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Writer's pictureRick Adkins

Reverse Embossing Folder Technique: Video Tutorial | Spooky & Sweet Halloween Day 16

Hello, crafty friends! I’m excited to share another project in my Spooky & Sweet Halloween series, and this one brings a unique twist with the reverse embossing folder technique. Today’s card is full of fun textures, vibrant colors, and adorable little trick-or-treaters. If you’ve been looking for a way to step up your Halloween cards with a bit of drama and dimension, this technique will do just the trick (and treat)!


Let’s dive in and explore how I brought this card to life using the Boo Crew Stamp Set and some crafty favorites!


Reverse Embossing Folder Technique Blog Banner

Reverse Embossing Folder Technique:

The Boo Crew Takes Center Stage

I have to say, there’s something extra fun about Halloween cards—especially when the characters are as cute as these little ones from the Boo Crew Stamp Set by Hello Bluebird. The Boo Crew Stamp Set is sold out but you can get Hello Bluebird's Halloween Kit instead. The Halloween Kit is only available while supplies last. The kids all dressed up in their costumes, their loyal dog ready for treats, and the little candy pieces just scream Halloween excitement! I stamped them all onto my go-to Hammermill Smooth 100 lbs Cardstock in Intense Black Ink—I always reach for this combo when I want crisp, bold outlines that won’t bleed with alcohol markers.


Once stamped, I had a blast coloring the characters with my OLO Markers. These markers are my latest obsession because of how smoothly they blend, and the color payoff is perfect for creating vibrant images. For the costumes, I wanted to stick with classic Halloween colors—rich reds, oranges, red violets, blacks, and greens—while keeping the characters playful.


Pro Tip: When coloring images like these, think about creating dimension in the costumes with darker shadows around the edges and blending into lighter tones in the middle. This gives the outfits more depth and makes them pop off the card!


After coloring, I used the coordinating dies to cut out all the images. There's something so satisfying about having perfectly cut shapes ready to arrange on your card!


Boo Crew Spooky Forest Card by Rick Adkins

A Spooky Twist with the Reverse Embossing Folder Technique

Now, let’s talk about the background, where the real magic of this card happens. I wanted something that felt both spooky and artsy, so I reached for my Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencils Set 2 and a piece of Watercolor Cardstock cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Using watercolor pencils is such a fun way to layer colors and create a base for techniques like this.


I applied different shades from the set directly onto the paper in layers, covering the panel with rich pigments. Then, I spritzed the panel lightly with water to activate the colors and let them move. Watching the pigments flow across the paper was like a mini Halloween surprise—every panel turns out a little different depending on how the water and color blend!


Once I was happy with the look, I dried the panel with my heat tool. But here’s where it gets interesting: instead of using the textured side of the panel, I flipped it over and spritzed the back with a bit of water before placing it into an embossing folder from my stash. The key here is to have the pigment layer facing the debossed side of the folder—this is what gives us that reverse embossing look.


Pro Tip: When doing this technique, be sure to mist the back of your watercolor paper lightly. This softens the fibers and helps create a deeper, cleaner debossed effect.


Once the panel was embossed, I took my Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink Pad and lightly brushed it across the debossed areas. This step is where the card really starts to come alive! The ink clings to the raised portions, creating an eerie contrast between the dark ink and the colorful background underneath. It’s a simple touch, but it adds such drama to the design!


Boo Crew Spooky Forest Card by Rick Adkins Front View

Assembling the Scene

With the background ready, I cut the panel down to 4 7/8" x 5 1/8" and attached it to an A2 size card base. Now it was time to bring in the Boo Crew! Arranging these adorable characters was a lot of fun. I placed some of the trick-or-treaters directly onto the card front, while others I popped up with foam squares for dimension. I love using foam adhesive to add layers to a scene—it makes the card more dynamic and gives it that extra bit of life.


One of my favorite details is the little dog carrying the jack-o-lantern in its mouth. I also added some loose candy falling from the bag of the little devil character. These tiny touches can make a big difference in how interactive and fun a scene feels.


I finished off the card by stamping a sentiment from my stash onto a piece of Pitch Black Cardstock using Unicorn White Pigment Ink and heat embossing it with Opaque Bright White Super Fine Embossing Powder. I die cut the sentiment with a banner die from the You’ve Been Framed Die Set and attached it to the top of the card, trimming off any excess cardstock. The black and white sentiment stands out beautifully against the colorful, textured background.


Boo Crew Spooky Forest Card by Rick Adkins Close Up View

Finishing Touches

No card is complete without a few finishing details! I used my trusty White Gel Pen to add highlights to the images, giving them that extra bit of dimension and brightness. Darkening the eyes with a Black Gelly Roll Pen is another favorite trick of mine—it makes the characters look even more expressive. And for a bit of sparkle, I added some Star Dust Stickles here and there. It’s Halloween after all—why not add a touch of magic?


Boo Crew Spooky Forest Card by Rick Adkins Side View

Wrapping Up

And there you have it—a spooky, textured Halloween card featuring the adorable Boo Crew and the reverse embossing folder technique. I hope you feel inspired to try this technique for your next card, especially if you’re looking for a way to add depth and drama without overshadowing your stamped images. It’s such a fun way to experiment with texture and ink!


If you want a closer look at how this card came together, be sure to check out the video tutorial linked below. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today, and I can’t wait to see what you create with this technique!


Boo Crew Spooky Forest Card by Rick Adkins Over Head View

Embossing Folder Reverse Technique Video Tutorial:



If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!


(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!


OLO Color Combinations:

  • Dracula - CG 9, CG 7, CG 5, CG 3 (cape, hair, & shirt); WG 5, WG 3, WG 1 (pants); OR 4.4, OR 4.2, OR 3.2, OR 1.1 (skin); R 0.5, R 0.4, R 0.3 (red of cape); OR 1.3, OR 1.2 (pumpkin)

  • Witch - CG 9, CG 7, CG 5, CG 3 (hat & strips on tights); O 2.7, YO 2.5, YO 2.3 (hair); OR 4.4, OR 4.2, OR 3.2, OR 1.1 (skin); RV 1.7, V 0.4, V 0.3 (hat band); YG 1.6, YG 1.4, YG 1.2 (shirt); OR 1.3, OR 1.2 (skirt); RV 1.7, RV 1.5, RV 1.3 (strips on tights); YO 2.7, YO 2.5, YO 2.2, O 4.6 (Broom)

  • Pink Cat - OR 4.4, OR 4.2, OR 3.2, OR 1.1 (skin); RV 1.5, RV 1.3, RV 1.1 (outfit); OR 3.8, OR 3.7, OR 3.4 (hair); OR 1.3, OR 1.2 (pumpkin)

  • Devil - OR 3.2, OR 1.1 (skin); R 1.7, R 0.5, R 0.4, R 0.3 (outfit); YG 1.6, YG 1.4, YG 1.2 (bag); YO 2.3, YO 2.2 (hair)

  • Dog - O 4.6, OR 4.4, OR 4.3 (body) CG 5, CG 3 (eye); OR 1.3, OR 1.2 (pumpkin); YG 1.6 (collar)

  • Leaves - R 1.7, R 1.8; OR 1.3, OR 1.2

  • Candies - YG 1.6; OR 1.3; OR 1.2

  • Bats - CG 9, CG 7, CG 5


Copic Color Combo

  • R20, R22 (cheeks on all the images)


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














Rick Adkins

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