Hi everyone. Welcome to another technique at Group of Seven Cardmakers. This month we are playing with a technique introduced to us by Christine during a Zoom call earlier this month. This technique creates amazing results with a few different techniques combined into one card. It all starts with watercolouring a background using re-inkers to create a very saturated, vibrant background. Once that is dry, an embossing folder is used to add dimension to the colourful card at the same time as adding black ink to the background. The results are incredible as you will see by the Group's cards below.
There is a warning with this technique. Using black ink to cover the debossed inside of your embossing folder can be a bit messy. Best to be prepared with a few paper towels handy. :) And some embossing folders (depending on the brand), end up with staining from the black ink. There are ways to remove the stains, but it means a bit of cleaning might be required with this technique.
Supplies:
- Embossing Folder (regular or 3-D)
- Re-inkers (3 colours work best)
- Medium or Large paint brush
- Watercolour paper or water-friendly card - several of us found watercolour paper worked best
- Water Mister
- Black Pigment ink (several of us found Versafine Clair Nocturne worked best) ... or Black Marker
- Embossing Machine
Optional Supplies:
- Anti-Static Powder
- Versamark or Clear Ink pad
- Embossing Powder
Alternative: First, emboss your blank card panel (regular card stock works great!). Then sponge inks over debossed side of design. Continue with adding black ink direct from stamp as above onto background of debossed side card front.
Technique Instructions:
Following the video above ...
- Mist both sides of your water-friendly card panel
- Wet paint brush and pick up first colour of re-inker and brush onto card randomly, covering approx. 1/3 of surface (if using 3 colours)
- Repeat with 2nd and 3rd colours of re-inkers to cover the card completely with colour
- Spritz with more water to let the inks move and level out
- Dry using heat tool
- Swipe / press Black ink pad over the debossed (indented) side of the embossing folder, keeping your ink pad flat. This inks the background of the design which is the flat surface. Make sure the black is solid.
- Carefully place your inked panel over the black ink background of the embossing folder and close.
- Run your embossing folder through your machine.
- If black ink doesn't cover completely, you can repeat the inking of the folder and run it through machine again. Make sure to line up using the embossing as a guide.
- Dry panel using heat tool.
- Not recommended to heat emboss sentiment on panel. Embossing powder sticks to this background, even if the card panel is dry. Recommend using sentiment banner or die-cut sentiment.
Optional: (most of the Group of Seven didn't do this part)
- Pounce anti-static powder over panel to ensure that nothing will stick to it.
- Lightly (very little pressure) run the Versmark pad over the panel ... it will just catch the very top of the raised design.
- Sprinkle with embossing powder and tap to remove excess powder; heat set.
Optional Alternative:
- Lightly run white pigment ink over the raised design to highlight.
These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy access.
It's a great reference for all of us! :)
Dry Embossing with Re-inker Watercolouring Card Samples
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