Dry Embossed Cards

What is Embossing?

Embossing in the craft world comes in two forms, heat embossing and dry embossing, both giving a raised surface to your handmade cards.

'Heat' embossing is used in rubber stamping. A heat gun is used to melt embossing powders sprinkled onto stamped images.

'Dry embossing' is where you use an embossing tool to push designs into cardstock, foil and vellum using stencils, or templates. This site will focus on dry embossed cards, as it is one of my 'things' :)

Brass Embossing Stencils

Brass embossing stencils have long been used to make beautiful, delicately embossed cards.

There are hundreds of gorgeous, often intricate, designs available. But, the major drawback is that you have to be plugged to the mains because you need the lightbox to show you where to 'stencil' through your card, although you can try using natural light from a window.

Dry Embossed Cards Made EASY...

The Fiskars Shapeboss* Embossing System took the papercraft world by storm.

Dry embossing was suddenly HOT. Why was it so special? Because you don't need a lightbox! You simply put your card, paper, foil, vellum etc between the two templates, held securely onto the board by pegs, and off you go. These sold like hot cakes because the minute customers saw what it did, so easily, they had to have one!

*[you might find it listed or referred to, wrongly, as the Shape Boss or Shape Box - click here to search for misspelled items on eBay for an even better deal!]

There are a good range of Shapeboss templates to choose from; though not all of them are available in the UK at the same time as the USA and getting supplies was often a nightmare because they would simply run out of stock and we had to wait for more to be 'made'! The Shapeboss templates come with holes down the side so you can put them into a binder, which is great, but even better...the 12x12 Scrapboss embossing system!
This is a monster! But, comes with storage which is an excellent idea. Personally, although it is huge, I prefer the Scrapboss because of the storage and lots of the 12x12 templates have 'frames', so scrapbookers can emboss around photos, BUT these are perfect for borders on your handmade cards (without the hassle of measuring and fitting).
Yes, the Scrapboss is big, and yes it's more expensive all in all, but I think it's worth it, and you get an extra large 'work surface' too if you like crafting in front of the TV ;)

An added bonus of the Fiskars Embossing System of templates is that they can be used as normal 'stencils' - so you can then enhance your dry embossed cards with chalk, watercolours etc with a nice neat effect.

Embossing Folders

Dry embossing was the 'in thing' so the Sizzix 'converter' came onto the scene. It allows you to use the Sizzix Die Cutting Machine for embossing, as well as some smaller Sizzix products. You attach the Sizzix converter and use 'embossing folders' from their Simple Impressions range.

...And now of course we have the gorgeous Cuttlebug! An embossing card makers dream :-)

Further Information for You