Hello, crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a technique that will take your card-making game to a whole new level—something I like to call the "Embossing Folder Pop Technique." If you're anything like me, you love finding new ways to add texture and dimension to your cards, and this technique does just that while bringing in a fun burst of color!
Why I Love This Technique
Embossing folders have always been a go-to tool in my craft room, but sometimes I find myself wanting to do more than just create a textured background. That’s where this technique comes in. By inking up the embossing folders before running them through your die-cut machine, you can create vibrant, colorful backgrounds that pop right off the cardstock. It’s a simple tweak that yields stunning results, and it’s perfect for those moments when you want to give your cards a little something extra.
I’ve been playing around with the Beveled A Gift for You and Beveled Thanks A2 Cardfront 3D Embossing Folders from Spellbinders, and let me tell you, these folders are just gorgeous. The detailed designs are perfect for this technique, allowing the ink to highlight every little nook and cranny of the embossing.
The Magic of Distress Oxide Inks and a Brayer
For this project, I reached for my trusty Distress Oxide Inks and a 4-inch brayer. If you haven’t tried inking your embossing folders before, you’re in for a treat. The brayer helps to evenly distribute the ink across the surface of the folder, ensuring that you get a smooth, consistent color when you emboss.
I used panels of Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock, which holds up beautifully to the pressure of embossing while still showing off the vibrant colors of the inks. Each card features a different color combination, and I had so much fun experimenting with how the colors blended and interacted with the embossed design.
Pro Tip: When using a brayer, I like to roll the ink on in multiple directions—left to right, then top to bottom. This helps to cover the entire surface of the embossing folder without any missed spots.
Experimenting with Watercolor Cardstock
One of the things I love most about this technique is how versatile it is. For one of the cards, I decided to try something a little different. After inking up the Beveled Thanks embossing folder with the leftover ink on my brayer, I placed a piece of watercolor cardstock inside, then gave it a light spritz of water before running it through my machine. The result? A beautifully soft, watercolor effect that added an entirely new dimension to the embossed design.
Pro Tip: When spritzing water onto your inked embossing folder, less is more. A light mist is all you need to activate the ink without over saturating the cardstock.
Adding a Touch of Gold
Of course, I couldn’t resist adding a little bit of shine to one of the cards. For this final design, I embossed a panel with the Beveled Thanks folder and then gently rubbed gold pigment ink over the raised areas. The gold highlights added a touch of elegance and really made the design pop against the cardstock.
This step is a great way to add a bit of sophistication to your cards, especially if you’re looking to create something with a more luxurious feel. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to do.
Pro Tip: Use a light touch when applying the gold ink. You want to highlight the raised areas without overpowering the design.
Finishing Touches
Once the panels were finished, I adhered them to card bases, keeping the embellishments to a minimum to let the embossed designs really shine. Sometimes, the best way to make a statement is to let the textures and colors do the talking.
This technique is perfect for creating cards that are simple yet striking, and it’s a wonderful way to make the most of your embossing folders. Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color or a touch of elegance, this technique offers endless possibilities.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re inspired to try the Embossing Folder Pop Technique on your next card-making project. It’s a fun and creative way to breathe new life into your embossing folders, and the results are sure to impress. I can’t wait to see what you create!
Popping Embossing Folder Technique Video Tutorial:
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(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
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Happy crafting!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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