arWanting to start stamping and embossing. What to use??

I am a relatively new scrapbooker, having taken a break and now getting back into it. I love the look of embossed images but am a little overwhelmed at the different kinds of inks, stamps, glitters, stickies, embossing folders (do I need these), "heat tool" (?), etc...

I wont' be stamping directly on photos so I believe that leaves solvent inks out. I will be using mostly cardstock and patterned papers in my layouts (Haven't used chipboard yet since I don't exactly know what that is). What is the best kind of ink? (pigments I think more so than dyes).

Where's the best place to find them at a decent price (especially since I'm just starting to experiment with them), ebay, Michaels, A.C. Moore, etc...??

Thanks a lot!
Kelly

definitely need a heat gun made for embossing. Then, some versa mark ink and some embossing powder to start. I see that you are in PA. If you can, take a class or 2 at the CKC in Lancaster this summer or at the Expo in Somerset, NJ. There is also an Expo in Valley Forge I think. There are so many tutorials on the web and also on here. Just watch and start small with only the necessary supplies.

Welcome!

There are two kinds of embossing: heat embossing and dry embossing.

Dry embossing is just where you dent the paper on one side so that a pattern shows up on the other side. Embossing folders are designed for use in an embossing machine, such as a Texture Boutique, or Cuttlebug, or Sizzix Big Shot.

Heat embossing is where you stamp your image with pigment ink or an embossing pad, quickly sprinkle embossing powder onto the wet image, then melt the powder with a heat gun. You get a shiny outline that you can colour in if you wish. You cannot use a hair-dryer for this - you really need a heat gun.

It's absolutely understandable to be overwhelmed by all the different products! See up at the top of this site where it says Videos and Resources? You can search in those for all the ink articles and learn a bit more. It pays to play with the search engine on this site too, and work out how to use it effectively. There is so much information here.

Feel free to come and ask if you have any questions. There's a lovely bunch of friendly, helpful people here. Good luck!

Hi nurse Kelly- ok I am also kinda new to embossing been doing it for less than two years!
I bought a marvy unchida heat gun at my local expo back in 2012 along with 4 embossing powders-1. clear, 1. white, 1 pink, and had to get 1 big silver glitter embossing powders!!! love doing this but I have NEVER tried coloring the image in! cool I will have to try it oh and you NEED to try out perfect pearls by ranger I bought one set and use the versamark ink pad then sprinkle or more like dust the different colors of pp onto it then walk it through a mist of water to set - love this effect try it you might love it!!! good luck!!!
mindygail

I love using Versamark ink with embossing powders. Most of my embossing powders are from Stampendous or American Crafts. I also use a Marvy Uchida heat gun/tool. I've had it 10 years and it's still going strong.

I like to use smooth cardstock for heat embossing although I have stamped/embossed on pattern paper as well. One tip when heat embossing - use a dryer sheet and swipe your paper. It helps reduce the static and you won't get as many random bits of loose powder sticking to your page.

I like dry embossing but you will need a machine for that and have to purchase individual embossing folders. It can be quite an investment (not that stamping isn't but the machine can be pricey if you don't already own one).

I'm linking up some products so you know what we're talking about but there is a great variety out there. I think clear, opaque white, opaque black, silver, and gold are must have embossing powder basics. I find that I reach for those most often.

Good luck and remember to have fun!

I use clear embossing powder over colored ink a lot. First I stamp a sentiment in whatever color ink I want and then I stamp over it with Versamark clear ink and then sprinkle a clear embossing powder over that. After you heat it it will be a beautiful, shiny stamped image. I do it this way mostly because I don't have a lot of skill or patience with the darker color embossing powders and no matter what I do I end up with little speckles where I don't want them. It also saves money not having to buy all the colors of powders. I do love silver embossing powder though.

I also love silver ep- works really well!

just curious why can't you use a hair dryer?

A hair dryer does more blowing than heat and sends your powder everyplace but where you want it! It just does not get hot enough.

Kelly, be sure to use those discount coupons for getting your supplies, some place have 40 or 50% savings with one coupon! Those can save you a bundle! I know Michael s and Hobby Lobby have them maybe even more places. Those are just the 2 places I shop. I know sometimes people are willing to swap items so it never hurts to ask

I have been looking for a anti static pad for awhile now. I have tried Inkadinkado and goodbye static. Well there is a new one that I make myself. It's cheaper and larger than my competitors products. I make these with the finest clay out there! You can not heat emboss without a good product to eliminate the static from the card stock. We are a new company but our product is the best on the market! Don't believe me? Try it!!

I am a Stampin' Up demo and love their inks, embossing powders and card stock. Maybe you have a local demo that can show you the products and attend a workshop. If not, there are tons of demos with blogs- I have a blog that I show a lot of stamping on- but there are others, that you can surf and look too!
Happy Stamping!!