technique using your window. This generally is free, so if cost is a factor, this is one great way to reduce your spending. The only downside I have had with using a "window light box" is that I quickly tired of keeping my wrist at a certain angle to master this technique. Other people have used glass topped tables, with a lamp placed underneath, to provide the surface. Whatever you choose to use for your embossing light table, when learning the different dry embossing techniques, one thing is certain- you can always try something else later on.

The third key supply item you will need when dry embossing is a stencil of some sort. This is where some of the variations of dry embossing techniques come into play. Here are some of them, to name a few. Dry embossing stencils are generally made of brass, and marketed for just that purpose.

You can also use plastic stencils, those that combine shapes with different types of edges. These often come in 8.5x11 heavy plastic "sheets" that fit into a binder.

You can make your own stencils using punches. For eg., using a heavy-weight cardstock, punch a circle, and then a scallop circle around it, to create a frame, as I've done here:

Now that I've discussed some of the supplies you'll need, let's get down to the different dry embossing techniques you can learn. Basic dry embossing involves nothing more than putting stylus to paper or cardstock and tracing around a stencil. First, pick your dry embossing stencil. Use a small piece of double sided tape to hold it to the light table, if desired. Then, turn on the table. Next, take your piece of light coloured cardstock, line it up to where you want it to go on the stencil, and begin to trace. A tip to make dry embossing a little smoother is to rub waxed paper over your cardstock surface. This will help to keep the stylus from getting "stuck". Press firmly, but not too hard- you don't want the paper to rip. Trace the outline of the stencil, reposition the paper if needed, and continue until you are finished. Add a few additional embellishments until you're happy, then step back to admire your creation. The resulting look is elegant- a perfect card for a bride and groom.

A second dry embossing technique is similar to the first, but it goes a step further. Rather than dry embossing a border around your card, try to emboss an element of your card. I chose to stamp first my focal point on the card, and then use dry embossing to really make that focal point "pop". I've used a scallop circle this time, made from cardstock, and I'm happy with the result:

A third dry embossing technique is to use the dry embossing as the focal point in a stamped card. I've embossed the main greeting on the card- the word "Love"- and used dry embossed flowers, cut out and mounted on cardstock, as accents.

A fourth dry embossing technique is to work with vellum. Vellum is a thin, almost parchment-like paper that is very delicate. I have cardstock vellum, and while it's heavier than regular, it's also very brittle and doesn't tear easily. When dry embossing vellum, the part of the vellum that comes into contact with your stylus will turn white. This lends an interesting look to your project. On my example, I've embossed the chipboard frame onto vellum, then stamped a greeting inside of it. The white frame pops out of the card and becomes the real focal point.

I hope some of these ideas have jump started you in learning more about various dry embossing techniques. Invest a little time into learning this technique and you will love the rewards!

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