Creative Uses of Embossing Folders

Hello! I have noticed that more companies are coming out with embossing folders with amazing 3D effects. So I thought I would pull together a video sharing ways to use any embossing folder creatively.

[All supplies are linked in the text below and in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.]

All of my examples show unique ways to use embossing folders. I also share many different card designs uses die cut frames.

Note: The 3D embossing folders require a different sandwich than the regular embossing folders. Please check with your machine’s instructions to figure out what is best. But it is simple!

My first example features the lovely Sizzix Flower Heart Doodle 3D Embossing Folder. Inside the folder, I inked the flat raised side with Hero Arts Soft Vanilla Ink and added a piece of white cardstock. After running it through my die cut machine, I end up with a textured piece… with yellow in the background and white raised flowers. So elegant! I then used the My Favorite Things Elegant Rectangle Dies to make five frame die cuts… and stacked them together to form a dimensional frame.

I used the same embossing folder to emboss white cardstock for the background and lined up the patterns of the two on the front of a notecard. I added stacked Pretty Pink Posh Hello Friend die cuts and a small Simon Says Stamp Vacation Time “missing you” sentiment strip.

For my next example, I used the new-and-oh-so-pretty Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder. I added Hero Arts Soft Pool Ink into the folder before running the paper through. After, I lightly added Broken China Distress Oxide Ink with a Mini Ink Blending Tool to the raised flowers. I really like this two-tone look.

I created the three-stitched-row frame with the Reverse Confetti Stitched Squares (SSS | RC) and added the floral piece to the center. The stacked “friend” die cuts are also from the Pretty Pink Posh Hello Friend Dies… and the “thinking of you” is from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 1 Stamp Set.

Here is similar card… except this time I added yellow ink to the raised areas… and turned the square frame to be a diamond.

Here is another example showing the look you can get by adding ink to raised areas of an embossed piece. After using the Tim Holtz Lumber 3D Embossing Folder with kraft cardstock, I applied Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink with a Mini Ink Blending Tool for color and definition.

The background is cut with the Kat Scrappiness Diamond Wire Die – so unique!

The white frame piece has five stacked Memory Box Riverbank Oval die cuts… and the sentiment features the Birch Press Hello Sugar Script Die and Hero Arts Support Prayers Love Stamp Set.

You can also use products with your embossing folders to create shimmer, etc. For my next card, I used the Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder with Hero Arts Soft Pool Ink inside. I then lightly applied Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pen to the raised areas for subtle shimmer… and created a dimensional frame with the My Favorite Things Elegant Rectangle Dies.

For the background, I added a Lawn Fawn Itsy Bitsy Polka Dot Die die cut. What a great die!

The sentiment is from the Pretty Pink Posh Love You Dies.

For my few next cards, I added shimmer with pigment powders. I first created a piece with Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder and Hero Arts Soft Vanilla Ink. I then lightly rubbed a Versmark Ink pad on the raised flowers and dusted on Perfect Pearls. This adds shimmer to the flowers.

I created a small frame for this card with the Reverse Confetti Stitched Squares (SSS | RC) and added a sentiment from the Janes Doodles All Occasions Stamp Set.

I again used Perfect Pearls on my next two cards, but added it to the background instead of the raised flowers. I first added Versmark Ink pad to the inside of a Sizzix Floral Blossom 3D Embossing Folder. (This one will be back in stock next week!) After running blue cardstock through the folder, I dusted on Perfect Pearls. The shimmer is so pretty!

This cool frame is my new favorite… it is from the My Favorite Things Linked Octagon Frame Dies (SSS | MFT). Isn’t it fun!?

The “hello friend” is from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 1 Stamp Set. I use that set a lot!

Here is another card done with the same Perfect Pearls technique but with white cardstock. The results are simple yet elegant. I used the Pretty Pink Posh Hello Shaker Die and a Lawn Fawn Itsy Bitsy Polka Dot Die background.

The photo doesn’t really capture the shimmer on this one, but it is there! And I added one silver glitter die cut to the top of my stacked frame.

