Embossing Your Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Stamp embossing is a great way to add a unique, personal touch to your wedding invitations. It's an affordable technique that can give your invites a high-end look without breaking the bank. You can create embossed invitations yourself, using a stamp, pigment ink, embossing powder, and a heat tool. Alternatively, you can purchase custom embossing stamps or get bespoke wedding invitations with embossing from specialist stationers.

Inking the stamp

Inking your stamp is the first step in the embossing process and it's important to get it right. You'll want to use a pigment ink for this project, such as Colorbox. Start by inking your stamp with a gold metallic stamp pad. If you're using an oversized stamp, check out a tutorial for how to ink this type of stamp. Next, you'll want to centre the stamp over your card and press down firmly to make the print. It's important to work quickly as the ink needs to be wet for the next step.

For this project, you'll be using an A6 card (4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″). Centre your stamp and press down firmly and evenly to ensure the whole design is transferred. You'll want to work with one card at a time for this embossing technique. Once you've stamped the card, it's time to move on to step two and cover the ink with embossing powder.

Centring the stamp

Planning the Layout:

Before you begin stamping, it's essential to plan the layout of your invitation. Decide on the position of the stamp relative to the text and other design elements. Consider the size of the stamp and the space available on the invitation. You may want to sketch a few different layouts to determine the most aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

Measuring and Marking:

Once you've decided on the layout, measure the dimensions of your stamp and use a pencil to lightly mark the centre point where you want the stamp to be placed. You can also use a ruler to find the centre of your invitation and mark that point. Ensure your measurements are precise to achieve accurate centring.

Testing on Scrap Paper:

Before stamping your actual invitations, practise stamping on scrap paper of similar thickness. This will help you get a feel for the stamping process and allow you to adjust your technique as needed. Practise aligning the stamp with the centre mark and apply even pressure to get a clear impression.

Using a Stamp Positioner:

Consider investing in a stamp positioner, which is a tool specifically designed for centring stamps. It consists of a clear plastic sheet with grid lines that help you position your stamp precisely. Place the stamp positioner over your invitation, line up the grid lines with the centre of your invitation, and then place the stamp within the grid to ensure perfect centring.

Stamping with Care:

When you're ready to stamp your invitations, take your time and work carefully. Align the stamp with the centre mark, ensuring the stamp is straight and not tilted. Gently but firmly apply pressure to the stamp, being careful not to move it out of position. Slowly lift the stamp straight up to reveal the embossed impression.

Double-Checking Alignment:

After stamping each invitation, take a moment to double-check the alignment of the impression. Ensure that the design is centred and straight. If you notice any smudges or misalignments, gently erase the pencil marks and try again.

Applying embossing powder

To apply embossing powder to your wedding invitations, follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your work area. You will need a spongy surface to work on, such as a piece of felt, and a small paintbrush. It is also a good idea to have some loose-leaf paper to hand to catch excess embossing powder for reuse.

Now, ink your stamp using a pigment ink, such as Colorbox, and stamp your card, working one piece at a time. Centre the stamp over your card and press down firmly. Lift the stamp off and work quickly to the next step.

While the ink is still wet, sprinkle embossing powder over the print. Shift the powder around until it is solidly covering all of the text and graphics. Gently tap the card to remove any excess powder, and use a small paintbrush to carefully remove any remaining specs. Ensure you remove all excess powder as it will solidify if exposed to heat.

Finally, use an embossing heat tool to set the powder. Heat the powder until it has solidified, working on a small area at a time to ensure proper solidification.

You can now repeat the process for your return address.

Setting the powder with an embossing heat tool

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your embossing powder is evenly distributed and covers all the desired areas. Any areas without powder will not have the raised effect after heating. Gently tap off any excess powder before beginning. You can also use a small paintbrush to remove stray grains of powder.

Next, plug in your heat tool and allow it to heat up. Hold the heat tool approximately 6 inches away from the paper. Depending on your specific heat tool, you may need to adjust the distance—start further away and then move closer if needed. Be careful not to hold the heat tool too close to the paper, as it can burn the paper or cause bubbling in the powder.

As you apply heat to the powder, it will start to melt and transform. Continuously move the heat tool in small circles to ensure even melting and to avoid concentrating heat in one area for too long. Once the powder begins to melt, you will see a shiny, raised version of your design emerge.

Once you've applied heat to the entire design, let the paper cool down. This is an important step to ensure that your design sets properly and that you avoid any burns when handling the paper. After the paper has cooled, you can add any additional details or decorations to your wedding invitations.

With these steps, you can create elegant and raised designs on your wedding invitations, adding a touch of magic and dimension to your stationery.

Repeat for the return address

To stamp emboss your return address on your wedding invitations, you will need to repeat the same process as before.

Firstly, ink your stamp of choice with a gold metallic stamp pad. Center the stamp over your chosen card and press down firmly to make the print. You can use a Vintage Calligraphy Save the Date stamp, or a Bow Return Address stamp, for example.

Quickly move on to step two: while the ink is still wet, sprinkle embossing powder over the print. Shift the powder around the card until all the text and graphics are solidly covered. Gently tap the excess powder off onto a piece of paper, and use a small paintbrush to carefully remove any remaining specs of powder.

The final step involves using an embossing heat tool to set the powder. Heat the powder from a small distance until it has solidified. Check your work to make sure all areas have been set.

Finish off your invitations with gold washi tape on the back flap of the envelope.

Frequently asked questions