Dry embossing

Dry embossing is adding a relief to your paper by adding pressure and shaping the paper to have raised areas.

Ways to dry emboss

Die cutting machine

Most die cutting machines allow you to dry emboss. You'll get the best results by using an embossing mat. (This mat sometimes has to be bought separately.) Your manual will probably tell you in what order you'll have to combine your different plates and materials; the so called "sandwich". If you can't find any information about how to emboss with your die cutting machine, simply try out different combinations. You can also add an extra piece of paper or metal plate as a shim to add more pressure. Just make sure to stop adding pressure if you feel your machine can't handle the thickness of the sandwich.

Light box and embossing pen

Metal stencils can be used with an embossing pen and a light source like a light box. Place your metal stencil mirrored onto the light box, add your paper on top and press the embossing pen into the open shapes. Rub your pen on some candle wax to help it slide a bit better on rough paper.

Materials to use to dry emboss

Embossing folders

You can create a embossing effect by putting a piece of paper through a plastic embossing folder. In plenty of embossing folders, the backside (the so called debossed side) can look pretty as well.

Stacked pieces of paper

Add one or more layers of (thick) paper or card stock (cut in a shape) on top of your piece of paper and run it through your die cutting machine with the embossing mat. This will make an indentation (debossed) in the paper in that shape.

Stencils

Stencils can also be used for a very subtle debossing effect. Simply place the stencil on top of your paper and run it through your die cutting machine with the embossing mat.

Metal stencils

Those good old metal stencils that were used in combination with a light box and embossing pen can be used to deboss as well. Simply place the stencil on top of your paper and run it through your die cutting machine with the embossing mat.

Extra tips

Adding (embossing) ink

If you add ink to your embossing folder, stencil, shape … before running it through your die cutting machine, you get a fun effect. Make that embossing ink, and you'll have a different effect, since you'll be able to heat emboss the parts that have the ink on them.

Less chance of cracking your paper

Very lightly mist your paper with a bit of water before dry embossing. This will soften the fibers in the paper and your paper will have a smaller chance of cracking.