Dreamweaver Stencils Embossing Paste

Using Embossing Paste with Brass Stencils

This technique looks especially nice on dark card stock. It has a sharper edge to it than either dry or thermal embossing and, like dry embossing, it can also be stenciled with color. When iridescent powders are added to the regular embossing paste, the embossing almost has an "Indian sandpainted" look to it.

1. When using embossing paste on the brass stencils, you need to work quickly, because the paste sets up in 20-40 minutes and you don't want it to dry into the fine bridgework of the brass stencils.

2. Make sure you are working on a hard, flat surface and the stencil needs to be flat against the surface because if it is bent, the paste will go under the bridges and smear.

3. Tape out the edges well with Removable Tape (see Item#3159).

4. Pick up the paste on the bottom of the metal palette knife and smooth over the stencil's cut-out areas as if applying icing to a cake. Now the paste on the stencil is about 1/8"- 1/4" thick. At this point, scrape off the excess paste until all the holes are filled evenly and the stencil surface is smooth.

5. Immediately take off the tape and pick up the stencil from the paper--lifting it off in a straight up manner as much as possible. It is important to clean the stencil off immediately, so drop it into a pan of water until you have time to scrub it with a soft vegetable or nail brush. If there is a film or residue of paste on the stencil, use a rubber stamp cleaner that removes permanent inks.

6. Set aside the paste project for 20-40 minutes and, when dry, put the cleaned stencil back in place and color with a variety of mediums.