Selective Embossing Tutorial
Partial embossing is a fun technique that allows you to dry emboss card whilst keeping part of it free and clear from embossing. There are different ways to achieve this effect, and by far the easiest method is by inserting only a portion of your card into your embossing folder before running it through your die-cutting machine, thereby leaving the remaining card un-embossed. You can create embossed borders from full embossing folders using this technique.
If you wish to create a frame of embossed card whilst leaving the centre un-embossed, or emboss a shape into plain card, you will need to use an embossing diffuser. Embossing diffusers are pieces of thin plastic or chipboard cut into the shape you want to emboss. You can purchase ready-made diffusers, such as the Sizzix Embossing Diffuser 3 packs, (refs 657945 and 660245) or make your own using chipboard, as I have done. To create a frame diffuser, simply trim a piece of chipboard to the size of the front of the embossing folder and cut out the shape that you want to be un-embossed, eg an oval, from the piece of chipboard. Lay the diffuser on top of the embossing folder before sandwiching them between your die-cutting machine plates, then roll the sandwich through your machine. The pressure of the die-cutting machine will be applied to the surface of the diffuser only and therefore the cut out part will remain un-embossed. You can also use the waste piece of chipboard in the same way to emboss a shape onto card whilst leaving the rest of the card un-embossed.
Experiment with scraps of card before creating your final embossed pieces so as to ascertain the exact sandwich you need to use with your particular die-cutting machine. Some embossing folders such as Spellbinders folders are thicker than other embossing folders, such as Cuttlebug embossing folders. Therefore, you will need to adjust your embossing sandwich accordingly. Most manufacturers have an Embossing Compatibility Guide on their website which gives sandwich recommendations for most die-cutting machines.
Open the embossing folder and ink the inside of the top flap of the embossing folder with Ocean Depth ink
Partially insert a 13.2x10cm piece of white cardstock into the embossing folder so that it stops approximately 2.4cm from the left edge of the cardstock. Use Washi tape to tape the card to the bottom flap of the embossing folder and emboss
Use the pierced border die from the Lawn Fawn Stitched Borders die set to add a pierced border along the top and bottom edges of a 10x2.7cm piece of Island Indigo cardstock. Wrap the centre with white seam binding
Layer the embossed and inked panel onto a 10.3x13.5cm piece of Island Indigo card. Attach to the centre of an 11.0x14.2cm tent-fold card blank. Attach the seam binding panel over the join where the embossing finishes
Stamp a ‘Thank you’ sentiment above the seam binding panel using Ocean Depth ink
Add teal paper flowers to the card front to the top of the card front as shown
Die-cut a solid and detailed butterfly from white cardstock, assemble and secure to the seam binding. Add pearls as shown to finish
You will need
- White 11.6x12.5cm card blank
- Whisper White Stampin’ Up! cardstock
- Heidi Bazzill Basics cardstock
- Apple Blossom Everyday Sentiment stamps
- Purple Hydrangea & Spring Pansy VersaMagic inkpads
- Pearls
- Purple seam binding
- Lilac paper rose
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
- Spellbinders Nestabilities Floral Ovals die set
- Frame embossing folder
You will need
- White 11x14.2cm card blank
- Apple Blossom Everyday Sentiment stamps
- Whisper White & Island Indigo Stampin’ Up!
- Ocean Depth VersaMagic inkpad
- Pearls
- White seam binding
- Teal paper flowers
- Manual die-cutting machine
- Lawn Fawn Cuts Stitched Borders dies
- Floral embossing folders
- Butterfly dies
You will need
- white 14.8cm-square card blank
- Whisper White Stampin’ Up! cardstock
- Heidi Bazzill Basics cardstock
- sentiment stamp
- Purple Hydrangea & Spring Pansy VersaMagic inkpads
- pearls
- paper flowers
- paper piercer
- 3D foam pads
- manual die-cutting machine
- butterfly dies
- Spellbinders Nestabilities Stately Circles die set
- embossing folder
- //Sbhead//
- Simply make
- Partially insert a 13.8cm square of white cardstock into the embossing folder so that the edge of the embossing folder stops at approximately 0.50cm from the left edge of the cardstock. Affix the card to the bottom flap of the embossing folder using Washi tape. Close the embossing folder and run through your die-cutting machine.
- Open the embossing folder but leave the white cardstock taped to the bottom flap. Ink the inside of the top flap of the embossing folder with Spring Pansy ink before embossing to create a faux-letterpress effect. Add piercing around the edge of the un-embossed section.
- Layer both panels onto the front of a 14.2cm square of white cardstock and then onto a 14.8cm panel of purple cardstock. Adhere onto the same sized tent-fold card front.
- Stamp the sentiment onto a white Stately Circle die-cut, affix to the card front using 3D foam pads. Die-cut two detailed butterflies from white cardstock and two solid butterflies from purple cardstock.
- Assemble the butterflies and add them to the card front, add three white pearls to each body of the butterflies. Add purple and white paper flowers in the bottom-left corner of the card front as shown to finish.
- //Crosshead//
- Hello
- //Flash//
- Intermediate
- //End flash//
You will need
- White 14.8cm square card blank
- Whisper White & Mint Macaron Stampin’ Up! card blank
- Apple Blossom Everyday Sentiment stamps
- Oasis Green VersaMagic inkpad
- White pearls
- White seam binding
- Green & white paper flowers
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting macine
- Lawn Fawn Cuts Stitched Borders die-cuts
- Spellbinders Nestabilities Floral Ovals, Classic Ovals Large & Classic Ovals Small die sets
- Embossing folders