Kat’s Favorite Heat Embossing Products – 2019

Heat Embossing is a popular technique used to make stamped images stand out by adding a raised, shiny effect on your paper.  You achieve this look by stamping with an embossing ink (clear, sticky ink) or pigment ink, sprinkling embossing powder and heating it up with a heat gun.  So let’s get started and I will share my favorite heat embossing products with you.

Heat Embossing Gun

I use the Wagner Heat Embossing Gun which has just this year been redesigned. The one I have is an older version and is a straight design.  The newly redesigned one has a handle which looks pretty handy.  This heat gun has two heat settings, heats up quickly and has lasted for years and is still going strong. It sells for about $24 with free Prime shipping.

Mixed Media Heat Tool

Ranger Heat It Heating Too – I use this heat tool when I’m drying mixed media projects (art journaling)   I got this for an art journaling class (they required this brand because it makes NO NOISE).  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked and how quiet it is.It is also used by other crafters for heat embossing as well.  I prefer my Wagner Heat Embossing Gun for heat embossing because it heats up faster and has more power.  However, if you want a quiet, slower heaet, I highly recommend this one.

Embossing Powder Bag

Before you heat emboss you need to prepare your cardstock/paper by using an embossing powder tool/bag.  This keeps the embossing powder from sticking to the paper where you don’t want it to stick.  Any static cling or oils from your hands or even the tiniest big of moisture can make the powder stick  to stray areas and leave specks on your paper, and you only want it to stick to the embossing ink.  I have used several different products but in the end I always end up using a powder bag.

I recommend these two embossing powder bags:

Inkadinkadoo Embossing Powder Bag
Ranger Anti Static Pouch (Embossing Powder Bag)

Clear Embossing/Watermark Ink Pad

When you are looking for an embossing ink pad, you want something clear and sticky that dries slowly so that you can add embossing powder and heat emboss.  There are many good embossing ink pads on the market today including Nuvo Clear Embossing Ink Pad. and the most popular, Versamark.

I honestly use both and switch back and forth between these two.  It usually depends on which one happens to be on my desk at the time. because I feel like they both work equally.  They are also great for tone on tone stamping.  (Similar to a watermark on an image).

Embossing Pens

There are two embossing pens that I have and use.

Nuvo Embossing Pen

The Nuvo Embossing Pen has a fine tip which allows makes touching up stamped images easy but also allows you to add highlights to your stamped image/sentiment.  It works the same as the embossing ink pads, but in pen form.

Versamarker Embossing Pen

The Versamarker Embossing Pen works exactly the same as the Nuvo Embossing Pen, I just happen to have and like both equally so I’m including them both.

Embossing Powders

There are so many different kinds of embossing powders in as many colors.  However, I have just a few favorite embossing powders and I’ll tell you why and what I like about my faves so you can decide if you want the same qualities for your own craft stash.

My personal favorite embossing powders are “ultra fine” or “super fine”.  When these powders dry, they dry smooth and shiny.  Embossing powders that are not “fine” dry with a texture that I don’t care for personally.   There are several companies that make great embossing powders and I will list a few of my own here.  First let me explain why I only have a few powders in my collection.

If you use clear embossing ink you can use any color embossing powder you’d like which to me, means investing in many colors of embossing powder.  For me, I prefer to use different colors of pigment inks and clear embossing powder over the top which gives you the same look and effect for less money (for me) because I have a lot of pigment inks.

So here are my favorite embossing powders:

Super Fine Detail White Embossing Powder by Ranger This super fine detail white powder is my “go to” when white heat embossing.  It melts smooth and cleanly, making for a beautiful heat embossed image.
Super Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder by Ranger This is the same as the white mentioned above, only in clear.  Perfect for heat embossing over colored pigment inks and a lot less messy than using colored embossing powders (in my opinion).
Ranger Super Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder This is the most beautiful, smooth, gold embossing powder I’ve ever used and I absolutely love it!
Ranger Super Fine Detail Silver Embossing Powder Again a beautiful, smooth, silver finish!  The super fine detail and the color is what makes these embossing powders so superior!
Judikins Iridescent Sparkle This photo doesn’t even BEGIN to do this powder justice!  It has the most beautiful, stunning iridescent sparkle  that turns any project into a sparkly wonderland!
Ranger Holographic Embossing Powder This embossing powder adds dimension and shine to your stamped images.  Just like holographic paper, it has that same finish when dried.
Sandcastle Embossinng Powder by Brutus Monroe This embossing powder looks just like sand and when I saw it, I couldn’t pass it up!  Its amazing the texture you get!  If you are looking to make a project that has sand in it, you will want to try this one!
My absolute favorite embossing powder of all time is the Nuvo Glitter Noir The other Glitter embossing powders I have I “usually” use on Christmas Cards and they are as follows: There are several silver sparkle powders I like which you can see HERE.  But the one I have and use the most is: Nuvo Glitter Noir WOW Gold Sparkle WOW Red Glitz  Ranger Green Tinsel WOW White Twinkle WOW Metallic Silver (Super Fine)

USE AND CLEAN UP

Many people use coffee filters to pour their embossing powder onto their project and then funnel it back into the container.  Personally, I hate coffee filters and I always spill it because they are not sturdy enough and well, let’s face it, I’m a bit of a klutz!  LOL  So I just use a piece of copy paper folded in half.  I use my Art Glitter Spoons to pour the powder over my stamped image and then tap it once or twice lightly on my desk (over the folded paper) to release any loose powder.

Then if there is any that spilled or strayed from my project, I use little pieces of cut up Swiffer Sweeper Dry Sweeping Pads.  I already had these at home and because i cut them into little pieces, it lasts FOREVER!  I did link to where you can buy them on Amazon, but you may already have these in your home! They are good for glitter clean up as well!  I got this tip from Jennifer McGuire (Thanks Jennifer!).

I will share how I organize and store my heat embossing products in the Organization post in this series.