ThePowerOfACard

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

10+ Ways To Do Heat Embossing

Like many people, my gateway technique into making handmade stamped cards was heat embossing. Once I saw the magic happen, I fell in love and was forever hooked! So today, I want to show you more ways you can do heat embossing. My guess is that at least a few of them are new to you.

Unlike my normal videos, I will not be constructing a card. Instead, I'll be demonstrating each of the ways to heat emboss, and then show you a card made with that method. My apologies for a longer than normal video. I considered breaking this into two videos, but in the end, decided to keep it as one with a listing of each method with a time. This way, you can use this video as a reference and easily find the heat embossing technique you need.

There are a few basic tools I recommend when doing heat embossing. The Embossing Additions Tool Kit has a tray where you can collect powder and funnel it back into the container, a brush for wiping off excess powder, a marvelous reverse tweezer and the embossing buddy, which helps remove static and contaminants that might attract powder where you don't want it. You should always use the embossing buddy before embossing, but you'll see me miss it a bunch of times in the video! My bad. (In my descriptions below, I'm not going to mention using the Embossing Buddy each time - it is implied.) You will also need a Heat Tool (a regular blow dryer won't work) and of course, embossing powders. Stampin' Up! has two sets of powders - the Basics and Metallics. Lastly, you'll need a stamp pad like Versamark designed for heat embossing because it is sticky and takes a long time to dry.

1. Embossing the Debossed Side 2:59

With your embossing folder (3D folders work better than regular folders) open, add Versamark to the side that has raised images. If you want a light amount of embossing, just rub the ink pad gently over the highest parts. If you want a heavier amount, really press down into the design. Place your paper on the other side and close. Emboss as normal, then remove from the folder and coat with gold embossing powder. During the video, I really coated the folder with ink, but my sample shows a lighter touch.

2. Coat the Edges for Layering 7:18

When you want to have something matted in gold, silver, etc. but you don't have the paper, you can just coat the edges with Versamark and powder, heat and voila! You have a piece to use as a mat! Even if you had gold paper, you may want an exact match like I have with the Sunflowers I created above.

3. Direct to Paper for a Label 10:57

To finish the components of my first sample, I embossed a strip with my sentiment and flagged the edge, leaving a little longer section than I normally would. Then I took my ink pad and placed it on the end of the label, keeping the edge of the stamp pad perpendicular to the sentiment strip. Add powder and heat to add a gold finish to the sentiment strip.

For this card, I used the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, the Reason To Celebrate stamp set, Gold Embossing Powder, and cardstock in Basic White and Night of Navy.

4. Adhesive and Embossing Powder 13:11

So far, we've only been using Versamark to hold the embossing powder. However, you can also use other things that are sticky, such as Tear & Tape, Adhesive Sheets and Multipurpose Glue. For this example, I placed three strips of Tear & Tape diagonally across a panel of white. Make sure you press them down to get the best adherence of the powder (I like using a bone folder for this). I recommend using a Silicone Mat because the tape hangs over the edges. After trimming, add the powder and heat as normal. I just love the geometry of using the tape!

I used Reason to Celebrate stamp set, Beautiful Ordinary Life DSP, Floral Flight Accents, Stylish Shapes dies, Black embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White, Basic Black and Daffodil Delight.

I also like using my liquid glue to add designs. I love my little glue bottle with a fine tip end because it's easier to get small amounts of glue and control the flow. (By the way - this is a free gift when you purchase my Adhesive kit.) After making your glue patterns, cover it in powder and let dry before heating it. My first sample (swirls) was done on Secret Sea and the second one (diagonal lines) was on Cherry Cobbler. I've also done this technique with Christmas trees - little dots of glue turn into perfect little ornaments.

5. Background Stamp and Clear 19:52

Large background stamps look great as they add a tone on tone look to your card. Embossing this pattern in clear kicks it up a notch! I love the shine you get with clear embossing, yet the background is still on the subtle side. As you saw in the video, you may get more dramatic looks with one color over another.

I used Flowers Fair and Friendly Foliage stamp sets, Poppy Parade and Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends, Clear embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White and Poppy Parade.

6. Embossing in Any Color 24:11

As I mentioned, I have six different colors of embossing powders. But what if I want to have a colorful embossed image? You can do that if you have a stamp positioner. All you need to do is stamp the image in the ink color of your choice. For my sample, I stamped in Granny Apple Green. Clean off the stamp and stamp again in Versamark. Add clear powder and heat. The Stampin' Positioner is a new addition to our line and will be available in May.

