Embossing Designs on Metal for Scrapbooking

by The Scrap Pack www.scrapgoods.com

Embossing Designs on Metal Metal embossing is a fairly new technique to scrapbooking. Embossing leaves a raised design by indenting the back of a paper or metal surface with a ball-tipped stylus. The most common way to emboss metal is to use a small brass template and a stylus. That method is effective, but the designs available in brass templates are somewhat limited. Also, since the brass template has limited uses, the expense is a factor for many people.

This article explores using embossing patterns other than brass templates. You can use rubber stamp images, computer clip art, and printed text. These patterns are equally effective, but vast in design choices and more economical.

Embossing a Stamped Image

1. Ink and Stamp Design: Ink the rubber stamp and stamp it onto the back of the metal. Note that your embossed image will be a reverse image of the stamp, so this method is not suitable for text.
2. Trace Design: Place the metal on a foam pad. Using the smallest size stylus or a pencil, lightly trace over the inked design. Once the design has been etched lightly onto the metal, the stylus will flow more smoothly over the metal.
3. Emboss Design: Trace over the image again with a larger stylus, making the design slightly deeper. If you press too hard or make an unwanted wrinkle, you can use a metalworking spatula tool or a brayer to re-flatten the metal.
   (For a soft look, skip to step 5. To make the image stronger, continue with step 4.)
4. Deboss the Front: Turn the metal over to the front and, using a small ball stylus (at least a size smaller than the one you use on the back), trace around the design close to the embossed lines. You can work out small imperfections this way too.
5. Cut Out and Mount: Using scissors or a craft knife, cut out your desired shape from the metal. Depending on the effect you desire, you can silhouette the design or you can cut it into a square, circle, etc. Adhere your metal to your page using strips of double-stick tape.

Embossing Printed Text

1. Create Reverse Text: Print the text that you want to emboss in reverse. Many graphics programs can print the text in reverse. If you do not have such a program, print the page normally, and then turn it over and trace the letters with a pencil to get a reverse image.
2. Affix Your Template: Trim the metal to the desired size and position it wrong side up on a hard surface. Tape the printed page to the metal, with the reverse text showing. You are working on the back of the metal, so that your completed text will be raised on the front.
3. Trace the Text: Use a pencil or an embossing stylus to trace lightly over the reverse image. Press lightly so as not to emboss it yet, but to leave a light impression. Remove the printed page. You should be able to see the text on the metal. If desired, you can run a metalworking spatula tool or brayer over the metal to remove small wrinkles or creases.
4. Pencil in the Image: Place the metal on an embossing pad or piece of foam. Using a pencil or a medium-sized embossing stylus and light pressure, trace over the impression. If you push too hard, you will make dents in the metal and may poke through it. You may find that using a pencil in this step is easier, since the lead tends to drag less than a stylus.
   You can stop now, or to make the text really “pop”, continue on.
5. Deboss the Front: Turn the metal over to the front and using a smaller ball stylus, trace around the lettering getting up close to the embossed lines. You can work out small imperfections this way as well.
6. Emboss the Back: Turn the metal over to the back again. Use the larger ball stylus to go over the letters applying light pressure. You can continue to work on both sides of the piece, smoothing out any imperfections. When finished, mount the piece with double-stick tape, or use eyelets or brads.

ScrapGoods™ is a monthly scrapbooking kit that includes technique instructions like these, plus supplies to complete the project. You can learn more about the monthly kit and other ScrapGoods club features at www.scrapgoods.com.

Copyright © 2002 The Scrap Pack. Printed here with permission. All rights reserved.

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