(click on the pics to enbiggan)
Embossing folders are one of the most versatile tools a paper crafter can have; long, long ago, in a galaxy far away (just kidding!), the only way we could deboss or emboss (create recessed or raised images, shapes & patterns on paper) was to use a light table, brass stencils, and a ball tipped stylus tool. It was done manually. *insert shocked eyeballs here* Depending on the intricacy, it could take quite a bit of time to do, despite loving how it looked...
Then, along came the personal die cutting machine. I fell for the Big Shot, and most recently, the Big Shot Plus. The Plus takes up a little bigger footprint on my cutting table, but I'm super pleased at the wider, 9" feed and it works just as beautifully as the smaller version--possibly even better, with wider distribution of pressure across the rollers. I love that I can send a whole 8.5 x 11" sheet of card stock right through it, without having to cut it down, or worry about which direction I'm sending my project through in order to fit it.
After taking the machine for a test drive with my dies, I pulled out some embossing folders to play around with--on this machine the "tabs", now called "Adapters", are not attached by hinges to the platform and I wanted to experiment a bit to see what worked best with the various folders I have.
All of these techniques have been around for quite a while so they may not be new to you, unless you haven't yet explored embossing folders or haven't worked with a die-cutting machine like the Big Shot.
For the We R Memory Keepers Next Level Gemstone folder (Next Level embossing folders have deeper/more dimensional patterns than most standard embossing folders) I found the following sandwich worked the best:
- Platform, no adapter shims
- Cutting Pad
- Embossing folder with paper inside
- Cutting Pad
Trimming away a portion, following the pattern lines, makes a cool "iceberg" effect for the North Pole (sample features a coming Essentials By Ellen Stamp set).
My little fishies needed an ocean to swim around in, so I rubbed a Distress Ink Pad against one side of the WRMK Next Level Waves folder, sandwiched a piece of watercolor paper inside and ran it through the machine; I ran a wet brush over the ink to create variations of color intensity and to give it an even more "watery" look.
Depending on the design/pattern of an embossing folder, you could even just ink it up and press paper against it to "stamp" the pattern, without embossing at all, but it does look muy cool this way! Again, I used the same sandwich as previously listed due to the deeper impression patterns.
Wax resist with an embossing folder is yet another technique for transferring the pattern to paper, creating visual texture. In a nutshell:
- Emboss a piece of ordinary household wax paper (cut slightly larger than the embossing folder) with a folder; keep in mind that different patterns will yield different effects. This Linear folder features two smaller/more tightly patterned designs that work well for the technique--folders with wide open spaces in the pattern may not work as well; experiment to see what you like!
- Layer the embossed wax paper over a panel of Bristol (a heavier paper stock like this tends to work best) and then sandwich these between clean copy paper.
- Use a hot iron, no steam, to press and transfer the wax paper pattern to the paper, taking care not to shift the Bristol. About 7-8 seconds should do the job nicely.
- Blend ink over the top and watch the pattern begin to magically appear.
- You can transfer the waxy pattern to two pieces simultaneously, if you sandwich the embossed wax paper in between two pieces of Bristol before tucking everything inside the folded copy paper.
NOTE: This was a standard embossing folder; the following sandwich usually works well with standard embossing folders:
- Platform
- Adapter Plate B
- Cutting Pad
- Embossing folder with paper inside
- Cutting Pad
You can blend ink over just a portion of the pattern to create a back-drop of pattern for your focal image.
Combine a solid (non-aperature style) low-profile die like this Love Word Heart by Savvy Stamps with an embossing folder to create a double-embossed effect! Note: I like using the Essentials by Ellen Letterpress Paper for this particular technique--the end result reminds me of luxurious Letterpress stationery, and the paper really enhances the whole effect.
How-to:
- Align the back (non-blade) side of the die to one side of the embossing folder, leaving the folder open. You may find that you prefer the raised side, or the recessed side, depending on the results. Again, experimenting will guide you! A glue dot can help to hold the die in place and prevent it from shifting as it goes through the machine; it can be removed afterwards.
- Position the paper over the die/folder. Keep the folder open.
- I find it helps to use removable tape to also hold the paper in place.
On the Big Shot Plus, I found I preferred the results I achieved with this sandwich:
- Platform WITH both Adapters
- Silicone Rubber Embossing Pad (we're using this in lieu of a cutting pad because we don't want to actually cut through the paper at all, just deboss the patterns into it)
- Open embossing folder with the die and paper in place, blades down against the Silicone Rubber Pad
- Cutting Pad (Yes, just one, on top)
I recommend watching the video especially for this double-embossing technique--it's just a lot easier to understand when you see it being done. :)
By all means, use the aforementioned sandwich "recipes" as a starting point; keep in mind that every machine is calibrated slightly differently, and certain embossing folder patterns work better than others for some techniques; I was experimenting with what I had on hand and made notes for my specific products so I can refer to them easily the next time I want to repeat the technique.
If you need additional shimming when embossing, a layer of copy paper or folded copy paper can add just the right amount of extra pressure to achieve the desired results.
Below is the video showing these embossing folder techniques (also available in HD on our channel) in more detail. and thanks so much for taking a moment to give it a thumbs up on YouTube!
There are even more ways to use embossing folders, but I hope these ideas will inspire those of you who are new to them! I must admit, not having to wear my arm out by doing it the "old-fashioned" way is really, REALLY nice! :)
Designer Note: The North Pole card features a stamp set coming soon to the Essentials by Ellen line--keep your eyes peeled for it! :)
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