I was so happy to see your testing on the various card stocks, Kristina. I've been having issues with the pitting lately and have done some testing myself. A few observations: 1) Earlier tests seem to be crisper. I wonder if that's at least partly because after multiple tries there's residue from the previous embossing powder and anti-static powder on the Versamark pad. Those particles are very fine and seem to build up on all the surfaces -- paper, pad, stamps and even the glass mat -- over time. An interesting test would be to try a fresh Versamark pad with each stamping or, since that would be costly, to smear a little re-inker on the Versamark pad with each subsequent stamping. 2) I noticed this summer that white heat embossing was definitely more problematical on humid days. I have now put a little desiccant packet (those little sealed packets of silica gel that come in vitamins, medicine bottles, etc.) into each container of embossing powder and it seems to help to keep the powder dry and free from clumps. 3) I consistently had better success by briefly heating (almost just slightly warming) the back of the paper first before heating from the front. I find that hovering the heart gun swiftly and deliberately in circular motions over the top of the paper JUST UNTIL THE POWDER MELTS AND TURNS WHITE gives me the best results. Sorry for the wordiness here, but I wanted to share the results of my own exploration in trying to solve the pitting problem with white heat embossing on black stock. Hope this adds something to the discussion. Keep the suggestions coming!
Thank you for this test/review video, Kristina! A couple of years ago, I made Christmas ornaments with the Essentials by Ellen "Twelve Days" images. I stamped each image on black cardstock & embossed with white powder. I forget exactly what embossing powder I used, but it stuck all over, despite my using my powder bag! No matter how much cornstarch I put down, the embossing powder stuck even where there was no ink. Thankfully, I was able to brush it off with a tiny paintbrush or pick it off with my piercing tool (in the tighter, more detailed areas). But it took me FOREVER! It was interesting, because I usually don't have quite that much trouble. Also, for anyone with basic sewing skills, you can always make your own powder bag. I bought about 1/8 yard of muslin some years ago (after the sticker shock of pricing a new powder bag at Michael's), for maybe a dollar or 2. I cut it into small rectangles, then stitch the resulting pieces around 3 sides. I fill them with cornstarch using a small measuring spoon, and then just sew the open end shut. Easy peasy, and I have saved so much $$$$. I cut all the fabric down at once, and just put the pieces in a baggie. Whenever the amount of powder in the bags I'm using gets too low, I just sew a few more bags. Only takes maybe 10-15 minutes to do 3 bags (I do it on a sewing machine--if you hand sew, it'll probably take a little longer). Plus, the cornstarch I use had expired for food use, so I am not wasting that, either. Win win! Anyway, just a money-saving tip. Thanks again for this video, & have a wonderful day! :)
I applaud your efforts but there a few variables which affect your results. 1) The amount of time you allow the powder to sit on the paper before dusting off the excess powder. 2) The veracity in which you flick the paper to remove the excess powder and how many times do it. Maybe using a brush would be better instead. 3) The positioning of the phrase to be embossed on the paper. Simply because of the flex of the paper as you flick it can transfer the powder. 4) The stickiness of your stamp pad. Loved the paper colour comparison.
I have used both a powder tool and a powder bag and have found the bag works so much better at keeping stray embossing powder off my paper every time. Plus the powder tool I have has a “grandma perfume scent” which I find nauseating. The bag has no scent. I use Extra care when embossing White on Black paper. Thank you Kristina for a great video!! You rock!!
So glad to see this. I thought it was just me that had issues with embossing. I didn’t think about the paper making a difference or that embossing powders don’t last forever.
Thank you for the test. This was really helpful. I have a scent sensitivity, so will not buy a new EK Success tool. The embossing bag doesn’t have a scent.
Barb Thompson I also have sensitivity to fragrances. So I try to avoid use of anything that has fragrance in my home and in my crafting. I used the bag then bought the EK and immediately could smell that baby powder smell. Went back to the bag.
I would like to see the embossing powder brushed off a little more before you stamp. My hypothesis is that the powder partiicles stay under the embossing powder when it melts. I have the best results when I use the anti-static powder then brush off the excess before I stamp the clear embossing ink.
@Phleurdillee1 sometimes we leave too much powder on our projects thinking more is better. But once you use the powder you can brush the excess off. I usually pick up my paper and flick it a few times before I stamp with the embossing ink. Give it a try. We don't need gobs of powder under the ink, it keeps the ink from touching the paper.
Thanks for the heads up on the various shades of black cardstock!! In general, I find with embossing thicker fonts it works best to heat them quickly add more powder and heat a second time. Sometimes even three times is needed to fill in and make the letters smooth. I’m not sure if it would work on fine fonts.
Thanks for the video. I thought my embossing issues were just me, I always expect it to look perfect. Glad to hear others have same problems. I would love to see one comparing white embossing powders.
Thanks for your comparison of black card stocks and white embossing. The Hero Arts pitch black card is such a deep color - amazing! Would you consider testing different white embossing powders and other company’s embossing pads?
