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Would you like to learn how to emboss paper? I did, it’s not that hard.

I love paper and paper products.

I love to design, craft, save, collage, draw on and collect all sorts of papers.

Imagine my delight at being able to learn how to emboss paper.

This was a very quick and very fun experiment at Art in Action. Lin Kerr, of Limetrees Studio was on hand with her “light” press to teach embossing.

And I made this lovely card with the letter C for Chloe.

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Here are the steps:

You need a template, the mirror image of the thing you would like to have embossed on your paper. Lin made some fantastic letters to chose form. This template is made from layers of heavy cardstock. Here is the link to how Lin made these templates. Just requires a bit of patience, imagination and a sharp scalpel.

A card of 100% cotton is used to emboss the letter on.

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The press is a “light” press, but don’t be fooled because it still weighs 100kg!

There are three sheets of felt between the base and the roller.

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The press is rolled back, the felt lifted, and the template is laid on a grid to make sure it is straight.

Then the card is sprayed down with water in a fine mist. Not too wet, just dampened and laid damp side down on top of the template. It is very important to get the card and the template aligned just right because, once the press is rolled, there’s no going back.

Then the three sheets of felt are layered on top of the template and card sandwich.

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The press is rolled across the bundle.

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Really, that’s all it takes to make this kind of magic.

Now I know that probably no one is going to run out and buy a press for hundreds of dollars to make these beautiful cards, but I’ve come across a YouTube tutorial for doing this with a rolling pin!!! Hey!!! Affordable. πŸ™‚ I’m not sure how well this works though, but as soon as I make a template I’ll give it a try and report. πŸ™‚

(but I really want a press like this!)

Comments: 10

  • July 25, 2013
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    Paper is SO much fun! Love this πŸ™‚

  • July 25, 2013
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    You are on fire! Beautiful C for C.

  • July 25, 2013
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    That’s really neat. I’ve tried using those tiny embosser stamps from the crafts store, but it doesn’t turn out too well. Also, I didn’t know you had to dampen the paper first. Great work, Veronica!

  • Lavender Cottage

    July 26, 2013
    reply

    I use embossing folders run through a machine to make my cards and they can make some nice raised features as well. This method is quite unique.
    Judith

  • July 26, 2013
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    Wow!! Now will you look at that!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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