How to Emboss (No tools needed!)

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Embossing is a fun and creative way to add unique textures and looks to your paper crafts. Learn the basics of how to emboss here.

If you love paper crafting as much as we do, here are a few projects you’ll love – Paper Treat Boxes, Cereal Box Purse, and No-Sew Paper Garland.

embossed notepads in rainbow colors

How to Emboss

Those who know me know that I have an obsession with stationery. There’s just something so fun about a new pad of paper or cute note cards!

Recently while making some Scrap Paper Notepads, I decided to personalize them with some simple shapes and monograms. The watermark on each pad turned out even better than I thought it would, and I didn’t need any fancy tools!

These embossed pads are going to make great gifts for coworkers, neighbors, and friends. They’re simple to make, and affordable, too!

What is Embossing?

Embossing is a technique that makes a raised three-dimensional image on paper. There are two common embossing methods:

  • Heat Embossing uses a heat gun, embossing ink, and rubber stamps to melt the embossing powder.
  • Dry Embossing uses a stencil and a stylus. This is the method we’re using today because it’s easier and more affordable!

Creating personalized stationery and invitations is definitely easier than you think! Here’s a tutorial with 3 different ways to dry emboss. These methods are easy, fun, and can be done in just minutes!

rubbing a piece of paper with a crochet hook

Dry Embossing Option 1

MATERIALS NEEDED –

  • card or pad of paper
  • stencil
  • crochet hook
  • piece of paper

DIRECTIONS –

Place your stencil upside down on a hard surface. Put your card face-down on top of the stencil, making sure the design you want to emboss is in the right position of your card. Place a sheet of paper over your card and then use your crochet hook to gently rub over the design in your stencil.

embossed red notepad with a letter S

Dry Embossing Option 2

MATERIALS NEEDED –

  • card or notepad
  • wood letter or shape
  • bone folder or other smooth, hard rubbing object
  • piece of scrap paper
green notepad with a wood letter L getting ready to be embossed

DIRECTIONS –

Place your wood letter right-side up on a hard surface, then cover it with your card or stationery pad cover.

embossing a green notepad

Place a piece of paper on top of your card, then rub the design with your bone folder.

green notepad with a letter L on the front

Dry Embossing Option 3

MATERIALS NEEDED –

  • cardboard box
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • card or paper notepad
  • bone folder or other smooth, hard rubbing object
  • piece of paper
cutting out a cardboard heart stencil

DIRECTIONS –

Draw your desired shape onto a piece of cardboard, then cut it out.

stack of cardboard hearts on a notepad

You’ll need your design to be thick enough to feel when it’s under your card or stationery. If your cardboard is thin, cut out multiple shapes that can stack on top of each other.

rubbing a piece of paper to emboss it

Place your cardboard design face-up on a hard surface, then cover it with your card or stationery pad cover. Place a piece of paper on top of your card, then rub the design with your bone folder.

finished embossed notepads

… and that’s it!

collage of images showing how to emboss

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11 Comments

  1. Whoa! LOVE IT! (but more than just "I love that" pretend I sang "love it" in a high funny opera voice!)

  2. ugh! love this! i had NO idea embossing could even be done at home! these would make great gifts. i can't wait to try this… thanks for the tutorial!

  3. I've enjoyed embossing since we lived in Japan, they had a ton of supplies here and I use them every year on my Christmas cards! It is SOOO much fun to play with!

  4. I love embossing! It is such a simple way to dress up any paper project. Great tutorial!

  5. I have always wondered how to emboss. I love how it looks. Just might have to go and get me some supplies now! Thanks so much!

  6. I just became your follower just yesterday and I’ve already found so many fun ideas! Thanks so much!