I'm afraid I already have my favorites there... VersaMark never fails me. I've tried some others over the years and return to VersaMark every time. As for embossing powders, I've tried all the ones I mentioned in the video, but my current favorite is from Brutus Monroe. :)
K Werner Design thank you for your response. I use VersaMark but always wonder if other brands are better. Seems to be a crafter’s quandary - buy the “new” product that someone online mentions or stay with the ones already owned. Have a good weekend.
Monica Wolfrom I have 2 embossing inks versamark as that is what I was taught with. I got Brutus Monroe’s embossing ink & it does make a difference. I also use various brand of embossing powders some work better with versamark. I reach for my Brutus Monroe embossing ink the most.
This is something I've noticed alot since starting my card journey a few years ago, kinda just thought it was me looking too close or doing something wrong... but thank you for actually doing this. Might seem like a weird video but it's actually helped ease my mind with all these issues! Thank you so much for doing this!
Ultra fine embossing powder works considerably better when using it on lettering, it seems to settle better into the unevenness of card stock. I have a much better success rate using this over standard powder especially when using white on black. Just a suggestion Kristina, maybe you could do a small test off camera to try it for yourself and compare with the test you have just done as this may give you different results. Thanks for the informative videos they are really great.
So interesting to see them all tested and which way worked the best. I heard that Bazzill was bought by American crafts and was no where near the weight it used to be nor is the color as rich as it used to be. I was very sorry to hear as Bazzill was always my holy grail. I used to have a huge stock pile of 12 x 12 but I am running low on black, white, navy and red. I’m having a really hard time finding 12 x 12 cardstock to replace the Bazzill. Thank you so much for doing all the testing and sharing your results.
I have some Rubber Stampede twenty year old white embossing powder that I took out today because I have had NO luck with Wow's white. It rocked and Wow never fills in the white. So frustrating. Thanks for the tips on cardstock.
Kristina I have Neenah Classic Crest Epic Black and its 130lbs! Its FABULOUS! Thanks for doing this video. I wonder how Neenahs CC would do next to Hero Arts🤔
These are the types of videos that are so useful and fascinating especially since you're seeing the results along with us! Just makes it so personal and real! Thank you!!
…also, I wonder if Gina K has since created a darker black cardstock. I know she loves to use her black cardstock as a [matte] border/frame to her card panels which I do think looks quite sharp. I think having a super rich black would really make everything else stand out. One more thing, I saw another card maker use white ink instead of clear or versa mark, prior to white (super fine) embossing powder and she had really good results.
Great video. Tips I have learned from others and my experiments is the embossing ink makes a difference. Brutus Monroe’s embossing ink gives a crisper even melting of the embossing powders. The antistatic powder can cause bits of powder to move on your cardstock while heating. For tiny words & details use really fine embossing powders. For even melting & less to no warping use a foil lined box or cardboard panel great tip from Ardyth Percy-Robb. I like WOW! Embossing powders antistatic properties in their jars not powder bag needed. Also don’t move heat tool until powder starts melting to prevent powder from becoming stray melted bits I hear Brutus Monroe’s antistatic powder refillable bag is better. Haven’t tried it yet.
After watching this video, I went to SSS to order some Hero Arts black card stock. It was back ordered, however, I used SS’s “notify me when back in stock” button. So I placed my order for the amazingly dark black card stock! I have been wondering who offered this card stock and here is your videos! Thank you, you rock!
Great video, thank you! Since you use a lot of Neenah, I wondered if their black was eliminated on purpose or if you just didn’t happen to have any. I’ve used their black successfully but will definitely buy the Hero Arts and compare.
Hello. So I know this is an “older” video. I read theough all the comments and nobody asked about warping. Did any of the tested cardstocks warp more or less? Thank you for all you DID discover and share! ❤️
Loved the video! I have been struggling to get a clear embossed image on black. I am currently stamping with Hero Hues Unicorn Pigment Ink (which is white) and then embossing with Lawn Fawn White embossing powder. I found that sometimes just using the Versamark clear ink doesn’t give you a super white embossed image. I am using my Misti Tool and and embossing buddy to destatic the paper. I get annoyed by those stray crystals of embossing powder around the words. So once I sprinkle the embossing powder on, I take a very fine paintbrush and try to dust them off. I also use a fine metal pick for die cuts to get those stray pieces out because once you heat them they are there to stay. Another problem I have noticed in reinking, especially with this thick white ink pad - is that if you don’t clean the stamp off in between images the ink embeds into the words and you just get a blob on the insides of the letters. So I am using a stamp shammy to wipe off the stamp - and then to get inside the letters I am using a dry mascara brush to lightly brush into the letters to get any extra ink off. Then re-ink the stamp. It is tedious going to all these steps, but if I don’t I just get a muddy embossed image. Thanks for your video and the color samples. Paper, ink, and embossing powder choices really matter. Usually I do a trial run and experiment before my project.
