Embossing

[wynnepam]

I went to Michaels yesterday and bought "The Empressor" which is an embossing tool. I am not too "e"mpressed so far. I tried tracing an image and it didnt seem to want to put a dent on the other side of my card stock. I have never done this before, so do I need to have something under my cardstock while trying to do this? Is there a better tool that I should use? What do you all use? Thanks for your help.

[gj1]

You will want to put some plumbers rubber from hardware store underneath the paper(sold in 6x6inch squares), or use a piece of the foam for cutting shapes that they sell for kid's crafts....something for the paper to "give" for the impression to take. Also, when hand embossing, I found to lightly dampen the paper helped...it dries quickly and will smooth down when glued to additional piece of paper.

The best home embossing tools are the rolling type machines and folders that are sold for use with them. More of an investment though.

[TOASTER]

I never heard to lightly dampen the paper when embossing. What a great idea. I wish I had known this a couple of days ago when I embossed my Christmas cards.

[wynnepam]

I was thinking that there must be something that goes underneath it. I would've never thought of dampening it though. Thanks for your help.

[Sweetness4713]

I spray it lightly with a spray bottle. just to give it some mist.. It's a lot easier when it comes to some types of paper that just don't want to emboss.. You can also try layer funfoam under it.. Just don't press too hard with the pen..

[kelsie94]

An old mouse pad underneath works well too!

[Johane]

I've embossed by lightly spraying the paper with water. But, now I use rubbing alcohol because it dries faster. Works great!! Be sure to mark your sprayer with poison signs when you fill it with alcohol.

[Deloris]

I went to Michaels yesterday and bought "The Empressor" which is an embossing tool. I am not too "e"mpressed so far. I tried tracing an image and it didnt seem to want to put a dent on the other side of my card stock. I have never done this before, so do I need to have something under my cardstock while trying to do this? Is there a better tool that I should use? What do you all use? Thanks for your help.

Some hints I found through trial and error that might help.

What's the weight of the cardstock you are using? Sometimes it works best if you use a lighter weigh of 65lbs. The heavier the cardstock the harder it is to emboss on. A word of caution though, use a lighter pressure with the 65lb when you run the tool over it or you could poke through it.

Also, try running a piece of waxed paper over the cardstock before you emboss. It allows the embossing tool to work easier.