Stencils are one of my most versatile tools in my craft room. Today I want to share another fun technique you can do with your stencils, dry embossing! Dry embossing is a great way to add subtle texture to your handmade cards and to learn how to dry emboss with your stencils, watch the video tutorial down below!
Dry Embossing with Stencils – The Video Tutorial
In the video above I use some products that were sent to me free of charge for design purposes. I just want you to know I don’t use products or work with companies that I can not stand behind! For more information on my affiliations or design team work, head HERE.
Dry Embossing with Stencils Technique
For this technique you’re going to need only a stencils, I’m using The Crafters Workshop stencils today, a die cut machine, felt, and cardstock. When choosing your stencils, be sure to choose a heavy weight stencil for the best impression. That’s why I like TCW stencils. They are nice and thick and create a beautiful impression! Also, a heavier weight cardstock works best. I’m using 110 lb. Recollections cardstock.
After you gather your supplies, the technique is very simple to do. Use the sandwich that you normally would use for your dies, but instead of a die in that sandwich change it out for the felt and the stencil. Here’s my sandwich for the big shot —
Multipurpose platform (both tabs down), bottom cutting plate, three layers of felt (adjust according to the pressure of your machine), cardstock, stencil, and top cutting plate
Once you figure out your sandwich, how many layers of felt you will need to use, etc. all that’s left to do is send it through your die cutting machine! This can be a little difficult to send through, the main rule to follow is DON’T FORCE IT! If the sandwich doesn’t want to go through, don’t push it. On the other hand if it’s too easy to send through, you might not have enough pressure to create a nice impression. It really is about playing around and finding what works best for each individual stencil brand and your machine.
Finishing the Handmade Cards
Birthday Handmade Card
For my first project I went very straight forward with the dry embossing with stencils technique. For the stencil, I used the “Waves” stencil from The Crafter’s Workshop. It’s really a cake and cookie stencil, but I love the pattern so much I use it in my cardmaking! I ran the stencil through with a die cut oval and that was my background to add my stamped images.
To finish this card I used a small stamp and die set from Lawn Fawn called “Year Seven”. I love the little pinata!! I colored the images with my colored pencils and OMS. I also added a Celebrate die cut to complete this fun and bright birthday card!
Hugs Handmade Card
This card is so simple! I started by dry embossing with the “Love Frame” stencil from The Crafters Workshop. I placed the stencil strategically onto my cardstock so the heart frame would be in the lower right hand corner. I knew I wanted this to be the background for my sentiment.
Before I added my die cut hugs sentiment, I wanted to emphasize the dry embossing from the stencil. To do that I used ink blending! It’s such an easy way to really highlight the embossed areas! And to finish the card I added a hugs die cut sentiment that I built up to create a chip board effect.
Friend Handmade Card
On this card I did a little some different with the dry embossing with stencils technique. Before running the stencil and cardstock through my die cutting I added pigment ink onto the stencil. I used Versafine Clair ink in Summertime. The pigment ink will lay nicely on the stencil and doesn’t bead up. It also stays wet for a long period of time which allows you time to position the cardstock and load everything into your die cut machine.
What you are left with, after you run the stencil through your die cut machine, is an impression but also the ink transfers to the cardstock and creates a letter press look! This is such an easy way to take dry embossing with your stencils to the next level!
To finish this card I used the Feathered stamp and die set from Concord & 9th. I added a few feathers a simple friendship sentiment so I could keep the focus on that awesome embossed background!
Tips and Tricks for Dry Embossing with Stencils
- The stencils you use can alter how much felt you’re going to need and the amount of embossing you will get. Thicker, sturdier stencils work better for this technique.
- This technique will also be a bit different dependent upon which die cut machine you use and how old your machine is, too. A machine that applies more pressure will need less felt where an older machine that doesn’t apply as much pressure anymore will need a bit more.
- “Listen” to your die cut machine as you play around with your sandwich and the amount of felt you are using. Don’t force anything through that doesn’t want to go through.
- Another component that will alter the results you get is the cardstock you use. A heavier weight cardstock is the way to go. I used 110 lb cardstock for each of my projects today.
- There are a lot of way to take this technique to the next level. I showed you a few ways, by ink blending over the embossing or adding ink to the stencil before you emboss, but there are so many other ways. Play around and have fun with it!
I hope you all enjoyed a look at this fun dry embossing with stencils technique! It’s such a great way to add a bit of texture to your handmade cards and another way to use your already versatile stencils!
If you are interested in any of the supplies I used today, you can find them all listed and linked down below. Until next time, happy crafting!!
Supply List
Affiliate links are used The Crafter’s Workshop TCWCC5-5019 Cookie & Cake Stencils 5.5″X5.5″-Waves Shop at: AMZ |
 The Crafter’s Workshop – 6 x 6 Doodling Templates – Love Frame Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 The Crafter’s Workshop – 6 x 6 Doodling Templates – Distressed Lace Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Onepine 15pcs 7.9×11.8 inch（20×30 cm）Craft Felt Fabric Sheets Shop at: AMZ |
 Sizzix – Big Shot Machine – White and Gray Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Lawn Fawn – Clear Photopolymer Stamps – Year Seven Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Lawn Fawn – Lawn Cuts – Dies – Year Seven Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Waffle Flower Crafts – Craft Dies – Nesting Ovals Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 132 Pack Shop at: AMZ |
 Gamblin Gamsol Oil Color, 16.9 oz, Clear Shop at: AMZ |
 Dappen Dish Glass Shop at: AMZ |
 Pipettes (20 PCS) Shop at: AMZ |
 Blending Stumps and Tortillions Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Lawn Fawn – Lawn Cuts – Dies – Everyday Sentiment Banners Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Heffy Doodle – Heffy Cuts – Celebrate Shop at: SB.COM |
 Tsukineko – Memento – Fade Resistant Dye Ink Pad – Tuxedo Black Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 MISTI Stamping Tool – The Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Scotch Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape Shop at: AMZ |
 Sweet Celebration Paper Pack Shop at: N2S |
 Catherine Pooler Designs – Party Collection – Premium Dye Ink Pads – Party Dress Shop at: SB.COM |
 Clarity Stencil Brushes Set Of 4 Shop at: AMZ |
 Heffy Doodle – Heffy Cuts – Hugs Shop at: SB.COM |
 Tsukineko – VersaFine Clair – Ink Pad – Summertime Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Tsukineko – VersaFine Clair – Ink Pad – Pinecone Shop at: SB.COM | AMZ |
 Concord and 9th – Clear Photopolymer Stamps – Feathered Shop at: SB.COM |
 Concord and 9th – Dies – Feathered Shop at: SB.COM |
 2 Rolls Double Sided Foam Tape Shop at: AMZ |
 Nuvo – Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: SB.COM |
 Fiskars – 12 Inch Personal Paper Trimmer with Cut-Line Shop at: SB.COM |
 Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: AMZ |
 Premium Black Embroidery Floss Shop at: AMZ |
The supply list above contains affiliate links. These affiliate links can be used by you at no additional cost. For more information on affiliate links and the full supply list head HERE.
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