You can also add heat embossing to your embossed backgrounds. Here, I used the Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder with Gina K Sea Glass Dye Ink. After running it through, I lightly added VersaMark Ink to the raised areas. Finally, I shook on Hero Arts White Satin Pearl Embossing Powder and heat set it. This results in pearly-shine on the flowers. I also used the embossing powder on my My Favorite Things Elegant Rectangle frame and Mama Elephant Hello Script die cut.

Here you can see the pearly shine. The stamped sentiment is from the Simon Says Stamp Big Thanks Words Stamp Set.

You can also use these techniques with regular embossing folders. For this card, I used the Couture Creations Bohemian Bazaar Embossing Folder with Gina K Sea Glass Dye Ink inside. I then directly added Gina K Applemint Ink to the raised areas for a two-tone-textured look.

This card again features the fun Avery Elle Oval Burst Die and Birch Press Hello Sugar Script Die sentiment.

I also like to use embossing folders with specialty cardstocks. This card features silver cardstock, the Tim Holtz 3D Mechanics Embossing Folder, Simon Says Stamp Dude Dies, Avery Elle Oval Burst Die, and Simon Says Stamp CZ Emphatic Stamp Set.

This looks like real, textured metal!

And I have one last card. This was a bonus card… just showing how you can use a frame on top of an embossed background. This features the Sizzix Floral Blossom 3D Embossing Folder and Pretty Pink Posh Hello Shaker Die.

RELATED INFO

Here are a couple more embossing folder idea videos:

You can also find more embossing folder products HERE, including regular and 3D.

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.

Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder
[ SSS ]
Sizzix Textured Impressions Flower…
[ SSS ]
Sizzix Textured Impressions Floral…
[ SSS ]
*Tim Holtz Lumber 3D Embossing Folder
[ SSS ]
*Tim Holtz 3D Mechanics Embossing Folder
[ SSS ]
Couture Creations Bohemian Bazaar…
[ SSS ]
*My Favorite Things Elegant Rectangle…
[ SSS ]
*My Favorite Things Linked Octagon…
[ SSS | MFT ]
*Lawn Fawn Itsy Bitsy Polka Dot Die
[ SSS ]
*Kat Scrappiness Diamond Wire Die
[ KATS ]
*Avery Elle Oval Burst Die
[ SSS ]
*Memory Box Riverbank Oval Die
[ SSS ]
Reverse Confetti Stitched Squares Dies
[ SSS | RVR ]
Pretty Pink Posh Hello Shaker Die
[ SSS ]
Mama Elephant Hello Script Die
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp Dude Dies
[ SSS ]
*Pretty Pink Posh Hello Friend Die
[ SSS ]
Pretty Pink Posh Love You Dies
[ SSS ]
Birch Press Hello Sugar Script Die
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp Big Thanks Words…
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp Vacation Time Stamp…
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 1…
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp CZ Emphatic Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
*Hero Arts Support Prayers Love Stamp…
[ SSS ]
Janes Doodles All Occasions Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ SSS ]
MISTI Creative Corners
[ SSS ]
MISTI Mouse Pad Insert
[ SSS ]
MISTI Bar Magnet
[ SSS ]
* Tim Holtz Tonic Glass Media Mat
[ SSS ]
Gina K Connect Glue
[ SSS ]
Sizzix Big Shot Express
[ SSS ]
Therm O Web Purple Tape
[ SSS ]
Anti Static Powder Bag
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Heat Gun
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts White Satin Pearl Embossing…
[ SSS ]
Mini Ink Blending Tool
[ SSS ]
Broken China Distress Oxide Ink
[ SSS ]
Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Soft Pool Ink
[ SSS ]
Gina K Applemint Ink
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Soft Vanilla Ink
[ SSS ]
Gina K Sea Glass Dye Ink
[ SSS ]
VersaMark Ink
[ SSS ]
Perfect Pearls
[ SSS ]
Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pens
[ SSS ]
My Favorite Things Brushed Silver…
[ MFT ]


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83 thoughts on “Creative Uses of Embossing Folders”

  1. I have several embossing folders that I’m never to sure what to do with them. Your ideas were FABULOUS!!! I love them all and you have truly inspired me. This is by far one of my favorite videos of yours. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent.