I used Forever Florals bundle, Pretty in Pink and Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends, Pretty in Pink Bordered ribbon (retired), Clear embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White and Pretty in Pink.

7. 3D Embossing Folder and Brayer 27:03

When you have an embossed panel with deep impressions like you get from a 3D folder, you can coat the peaks of the design with Versamark and coat it with powder. If you have a design with lots of peaks and not much space between the peaks, you may be able to swipe your Versamark pad over them and be OK. I found that it is much better to use a brayer to coat them. You may still get some of the valleys, but you can use a fine paintbrush to remove unwanted powder. In the video, I show the Whisper White ink pad. This is another sticky ink pad that is slow to dry and works well with embossing powders too.

I used Forever Florals dies, Nature's Symphony stamp, Hearts of Love 3D embossing folder, Strawberry Slush Faux Linen ribbon, White embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White and Strawberry Slush.

8. Emboss Big Piece for Die Cutting 33:44

Small pieces are very difficult to emboss. Instead, cover a larger piece with Versamark and powder. After it's melted, cut out your small die cut pieces.

This card was one of the 15 cards I made during the 2026 Virtual Card Making Retreat earlier this year. In addition to the exclusive stamp set set for that retreat, we used Forever Florals dies, Petal Pink Two Tone cardstock, Basic White and an exclusive DSP for the event.

9. Emboss Resist 36.22

When you emboss with clear powder, it "traps" the color beneath the embossing. This allows you to add more color around the embossed part. In my sample, I embossed Happy Retirement on a panel of white. Then I added three shades of blue with a blending brush to make it ombre. The key to making the embossing pop is using a micro fiber cloth to wipe off any ink on top of the embossing. The white of the cardstock looks fabulous against the blues because the embossing resists being colored by the inks.

I used Happy Place and Sending Salutations stamp sets, Bordered in Beauty dies, a Blending Brush with Coastal Cabana, Azure Afternoon and Blueberry Bushel inks, clear embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Blueberry Bushel and Crumb Cake.

10. Mixed Metals 41:01

There is no rule that you must stick with a single color of embossing powdered. For my sample, I wanted to make the gear look a bit rusty. After coating the gear in Versamark, I added a little copper powder to a few places. Then I covered the rest in silver. To assist in the melting of the powders, I added a little "handle" with a mini glue dot. If you don't get enough "rust", you can always add more Versamark and repeat the process.

I used Gears & Textures dies, 2026 Virtual Card Making Retreat and Sending Salutations stamps, Silver and Copper embossing powders, and cardstock in Basic White and Cajun Craze.

11. Almost like Resin 44:37

This last one takes a little more time because it involves several layers of clear. In my video, I show a circle where I added a fussy cut bug from my pack of DSP. I had also added a little shading for the sky and grass. Before embossing, I stacked three circles of a smaller size behind to add stability, and added another "handle" to assist with the heating. When you add the first layer of embossing, you will notice that the surface is not smooth, but slightly pebbled. With each layer you add, the surface gets smoother and smoother. After multiple layers of clear, the piece looks like resin. My other samples show how the clear powder makes stamped images more intense in color and that you can do the same thing with DSP.

I used Sweet Bugs bundle, Cute as a Bug and Brights 6" x 6" DSP, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends, Old Olive Specialty Rick Rack, Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes, Clear embossing powder, and cardstock in Basic White, Pumpkin Pie and Crumb Cake.

That's a lot of fun ways you can heat emboss! I hope you've learned something new and that your passion for card making keeps getting stronger!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

Shop my Store!

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Find me on Facebook - The Power of a Card or

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

When you shop, you earn rewards! For any purchase above $20, you will earn 10% in rewards to spend on a future purchase. And you don’t have to use them all at once as you can save up rewards to get something big for free! If you don’t have an on-line account with me as your demonstrator, please go to my store and get one.