This was a very good and interesting experiment. The only thing I wish you had done towards the end is to use a microfiber cloth to clean off the anti static powder so we could see the way the different black cardstocks would look as well as the white embossing when they’re cleaned (which is what we’d do anyway). :-)
Your video was helpful to know that there are ways to improve our embossing skills (especially on black cardstock) but that minor "spots" may be inevitable. Thank you for sharing your tips!
Good review. Thanks for taking the time to do this. The results are kind of surprising! I’m amazed at the difference in the color black between the companies.
This is so helpful...I always thought the mottled look was me...now I know what factors to consider, if a smooth, solid look is what I prefer. Thank you! 💛💛💛 One thing I have tried on wider fonts (like the Altenew Stamp in your video trial) is to go over the mottled areas with an embossing pen and sprinkle on more embossing powder and reheat...this will do the trick! But you really can’t use this method on fine line or tiny fonts.
Enjoyed your video very much. My white heat embossing seldom comes out like I wish it would and I end up not using because it just doesn't look good! Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for those great tips. I must have hero arts black cardstock because I've been searching for a really deep black for years now!Thanks for sharing this video ♥️😊
I haven't had good experiences with cardstock from big box stores unless they are the brands I mentioned (I think Bazzill has some products in JoAnn stores, but I don't know about the Card Shoppe line of cardstocks specifically).
I get the higher quality for black because I found the others aren’t deep, dark black. (I was surprised by the color differences shown in the video!) I buy the lesser quality in other colors that I use for matting.
@@kwernerdesign JoAnn's does sell Card Shoppe, I believe in both 8.5x11" & 12x12". At least at the stores I've been to here in Texas do. I would think they would elsewhere, too. Also, every once in a while, they have a great sale, like 10 sheets for $2! I've also happened sometimes to have a 20% off coupon on top of that, which came out to something like 16 cents per sheet--bonus! :) Always nice when they practically pay you to buy their cardstock! LOL
@thriftycraftermale Michael's Recollections 110 lb. white cardstock is good for card bases. Very comparable to Neenah Solar White. I haven't done a lot of embossing on it though.
I use Hero Arts Unicorn pigment ink instead of a clear watermark ink on black cardstock. I doubt there’s any better coverage of the embossing powder, but the white ink “hides” the boo boos a little better. 🤷🏻♀️ I dunno. Maybe it’s just me?
Also, I just buy cheap knee high tights on sale at the drug store, add some corn starch and knot it up good and that’s my powder bag. Two for the price of one. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m CHEAP! 😂
I’ve had really good results with the Brutus Monroe magic powder bag. Not only is it better for you, it seems to me to have much better results at avoiding all those little specks.
Thanks so much for such a practical video! These kinds of videos help novice card makers like me save so much time and money. I’ve been wondering about the best black ink for stamping crisp sentiments too- maybe one day you’ll do that for us too. Love all your videos!
I was having trouble with black paper using white embossing and discovered it was the paper. It was a store brand. Once I changed to a name brand the problem disappeared. So I think that can be a factor also. Thanks so much for sharing this video. Very informative.
I have been searching for blackest of black cardstock!!! i also have 2 batches of Bazzil licorice twist,one very black,the other a lighter shade,thankyou,i thought i was mistaken somehow lol.Hero Arts was recommended to me but i havnt been able to get any until now... i intend to stock up asap. Excellent video,i much appreciate your comprehensive comparisons. Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much, Kristina - appreciate your research! I have found that often there is a smoother side to cardstock, which takes both ink and embossing powder better. Will have to check my own black c/s.
This was a great video, especially since it corrected some of the not so great "tips" I've been given. One tip I was told was very lightly brush off your embossing powder before heating to get rid of any extra loose powder anywhere, altho you may have to stamp/emboss again. I was also told start heating from the back but it didn't seem to do as well on your test so I'm changing that & doing your way. Also I love the deep dark rich black color from Hero Arts. Altho my budget is Michael's/Joanne's level like previously mentioned, i think I'll splurge on Hero for Halloween.
Fantastic video ! I didn’t think there could be such a huge difference in the black paper shades. I always spend hours with a very fine brush to clear a maximum of the little bit of powder I don’t want to see... I am wondering if my friends would notice if I stop doing it 🤨🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for all this work and all the information.
Thank you for sharing this comparison. Would you compare other dark colors of card stock - navy, chocolate and red? I use these a lot during the fall and winter holiday season. Thanks!
Thanks so much for this! I have left several black card stocks behind because of the melting into the paper. I use Bazzill now, but like you said, mine is rich black from an older pack. I’m going to try out SSS card stock now.
So 2 things came to mind. One, I’d like to see the friends stamp stamped I’m a colored ink to see if there is pitting there as well. Second, I kept thinking of flouring a cake pan and how you flip the pan around and pat on different sides and wondering if the same thing would apply here to fill on the pits. I’ve never thought of that before but I think it’s worth a try.
