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    How to Emboss with a Heat Gun

    Craft Tutorials, Crafting, Fall Crafts, Halloween Crafts, Sponsored, Thanksgiving Crafts

    embossed chalkboard place cards with a Wagner embossing heat gun

    If you don’t have an embossing heat gun in your craft toolbox, you need one. You can use a heat gun to emboss all sorts of things, including paper, wood, chalkboards and metal, using rubber stamps, embossing inks and embossing markers. Once you try this easy and cool technique, you’ll be hooked!

    This is a sponsored post, and it contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    I get downright giddy when I learn a new crafting technique or when I get to try out a new crafting tool. I had so much fun playing with the new Wagner HT400 heat gun that is perfect for all kinds of crafts and small household projects.

    embossed chalkboard place cards with a Wagner embossing heat gun

    I used the HT400 to emboss some chalkboard clips — and lots of other things, too, using rubber stamps, embossing ink and embossing powder.

    I kinda went crazy embossing all the things — paper, metal, glass, wood, chalkboards. So, expect to see some more posts from me about this fun technique as I finish up some of those projects. Seriously, I had so much fun with this heat gun. I got lost in the creative process and spent way more time “playing” than I intended.

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    And when you see the magic that is heat embossing, you’ll understand why!

    Pretty cool, right?

    What is embossing?

    Embossing is a technique used to create a raised design on a surface, like paper, metal, leather or cloth. Traditionally, you would use special dies to create the raised design.

    When you encounter fancy stationery, like wedding invitations or high-end business cards, many have embossed printing.

    You can create the same effect using special embossing ink, embossing powder, rubber stamps and a heat gun. This process works on a variety of surfaces, including metal, paper, wood, cloth and glass.

    What supplies do I need for embossing?

    To begin embossing, you will need the following supplies

    • An embossing heat gun, like the Wagner HT400
    • embossing ink pad or embossing pens
    • rubber stamps
    • embossing powder
    • surface for embossing
    • funnel tray
    • embossing buddy anti-static pad

    embossing heat gun, rubber stamps, embossing powder and other supplies for embossing

    How to Emboss with a Heat Gun

    Since it is almost fall, I decided to emboss some wood chalkboard clips to use as part of fall tablescape. I found my chalkboard clips in the dollar section at Target, but you can purchase similar ones here.

    Before applying the stamped image your surface, it’s helpful to go over the surface with an anti-static pad, also known as an embossing buddy. This prevents the embossing powder from sticking anywhere but to the ink. If you don’t want to buy an embossing buddy, you can make your own using baby powder and a sock.

    Don’t worry about any residue left behind by the anti-static pad. Once the project has been embossed and completely cooled, you can use a lint-free cloth to remove any residue.

    preparing a chalkboard surface for embossing with an embossing buddy

    Once you’ve rubbed or patted the embossing buddy over the surface, you can apply the stamped image using an embossing ink pad.

    stamp and embossing ink pad with a chalkboard clip

    Make sure you get ink on the entire raised surface of the stamp.

    stamping a pumpkin design with embossing ink on a chalkboard clip

    Press the inked stamp firmly onto the surface, being careful not to smudge the design as you’re stamping.

    chalkboard clip with a pumpkin design stamped on it with embossing ink

    You’ll be able to see the outline of the design on the surface. On lighter surfaces, the embossing ink may appear pink while wet.

    pouring embossing powder over a stamped design on a chalkboard clip

    While the ink is still wet, sprinkle embossing powder over the stamped design. (I used a copper metallic embossing powder for this project.) Do this over a funnel tray or a clean sheet of paper so you can easily return any unused embossing powder to the container.

    Shake off any excess embossing powder into the tray.

    embossing powder over a stamped pumpkin design on a chalkboard clip

    The embossing powder will stick to the stamped design.

    Using an embossing heat gun to emboss a metallic copper pumpkin design onto a wooden chalkboard clip

    Now, it’s time to apply heat to the stamped image to create the raised or embossed design.

    While I love my Wagner Furno heat gun for DIY projects like wood burning, stripping paint and removing veneer, the HT400 is perfectly suited for small projects and crafts like heat embossing.

    It’s compact and fits comfortably into your hand in multiple positions. You can grip it like a pencil or hold it in the palm of your hand, or you can stand it upright and use it hands free.

    It also has two heat settings — LOW (450° F) or HIGH (680°F) —  depending on the project. When you’re embossing, I suggest you start out on the low setting so as not to damage the surface.

    Using an embossing heat gun to emboss a metallic fall harvest design onto a wooden chalkboard clip

    As you apply the heat, the powder will begin to melt and transform right before your eyes. It is truly magical to see the raised design emerge. I particularly like working with fine metallic embossing powders.

    embossing heat gun, rubber stamps, embossing powder, metal cachepot and other supplies for embossing

    As I mentioned earlier, you can use the embossing heat gun to add raised designs to a variety of surfaces. I had some metal cachepots in my craft stash, and I decided to try the technique on them, as well.

    clear stamped image on a black cachepot with an embossing heat gun

    It’s easiest if the surface you’re embossing is flat instead of curved.  You’ll get a sharper stamped image that way.

    embossing powder on a stamped tree design on a black cachepot

    One word of caution when you’re doing heat embossing: the surface will get hot and could burn you. Allow it to cool before touching or moving, or wear heat-protective gloves.The metal tip of the heat gun also gets hot, so be careful not to touch it.

    using an embossing heat gun to create a raised silver stamped tree design on a black metal cachepot

    For this particular cachepot, I added a tree stamp and used silver embossing powder.

    black metal cachepot with an embossed silver tree design

    I love how the metallic embossed design pops against the black surface!

    black cardstock tags with gold embossed bird, butterfly and birdcage images on them

    I also used gold embossing powder on some black chipboard tags. To create the intentionally messy gilded edge, I used a brush tip embossing marker.

    wooden chalkboard clipped with a copper embossed pumpkin design

    I can’t wait to begin incorporate these embossed projects into my seasonal and holiday decor. And you can be assured that I’ll be embossing more things with my Wagner HT400 heat gun.

    Pin This! How to Emboss with a Heat Gun

    wooden chalkboard clip with a copper embossed pumpkin design

    More Wagner Projects to Inspire You

    Every month, I’m sharing a new DIY project in partnership with Wagner using their paint sprayers, heat guns, rollers and other tools to inspire you to try them out for your own DIY projects.

    Don’t miss these other projects of mine using Wagner products:

    • DIY Outdoor Farmhouse Sink
    • Painted Outdoor Furniture Makeover
    • How to Paint Windsor Chairs Without Losing your Mind
    • Removing Veneer with a Heat Gun
    • Outdoor Bistro Chairs Makeover
    • Tween Bed Makeover
    • Painting Bamboo & Rattan Furniture with a Sprayer
    • Nightstand with Faux Zinc Top Makeover

    Filed Under: Craft Tutorials, Crafting, Fall Crafts, Halloween Crafts, Sponsored, Thanksgiving Crafts

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