Product List

Embossing Additions Tool Kit

[159971]

$27.00

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165679]

$21.00

Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165678]

$21.00

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Gears & Textures Bundle (English)

[166854]

$45.00

Forever Florals Bundle (English)

[167444]

$49.50

Reason To Celebrate Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166905]

$20.00

Nature's Symphony Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166919]

$19.00

Flowers Fair Photopolymer Stamp Set

[167217]

$23.00

Happy Place Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165966]

$25.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder

[166145]

$12.00

Hearts Of Love 3 D Embossing Folder

[167071]

$11.00

Cute As A Bug 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[166994]

$12.50

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Fun With Vellum

When I was thinking of a title for this video, I thought of Big Bang Theory and Amy and Sheldon's Fun With Flags. While I probably won't make you laugh as much as they did, I do hope you will learn some fun ways to incorporate vellum into your card making repertoire. I will be showing you seven different ways to use vellum, plus a bunch of tips and techniques along the way.

I've been a fan of vellum for a long time and was disappointed when it was discontinued by Stampin' Up!. When it returned (👏🏻 and jump for joy!), it was now in a 12" x 12" size. I love how thick it is - sturdy enough for all of the ways I'm going to show you how to use it. I know my video is a bit longer than normal, but I do hope you'll watch all of it and learn some fun ways you can use vellum in your cards too.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Melon Mambo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4" and a scrap strip; Vellum Specialty Paper 3" x 5-3/4" (cut into 3" x 4-1/4" and 3" x 1-1/2"); Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 3" x 4-1/4" and a scrap strip, Granny Apple Green 2-15/16" x 4-3/16", Adhesive Sheet 3" x 4-1/4"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers and Paradise Garden
Inks: Memento Black, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green
Embossing Folder: Paradise Garden Hybrid
Watercolor Pencils: Assortment 1 and 2
Other: Basics Embossing Powder and Embossing Buddy
Adhesive and Tools, including the Blender Pens and Heat Tool

1. Stained Glass

I have two different ways to do stained glass, and two different ways to attach this to your card. Let's start out by folding your card base and creasing the fold with a Bone Folder. Emboss one of the large white rectangles with the embossing folder and attach to the front of the card with glue.

Use the Embossing Buddy on the large piece of vellum to remove any static, then stamp the large floral image with Memento Black ink. Since the ink stays wet longer on vellum, you can sprinkle it with the clear embossing powder and it will stick just as if you had used Versamark! Use the Heat Tool to melt the powder and when done, you'll see it looks like a medium gray color rather than black. I love that you can get this softer look by using Memento Black ink! Of course, if you want black, just use the Black embossing powder.

For this first sample, I decided to use Watercolor Pencils. These are so versatile because there are lots of colors and they can be blended together to get even more colors. When you use them, make sure you have a good point and color on the back side (non-embossed side) of the vellum. You don't have to be perfect, or even fill in the petals or leaves completely. Next, use the Blender Pen to blend the pencil marks and smooth out the color. Make sure to make marks on a scrap paper to remove the color from the pen tip before switching to the next color.

There are several ways I like to adhere my vellum. The first way is to use Adhesive Sheets. Use a piece the same size as the vellum. I peel off part of the backing and adhere it a bit at a time. Then peel off another section of the backing and press it down. This way, it's a little easier to manage than having a large sticky piece to add! Next peel off the rest of the backing and add this to the white rectangle of the same size. I wasn't thinking right when I was filming and did my trimming too early!). After the vellum is adhered, trim this down to be 2-3/4" x 4". Glue this to the Granny Apple Green piece and add Dimensionals to the back. Then add it the card front at an angle.

Stamp the small sentiment in Granny Apple Green on the small strip of white and trim as desired. Mat this with the Melon Mambo strip and trim. Add this with a Mini Dimensional and glue as shown. Stamp the large sentiment in Melon Mambo on the remaining piece of white and add to the inside. For the small flower and leaves, I colored them and fussy cut them out. To add them to the inside panel, I used my fine tip glue bottle to add a little glue and then spread it around with the tip. You could also use my trick of a silicon mat and trimmed pastry brush to apply uniform glue. To finish the envelope, stamp another flower/leaves and color with the pencils.

My second card utilized Stampin' Blends to color the flowers. I started with the Flowers Flair background stamp set and embossed the vellum with black embossing powder. After coloring the flowers, you will see they are more vibrant than the pencils, and that the brush strokes show up a bit more. I used an adhesive sheet to add the vellum to the white panel, then tied some Strawberry Slush Faux Linen Ribbon around it before adding it to my Blueberry Bushel cardstock with Dimensionals. The sentiment is from Beautiful Motifs. I used the background stamp to add a light Smoky Slate design on the inside and envelope too. As a tip, the Stampin' Positioner (available to order in May) makes using a large background stamp super easy!

