How To: Basic Heat Embossing Chipboard

Howdy folks! Since I shared how to heat emboss a stamped image last week I thought I would share another heat embossing how to this week!
Have you ever wanted glossy black title letters but didn't have any on hand? Or have you ever wanted pretty white chipboard letters but didn't want to run to the scrapbook store? Or have you ever wanted red glossy letters but you only have black? (Just yell YES!) Well I'm glad you want to know because I'm going to share with you how to use heat embossing to personalize your chipboard!


This layout was published in the June 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes. It was actually in the Tips and Tricks column about covering chipboard. I did cover the chipboard flowers with patterned paper, but I also heat embossed the title letters in white. That's what I'll be showing you how to do today!


Supply List:

- Chipboard

- Embossing Powder
(I used THIS white embossing powder for this How To. You can use any powder you want to! I will be going over different powders in future posts!)

- Versamark or Embossing Ink
(I have tried many embossing inks and I like Versamark the best. It's tackier and dries slower but any embossing ink will work)

- Heat Tool
(any heat tool will work. I use THIS one from Hobby Lobby. Hair dryers will not usually work because they do not get hot enough and they blow air to hard.)

- Funnel Tray or Paper Plate
(this is what you will use to catch the embossing powder when you slide the excess off of your cardstock and pour it back into the container. You don't have to have either you can just use scrap paper.)

- Paper Piercer
(This is not a necessity unless you want burnt fingertips. LOL)



(To enlarge above photo just click on it)

Step 1
Take your chipboard and smush it into the embossing inkpad. You need to make sure the surface of the chipboard is thickly covered with the ink.

Step 2
Use your paper piercer and poke it into the side of the chipboard. This will keep you from burning your fingertips when you heat the chipboard and will also keep your surface smooth. (If you try to hold it or use tweezers your embossed surface will not be smooth)
While holding your chipboard over your funnel tray, pour your powder onto your chipboard.

Step 3
Dump off the excess powder. DO NOT TAP the chipboard.

Step 4
Begin heating the powder with your heat gun far away. Slowly bring the heat gun closer. (this will make sure you don't blow off all of the powder before it begins to melt)
Heat the powder until it begins to change. Do not overheat or you will burn the powder and it will be dull.
If you do happen to burn the powder, simply repeat the above steps to add a new layer over the burned layer.

Step 5
Allow the chipboard to cool! That's it!

You can stamp on top of the embossed layer with Stazon or another solvent ink. (I made a video about solvent inks HERE)
You can even add more than one color of powder! I made a video showing how to do that HERE!
The possibilities are endless!
If you have any questions please feel free to ask! Shoot me an email at massadmomma@yahoo.com!
Well have fun embossing some chipboard and have an awesome Wednesday!
LUV APRIL :)