Student Embossing Resources

STUDENT RESOURCES

This page shares information to extend on what we covered during our workshop.

I buy most of my art supplies online, from several different sources depending on who is having a sale, and what I need in my order. I look for overall value in the pricing of the item, delivery cost and quality of service when ordering.

I encourage you to shop around for different pricing and the possibility of online sales from other retailers.

Please let me know if you source from a different supplier so I can share it with other students.

Bookmark this page in your browser so you can keep referring back to it.

Didn’t leave your FEEDBACK? Click here 🙂

I’ve categorised the information below. Each link will open in a new window, so you won’t lose this page.

Bookmark this page in your browser so you can keep referring back to it.

And please let me know if you think I’ve left anything out! 🙂

The information below:

PAPER

The paper we embossed and debossed into was a mix of:

  • postcards – greeting card cut in half from Envelope Solutions
  • envelopes – 120gsm Knight Smooth Cream
  • 200gsm acid free cartridge paper – for proofing
  • Canson Montval 200gsm watercolour paper
  • Fabriano Rosaspina printmaking paper 285gsm; or
  • Hosho paper  approx 80gsm

I buy paper from various sources, and below are some of them:

If you have any questions about paper, please let me know. Most online art stores hold annual paper sales. Melbourne Etching Supplies has a big paper sale twice a year, with pricing up to 40% off. Most art stores will sell printmaking papers instore, where you can see the papers, the colours and textures.

I wrote a 4-part blog post series wrote about printmaking paper you might be interested in:

HAND EMBOSSING TOOLS

Hand embossing is soooo easy. Having a range of different sized embossing styluses makes it easy, but improvise if you don’t have one on hand. This is the blue handled stylus set we used during our workshop:

PRINTING PRESSES

There are several different options for printing presses – and a huge range in price and quality.

Many art stores sell presses across a wide price range. Here are some places to start your research:

If you do want to buy an etching presss, my recommendation is to buy one with as big a press bed as you can afford. The press bed being the base plate that you put your plate and paper on to roll through the press.

It is possible to buy small ‘craft printers’, made for embossing and die-cutting. There are several options on the market (ranging in price from $200-$500, some available in Australia, others from overseas). You will see a Facebook group link below dedicated to using this sort of press. Do some research to see what other people are using. Craft Online, an Australian craft supply shop, sell several different sorts – www.craftonline.com.au/pages/craft-machines

Sally Hirst has written a few blog articles comparing different craft printers. 

This is a Facebook group dedicated to printmakers using these craft presses. Check it out for suggestions on which machines are good options.

PUBLIC ACCESS STUDIOS & PRINTMAKING GROUPS

Having your own printmaking press and studio at home is a wonderful luxury, and not everyone has the spaces or resources for that. The next best thing is joining a Printmaking Group … meet and hang out with link-minded printmaking enthusiasts and (in most cases) gain access to shared printmaking studio equipment. Below are a few groups and public access studios in South-East Queensland.

Printmaking Groups with studio access presses

The Studio (that’s my place 🙂 )

I don’t open my studio for on-demand-public-access, but I do run weekly classes on a term basis aligning with the school holidays. Classes run on Friday mornings, 9am-1pm. You can book into a term or come on a casual class basis. If you are interested, click here for more information.

STENCILS AND EMBOSSING PLATES

You can buy stencils from all sorts of places – art stores, crafting suppliers, scrapbooking shops. Below are two places to start, but hunt around for different stencil images and pricing:

But don’t forget you can make your own stencils. Cutting them may take time, but once cut, with care, they can last a very long time. Experiment with different materials to make them – heavy-weight paper, thick and thin cardboard, acetate sheets, x-rays.

Then you have the option of botanicals and found objects and carved linocut plates – so many options and opportunities.

And if you’re keen in cutting your own stencils with a machine, you can look at investing in a Cricut. There are a few different machines available, ranging in price from $300-$700. I used a Cricut machine to help me cut the stencils for my black cockatoo ‘Sky Dancers’ embossed series.

SOCIAL MEDIA

This is the Facebook group all about the little craft printers. Started by Colin Blanchard using the X-Cut Xpress, it now encompasses any work (and questions) relating to using a ‘craft printer’ as a press – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544918272204523

Embossed papers are very difficult to photograph well. Beyond the embossing with craft presses and commercially produced embossing plates, its hard to find online image reference.

If you are an Instagram user, search for and/or follow these hashtags for different ideas and inspiration.

  • #embossingonpaper
  • #blindembossing
  • #embossedprint

Below is the link to my Pinterest Embossing board – use that as a leap off the edge of a glorious rabbit hole:

OTHER EMBOSSING ARTISTS TO CHECK OUT

I love to introduce students to other artists to explore and enjoy, but with embossing its a bit tricky to find them given its a difficult online visual medium to share. Below are a few artists who incorporate embossing into their printed (and other) artworks. If you come across new people, please let me know and I can add them to the list for others to enjoy too.

Artist: Fiona Dempster
Website: fionadempster.com and decklededgepress.com and paperponderings.blogspot.com
Location: Maleny, Australia

Artist: Susan Bowers
Website: trace-marks.blogspot.com
Location: Sunshine Coast

Artist: Susan Davies
Website: instagram.com/susandaviesprints
Location: UK

Artist: Mathias Muleme
Website: mathiasmuleme.com
Location: Canada

Artist: Dorothy Hannah
Website: dorothyhanna.co.uk
Location: UK

Artist: Lou Thompson
Website: wildcoast.co.uk
Location: UK

Artist: Ashleigh Hutchingson
Website: ashleafprintmaking.co.uk
Location: UK

Artist: Aftyn Shah 
Website: riseandwander.com
Location: USA

Artist: Kate Hudson
Website: www.katehudsonprintmaker.com
Location: Australia

Artist: Su France
Website: www.sufrancedesigns.com
Location: UK

GOLD LEAF

We really only just touched on gold leafing. If you want to know more, search online for blog posts and tutorials for the process.

You can buy the imitation gold leaf at most online and in-person art stores.

If you want to real leaf, do some online research to find the best price and availability for what you are wanting.

I buy from The Gold Leaf Factory. If you visit their site you’ll see other metal embellishment options. Liquid and ink … oh the possibilities !!

This link will take you to an ABC Conversations Hour chat with Dominic Riley, a bookbinder from the UK. It runs for about 50 minutes, and in there he talks about some formal training in the handling and use of gold leaf.

LETS GO SHOPPING 🙂

Below are links to different online stores where I buy etching supplies and equipment form:

I have created a private Facebook group ONLY for people who have attended my workshops. The idea is you can ask me questions, we share work, and I’ll share resources and information. Click the button below to join the conversation  …

Forgot to leave your FEEDBACK? Click here 🙂
JOIN Inky Fingers ON FACEBOOK
0