Oh So Beautiful Paper

It’s the ladies of Anti­quaria, back with another fab­u­lous and cre­ative DIY project for you all!  This week they show us how to use rubber stamps to create beautiful custom stationery!

How on Earth can you achieve the high end look of engraving on a shoestring budget??  Answer: Embossing!

When we first launched our rubber stamp collection, we tried everything we could think of to achieve a legible white ink on dark (or kraft) paper and we quickly found out that regular inks don’t do a very good job.  We were thrilled when one of our clever customers used this technique on the cover of her wedding programs, embossing white on navy paper.  From there we started experimenting and found it looked awesome on all sorts of colorful paper!

You can use this embossing technique on lots of different projects, such as these fabulous and simple gift tags.  We also used it to create a set of custom stationery, perfect for thank you notes!!  For the gift tags, we used our Calligraphy Names Stamp.

Step One: Get your supplies ready.  Unscrew the top to the embossing powder and uncover the stamp pad.  Make sure your envelope is set on a (really) hard surface, with a piece of scrap paper set underneath (to catch excess powder).  Using the embossing (clear) stamp pad, ink the stamp thoroughly.  Center the stamp and press down with even pressure.  We used our Calligraphy Return Address Stamp on this envelope.

Step Two: Immediately following stamping the image, pour on a healthy amount of embossing powder.  Shift powder around a bit to ensure your image is completely covered.  When you are satisfied, pour the excess onto the piece of paper underneath and lightly tap off any excess (not too hard or the powder will loose hold of the sticky ink).  Pour the powder back into the jar.

Step Three:  Using your embossing heat tool, heat image (holding the gun 3-5 inches from the surface) until the powder has melted into a solid, approximately 30 seconds.  Let cool.

*Be careful not to burn yourself on this very hot tool.  Also, if you hold the embossing heat tool too close to the paper, it could scorch or warp.

Materials:

Rubber Stamps: We used Calligraphy Names Stamp and Calligraphy Return Address to create the personal stationery and gift tags.

Clear Embossing Stamp Pad

Embossing Powders

Embossing Heat Tool

A2 Envelopes in Navy

Assorted Paper

For Gift Tags:

Small hole punch

Bakers twine

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

1. Antiquaria says:

   02/06/2012 at 12:45 PM

   Nicole,
   Once the powder is heat set, it definitely won’t rub off. It should work on all of your pieces, assuming that the paper is of a higher quality so that the heat doesn’t warp it. Hope this helps!!
   Antiquaria
2. Nicole says:

   02/01/2012 at 12:08 AM

   I’m doing this for my invites too! Have you tried this on RSVP envelopes? Do you think the embossing will rub off? I really want to emboss my calligraphy stamp on my RSVPs…thanks!
3. jen says:

   07/27/2011 at 10:07 AM

   I so forgot about this technique! I used to do this to make custom holiday cards when I was in college ( and worked at A.C. Moore) It really is super simple and looks really pretty. and embossing powder comes in SO many colors!
4. Antiquaria says:

   07/22/2011 at 1:15 PM

   We didn’t have any issues with the envelopes, we just held the heat gun far enough away and only used it just long enough to fuse the embossing powder.
5. LW says:

   07/22/2011 at 12:42 PM

   Does the heating tool mess with the glue on the other side of the envelope flap (used for sealing the envelope closed)? Love this idea. Thanks!
6. Antiquaria says:

   07/21/2011 at 2:32 PM

   It is so easy…nothing to be intimidated by. I’m so glad that it’s inspired you to try!
7. Akiyo says:

   07/21/2011 at 2:27 PM

   I’ve always wanted to emboss something but I’m so intimidated by it. You ladies make it look super easy! So beautiful!
8. Whitney @ WhiskerGraphics.com says:

   07/21/2011 at 12:59 PM

   So beautiful and clever! Thanks for linking to Divine Twine.
9. Malle
   Twitter: BzENGunWwAgXwpQfKwZ
   says:

   01/31/2012 at 8:56 PM

   This blog is truly amanizg and awesome to read in. Very full of information and knowledge. I hope you will continue create blogs that are nice and very helpful to everybody.

Trackbacks

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5. Save the date! « says:

   07/21/2011 at 11:02 AM

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