Embossing powder
Embossing powder is a fine powder that can be melted into a raised area. This technique is called heat embossing.
Embossing powder exists in different colors (metallic, white, black or any other color), different grain sizes, opaque vs. see-through, matte vs. glossy, with or without glitter, glow-in-the-dark, sticky (to use as a glue) …
Contents
Grain sizes
Embossing powder generally exists in three different grain sizes:
- fine or detail: for images with fine lines and details or fine text
- regular: for text that is not too small and most images
- ultra thick or ultra high: these big grains give a distressed look to images, but can also be used to quickly heat emboss big surfaces. The big grains might give a slightly uneven result, but by repeating the heat embossing process, the surface will even out.
Storing
Some jars of embossing powder are treated to be anti-static, so transferring the powder into a bigger container might be easier to apply the powder, but might give a bit more static.
If you use a piece of paper under your project, it's easy to get the remaining powder back into the jars the powder came in.
Swatching
Swatch your powders and keep a stack of swatches and/or stick a piece of heat embossed paper on the top of the jar. This will help you find the right powder faster.
Keep in mind to swatch the (semi-)transparent colors on both white and black card stock, so you know what to expect when using the powder onto your project.
Brands
Brands known for their embossing powders are:
- WOW! (biggest assortment of embossing powders)
- Hero Arts
- Brutus Monroe
- Ranger
- Judikins