  2. Apologies but I am a bit confused about what side of the embossing folder is the raised flat side, is it the emboss side or the deboss side?

  3. Thank you for this video. I really had not thought to use embossing folders to create a focal piece; I’ve always used them as backgrounds or mats. Your cards are lovely.

  4. Well Jennifer, just realizing that I stalk your posts and seldom leave a comment. I hope that my use of your links makes up somewhat for that omission. I am a staunch fan of your work and totally love everything that you do. And like so many, am in awe of your amazing and prolific talent. Today’s post is an example of why I am always back for tomorrow’s feast…
    Lura

  5. OMG, Jennifer what a great bunch of gorgeous cards you made with the embossingfolders. Stunning ideas with those folders. Thank you for all your time and effort.

  6. Beautiful cards and awesome video! I am so glad you focused on embossing folders. People don’t seem to be using them as much any more but I still use mine regularly. Your techniques will enable me to take it up a notch! Love what you’ve done here! It’s so nice to see you mixing up various products too! Thank you for your video! Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

  7. Jennifer, wow what wonderful cards! I so look forward to your videos they are so inspiring. I can’t wait to try this technique and I love seeing the new and different products you use. thanks!

  8. Hi Jennifer- I have seen you use that flat plastic scoop to use with embossing powder over and over, but I have no idea what it is or where to get one. Do you mind sharing what it is- it’s so clever!! Thank you, Christine ;0)

  9. Is there a reason you are stacking the paper die-cuts instead of adhering the card stock to fun foam and then die cutting? I know you’ve shown that in the past, but wondered why you changed methods.

  10. Hi Jennifer, I live in England and have only recently started card making. I am totally hooked and am so inspired by your videos and amazed at the multitude of techniques you have. Thanks so much for sharing them.

  11. These are all so beautiful and creative! I love the layering of the die cuts and the texture and all of the different treatments you used on them Gorgeous!

  12. Jennifer,
    I really like how you used the embossing folders especially with the “Letter press” technique. It really makes the embossing stand out and I can’t believe that Botanical embossing folder from Tim Holtz is so beautiful. Also the My Favorite Things Oval Burst die adds so much to the cards. I never thought about embossing the envelope flap before and that really makes it outstanding. Thank you.

  13. I loved the video but when I tried the one with the Versamark and perfect pearls, I found that it did not ink the entire background which was quite evident when I added the perfect pearls. I tried this several times and got the same results. I even ran it through twice. What am I doing wrong? This did not occur with the shadow ink background.

  14. Hi Jennifer – loved your video showing techniques. What is the name of the adhesive you spray onto these> Could not find it in your materials you used. Thanks

  15. Hi Jennifer

    thank you for the great videos and ideas, I tried the versamark and embossing folders, but how do I get the tacky versamark off my embossing folder, I tried soap and water, but it is still tacky. any suggestions??

  16. All your cards are so beautiful.
    I like them so much.
    Many thanks for your inspiration and sharing.
    What kind of white cardstock for the embossing folder in your video?
    Your kindly answer will be a great help and appreciated.
    Thank you again.
    Joy Huang

  17. I have just watched your YouTube video about Reverse Die Impressions. What a fabulous idea. I would never have thought to use them as background items as well as foreground. Will be trying this out as soon as I can especially with some Christmas dies that I have. Thanks for sharing.

  18. This is one of my favorite card set. So beautiful for any special occasion. I come back to it again and again for inspiration.

  19. I’m new at embossing and have been playing around. Just wondering if it is possible to successfully use a dry not inked embossing folder on cardstock that has been heat embossed with clear or white embossing powder. Would it just become a mess with the heat embossing destroyed or would I end up with both patterns comlimenting each other? Thanks for your help.

  20. You say you stacked your frames and sentiments. How many are stacked and how did you then together? Your are beautiful! Never thought about stacking the die cuts. Great idea! Really makes it pop! Thanks a bunch for sharing. Pat

  21. Fabulous ideas for embossing cards! Thank you Jennifer.
    What is the flat triangular ‘spoon’ that you use to sprinkle embossing powder over a stamped card?. It looks so much better than a plastic spoon

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