Mask-Embossing Tutorial

Using masks with stamps when you are heat embossing is a really fun way to make something unique and to stretch your stash at the same time! You can make your own masks from ordinary paper using dies. Then place the die-cut shape over a stamp, ink it up with an embossing ink like VersaMark, remove the mask then stamp and heat emboss the image as you would normally.

It works particularly well with any of your background, pattern or texture stamps and is a great way to give those stamps a new look. Don’t forget that you can use both the positive die-cut shape and the negative shapes and frames left over after die-cutting. So you can make bespoke embossed frames and shapes by just matching up your dies and your die-cut shapes.

In addition, think about using the pattern on your stamp to help guide your mask. So if there is a specific area of the stamp that you can mask off to give it a new use, such as a patterned frame design, then also try that. You can see examples of how to use that with the Hello Floral and Best Wishes cards. Have fun trying this out and giving your stamps a new lease of life!