2. Dry Embossing

When you dry emboss vellum, you get white edges so it looks two tone. For this sample, I used the Lazy Daisy 3D embossing folder. With the texture, I just used Seal to attach it to the Daffodil Delight base and you can't even see it. The labels are from the Nested Essentials dies and the sentiments are from Nature's Symphony stamp set. The Misty Moonlight Checkered Trim adds the final touch.

3. Card Base

Trim the vellum to be 4-1/4" x 11" and score at 5-1/2". I then cut out a large rectangle from the Product of the Month Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper (DSP) with the Perennial Postage dies and added it to the card front with a little bit of Seal in the corners. Depending on the pattern on the reverse side, or if you see the adhesive too much, you could add another piece of white the same size to cover it on the inside flap. I used a smaller die to cut out white postage label, then added a rectangle of white that I colored with blending brushes to coordinate with the DSP. The sentiment is from the Greenery Lane stamp set and the ribbon is Darling Duckling Faux Linen.

4. Alcohol Backgrounds Using Blends

I must forewarn you - this can get addicting! For the first sample, I added swipes of color diagonally down the vellum. Then I spritzed it with 91% rubbing alcohol to activate the ink. I blew on it to move the colors around. You will get different looks each time you try this technique as the alcohol spritzing is unpredictable! I used glue to adhere the vellum and spread it around with the trimmed silicon pastry brush. The sentiment is from Paradise Garden (fussy cut) and the gems are the 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls.

The second sample used Secret Sea and Cloud Cover Stampin' Blends where I covered the entire piece of vellum. Then I used a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and dabbed it on the colored vellum to activate the ink. My Happy Birthday is from a retired set of dies (Cloud Cover and Secret Sea cardstock) and the inside sentiment is from The Right Words. I love how this masculine card turned out! I mentioned this video which shows a lot more of the process of using Blends and alcohol to make backgrounds - it's an old one but I think you'll find it helpful.

5. Soften a Busy Background

I love showcasing our DSP, but sometimes, you just need a little buffer between the paper and your sentiment or design element. In this card, I used the Florals in Bloom DSP. The outside sentiment is from the Thoughtful Moments Hybrid embossing folder. The layer of vellum between the "love you" and the paper is just enough to set off the words. The lovely ribbon is Berry Burst Shiny Ribbon (my new fav!) and the card base is Secret Sea. My inside sentiment is from the Paradise Garden set. I added a few Natural Matte Dots for the finishing touch.

6. Floral or Greenery Elements

When you are making floral or botanical cards, you don't always want to have them in the color they are in nature. Vellum is the perfect solution! My first sample features paper from the Splash of Sparkles Specialty DPS pack in Timid Tiger and Bubble Bath. I used the Springtime Scenes bundle and making the leaves out of vellum kept the color scheme while adding texture and interest around my cluster of flowers.

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com Karen Sliwinski ©Stampin’ Up!

For the second card, I used vellum for parts of the flowers and the leaves (Petals of Beauty bundle). My card base is Petal Pink and the Poppy Parade Two Tone cardstock, folded over on the corner, makes the perfect backdrop for those pretty flowers (base is from the Garden Poetry DSP). The centers are the Moody Palette Glossy Dots. The sentiment is embossed in white and comes from the 2026 Virtual Cardmaking Retreat stamp set. I also used the Paradise Garden stamp set for my interior sentiment.

7. Embossed Sentiments

Lastly is this sample where I embossed my sentiment (Paradise Garden again 😉) with white on a strip of vellum. I wrapped a strip of Strawberry Slush Faux Linen ribbon around a rectangle of Mixed Up Patterns DSP, then wrapped the vellum just a little below it and adhered it to the back side. Even though there isn't any adhesive holding the sentiment down on the front, it is secure enough to stay in place due to being held down on the back. After adding this panel to a piece of white, I popped it up on the card base. The vellum leaf is from Nature's Symphony dies and I adhered it with rolled up Mini Glue Dots.

Whew! That was a lot of ways to use vellum! Were any of these new to you? If so, which one will you try? And which card was your favorite? I love so many of them - thanks for watching!