Heat Embossing with your Computer

Every once in a while I run across a new idea for using my computer to scrapbook. When talking with some friends recently, I was enlightened to a new technique that I hadn’t tried yet.* Heat embossing. No, not from the heat your laptop generates, although that’s a thought. Rather, the ink from your printer can be used as a base for heat embossing. Sounds like a stretch, but it really works!

When you print on the right kind of paper, the ink from your ink-jet printer stays wet long enough for embossing powder to stick to it. Once the powder has been heated, the result is a raised design that nearly looks hand-cut. It’s a great way to create that intricate look without the time, effort and frustration of cutting each letter with a craft knife or scissors.

What’s the right kind of paper to use? Anything with a slick surface that doesn’t soak up ink immediately will work. Vellum, patterned paper with a glossy finish, glossy photo paper, or transparency film all work well for this technique.

Here are some tips that will help the process go smoothly:

1. Your printer options will have “Draft”, “Normal” and “Best” printing quality options. Print using the “Best” quality. This lets your printer deposit more ink onto the paper. The more ink there is, the longer it will stay wet, allowing you to sprinkle the embossing powder over it before it dries.
2. Have your embossing powder ready and nearby so that you can immediately sprinkle the powder over the wet ink.
3. Let the embossing powder sit on the ink for a few seconds before shaking off the excess powder.
4. Use a small paint brush to wipe away any excess bits of embossing powder around your text or image.
5. Heat the embossing powder with a heat gun until it is set on the paper.
6. Viola! You’re done.

If you like the thought of heat embossing a computer font, but want to print on regular cardstock or patterned paper, try the tracing method. It gives you the embossed look of a computer font printed on regular paper. The end result is similar to a rubber stamped title or design…without the cost of the stamps. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Print your title or image on a piece of scratch paper.
2. Using a light box, trace the title or design onto a piece of light-colored cardstock or patterned paper with a pencil.
3. Use an embossing pen, such as the Zig Emboss Writer or a Versamark Embossing pen to trace the text. (You can skip the pencil step if you want to use the embossing pen to trace directly on the light box).
4. While the embossing ink is wet, sprinkle embossing powder over the design.
5. Shake off the excess powder.
6. Use a heat gun to emboss the powder.
7. The result—an embossed creation in any font or design!

These embossing techniques open up all kinds of options when creating intricate titles or designs for a scrapbook page. They allow you to add texture, color and interest to text or printed designs quickly and easily. It’s amazing how handy a computer and printer can be.

*Special thanks to Tammy Jackson and Amy Stultz for their heat embossing tips.

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Article originally printed in the Scrapbook Trends Magazine September 2004 issue.

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