Simple Steps to Successful Dry Embossing

1. Tape the Classy Brass template to the Stampin' Up! Light Table (PN 102888) or Window on a nice sunny day.

2. Decide which side of the card stock that you want to dry emboss.  For a raised image on the front of the card, place the paper face down.   For a depressed or concaved image, you place the card front face up over the dry embossing template. 

3. Once you have decided on the side of the image to dry emboss, prepare the surface of the card stock that you will be embossing with wax paper.  This helps the stylus to glide smoothly and aids in preventing tears.

4. Place the paper or card stock over the template with the waxed surface up then position the card stock over the template until it is aligned over the template to produce the desired embossed image.

5. To begin dry embossing, press the stylus lightly through the paper as if you were tracing the image with the template.  Trace the image multiple times until you are satisfied with the results.  Do Not "Color In" the image.

Some Helpful Dry Embossing Tips:

1. Use the largest Stylist Tip possible.  The smaller the stylus the more likely the paper is to tear. 
2. The harder the hand pressure the more likely the paper is to tear.  You will want to play around with the hand pressure to determine just the right touch for your dry embossed image.  You may want to try tracing the image several times with a light hand pressure to reduce on tearing.
3. Trace the out line of the dry embossed image, do not try to emboss or color in the "white space" .  Although, if you are using the Stampin' Up Vellum Card Stock (PN 101856) this can create a nice two toned image as the colored in section will turn white while the rest of the card stock remains unchanged.  (Great idea for an elegant touch to a wedding or anniversary card!)
4. For opaque card stock, Align and attach the template to card as desired with painters tape or masking tape (pat the masking tape on your jeans or pants to reduce its tack before applying it to your card).  You want to make sure that the tape you use will come off your card stock easy without damaging it.  Once the template and card are secured, flip it over to begin dry embossing.  You will be working blind on this, so you will have to rely on feel to know where to begin embossing.
5. Storing templates: They are best stored in an airtight vacuum sealed bag to avoid resting.  Really, who has the time for that?  Just make sure they are dry and sealed in a zip lock bag.

Some Dry Emboss Embellishment Ideas

1) Stampin' Up! Offers templates with coordinating stamps, Stamp the images and the dry emboss them with the coordinating template to add a unique look to your cards or Scrapbook Pages.  The Table below list the stamps and coordinating dry embossing templates at the time of postings.

Classy Brass Template		Coordinating Stamp Set
109542	Pick a Petal	109445	Pick a Petal
107412	Seeing Spots	107007	Seeing Spots
111807	Floral Frenzy	111626	Eastern Blooms
109541	Priceless	109260	Priceless

2) To color a raised dry embossed image, flip the image over after it has been embossed.  Position the template over the raised dry emboss image.  Voila you have the perfect masking to protect you non-embossed surfaces.  You can now add color with Stampin' Sponges (PN 101610) or Sponge Daubers (PN 102892) and Stampin' Pads or with Blender Pens (PN 102845) and Stampin' Pastels (PN 105542).

As always, if you have more ideas, tips or tricks please add them to the comment section. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. 

Happy Creatin'