Emboss resist is a simple-yet-effective technique that can give your cards the ‘wow’ factor. With the emboss-resist technique, you can bring new life to background stamps and even make a striking card using a single large sentiment stamp – to be honest, there is no boundaries.

Emboss resist is where you stamp and heat-emboss using white or clear ink. At this stage it’s difficult to see the image created, but once you start adding inks the embossed area resists the ink, which really makes the final image pop.

As a beginner, you could just do a very simple stamped card, ink over it, add your sentiment and you’ve got a card you can definitely be proud of. But as you experiment more and more, you’ll discover different techniques or even happy accidents! For instance, if you first ink your card, stamp and heat-emboss with clear embossing powder, then blend your inks over the clear embossed area, the colour underneath will show through the embossed image. See my ‘It’s your Birthday’ card below as an example of this.

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You can use pretty much use any ink, but on my cards I’ve used Distress Oxides as they’re my go-to brand for this kind of technique – they’re so juicy and blend so beautifully, which is great if you're new to blending inks. And what’s more you can even ‘lift’ the colour – try using a water spritzer bottle to spray your inked card and dab with some kitchen paper, you’ll find the water mutes the colour – you can see this effect on the ‘hey gorgeous’ card.

Don’t panic if this all new to you, we’re going to guide you through it step-by-step – we’ve got a beginner’s illustrated guide below to help you get started. If you’re more used to this style of technique we’ve got a more advanced guide below to help you push your boundaries!

If you’re still after a challenge, why don’t you throw some of your own ideas in –there’s no limit to this technique. You don't necessarily need all the items from my descriptions – as long as you have stamps, a clear ink, embossing powder, a heat tool and coloured inks, you’re good to go!

You’re the best

HOW TO: master the basics of ink-blended emboss resist

1 Place a panel of watercolour card onto your stamp platform. Add anti-static powder to card.

2 Stamp the image several times to ensure the whole area is stamped perfectly.

3 Add white embossing powder to image. Remove excess before adding heat evenly.

4 Using your chosen Distress Oxide Ink and blending sponges, blend the colours over the heat-embossed area as desired.

5 Carefully remove any excess ink from embossed pattern using a piece of kitchen towel.

6 Matt and layer onto black card and add to card blank. Die-cut sentiment and add to card front to finish.

Top tip

When stamping clear ink onto a panel of white card stock use a stamp platform/stamping tool and stamp several times as it’s difficult to see the image, this will ensure you have stamped the whole image

Hello

1 Cut a 12.5x16cm piece of watercolour card, stamp and heat-emboss the large stamp onto the watercolour card as shown.

2 Using Distress Oxide Ink and blending sponges, blend the colours over the heat-embossed area and extend onto the plain white area. Remove excess ink from embossed area using kitchen towel.

3 Matt and layer onto a 13x16.5cm piece of black cardstock and add both to the card front.

4 Die-cut sentiment and add to the card front as shown, adding Crystal Drops and allow to dry.

Top Tip

To add extra dimension to die-cut sentiments, cut three or four and layer up

Hey gorgeous

1 Cut a piece of watercolour card to 10.5x14cm, stamp and heat-emboss the image onto it.

2 Using your chosen inks and blending sponges, blend the colours over the whole of the card until you have the desired effect. Remove excess ink from embossed area using kitchen towel. Spritz with water and pat dry using kitchen towel.

3 Matt and layer onto a piece of black card cut to 110mm x 145mm and add both to card blank.

4 Stamp the sentiment, trim using scissors and add to the card front, then add sequins to finish.

Top Tip

Use an anti-static bag or dryer sheet when embossing to avoid excess embossing powder

Beautiful

1 Using a circle die, cut a piece of watercolour card. Using the stamps and leaves, stamp and heat-emboss around the edges as shown.

2 Using your chosen inks and blending sponges, blend the colours over the heat-embossed areas and into the white space.

3 Remove the excess ink from embossed area using kitchen towel. Spritz with water and pat dry using kitchen towel.

4 Take the next size up die and cut a circle from black cardstock, layer onto the black die-cut circle before adding to a slightly larger white circle.

5 Using the same circle die, cut into card blank, leaving the top of the die hanging over the fold to keep spine intact. Add all other layers to the card front.

6 Place the card into the stamp platform and stamp the sentiment in the centre of the card front using black ink.

7 Keep card and stamp in place on the stamp platform. Clean the stamp before stamping again using clear ink. Add clear embossing powder and heat-emboss before adding sequins to finish.

Top tip

To enable a circular card to stand, snip a few millimetres from the bottom inside edge

Happy birthday

HOW TO: step up the skill level with ink-blended emboss resist

1 Blend your desired ink onto a 12x9cm panel of watercolour card as shown using blending sponges.

2 Stamp the background stamp onto the panel using clear ink and embossing powder, spritz with water and blot excess. Blend more ink onto the embossing.

3 Stamp the flower onto a panel of white cardstock using a platform and clear ink. Heat-emboss with white embossing powder.

4 Blend inks over the heat-embossed flower, and remove the excess ink using a piece of kitchen towel.

5 Using the co-ordinating Build-A-Flower die to cut out the heat-embossed floral and mount onto the background panel.

6 Layer the panel onto black cardstock, leaving narrow borders, then add the sentiments to finish.

It’s your birthday

1 Cut a 14x11cm piece of watercolour card, using white embossing powder, stamp and heat-emboss the flower and leaves onto the edges of the watercolour card.

2 Using your chosen inks and blending sponges, blend the colours over the whole of the card. Remove excess ink from embossed area using kitchen towel.

3 Using other stamps and leaves from the set, build a background by stamping and heat embossing. Blend ink over the newly embossed area. Spritz with water and pat dry using kitchen towel.

4 Matt and layer onto a piece of black cardstock, leaving narrow borders all around, and adhere to the card front.

5 Stamp and heat-emboss the sentiment, trim and mount in place using 3D foam pads to add dimension.