DIY- Heat emboss/make thermography for your #wedding invitations

September 9, 2009
Texture and fonts really set stationary apart (my humble opinion). Since I was making my invitations, I wanted to at least make them interesting.

My invitations were very simple and I did them in a week, but if I had more time, I would have tweaked a few things (image on front, chosen a different font for some of the text).

All in all, they reflected the vintage, traditional feel of our wedding. They were also cool because I did some heat embossing to create raised images. Basically, heat embossing weds and melts embossing powder to a stamped image to create a slick, raised surface. It creates an interesting edge and many people instantly ran their hands over the images when I gave them their invites.

Materials:
– Dahlia and cherry blossom rubber stamps, under $15 for all 3 incl. shipping – Etsy through Blossom Stamps.- Pigment ink pads, $4 after 50% coupon – Michael‘s

– Embossing powder, $2 after 50% coupon – Michael‘s- Heat embossing gun, $12 after 50% coupon – Michael‘s (get this, do NOT use a hair dryer)- Paper – 65 lb cardstock at Staples, $13, but used a $10 or $20 off $50 coupon from eBay (110 lb would be even better)

Here is how I created the heat embossed image:

1. Select a rubber stamp and pigment ink pad in a desired color.

2. Press the rubber stamp in the ink pad (all corners) and press it fully onto the paper.

3. Quickly pour embossing powder (clear or in your choice of a color) entirely on the image.

4. Tap excess embossing powder from the image, most powder will be stuck to the image now.

5. Use heat gun and point about 4-6 inches away from the image. Direct at one point for only a few seconds or the powder will fly and melt too quickly.

6. The image will now be heat embossed (sorry picture is a tad fuzzy).

Note: I loved these flower images, but would recommend less detailed or solid images if you are particular about the embossing. The stamp doesn’t always come out even and the powder gets everywhere! The girl’s flowers were dahlias though so I liked how it matched!
Ultimately, I did a heat embossed image on the main invite and one on the outside of the envelope in the back – I really liked the envelope invite image.

Unfortunately my husband moved the pictures of our invitations to never, never land folder so I can’t show you the invites just yet. You’ll have to wait until I get back to the US then!

Hope that helps and happy embossing!

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  • The Professional Bridesmaid September 10, 2009 at 00:20

    Well done! Can’t wait to see the final product. p.s. did you try using hair dryer, hence the warning?

  • Mo September 10, 2009 at 00:32

    1 week? I’m impressed!
    I can’t wait for a picture of the whole thing! When are you coming back to the U.S.?

  • honey my heart September 10, 2009 at 17:19

    the design and color you chose is so pretty. i’ve started using a stamp for a project, but am still so scared of embossing. can’t wait to see your invites!!

  • chicncheap September 10, 2009 at 22:43

    Thanks ladies! @Mo – 1 week out of necessity, honestly, I would have changed it if I had more time.

    I’m back in 6 months, earliest!

    @TPBM – nope I didn’t use a hair dryer but heard warnings on the web about that

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