Tips for Embossing Paste

If you love mixed media and adding texture to your handmade cards, then embossing paste is a must-have in your crafting stash (and you’ll need these tips for embossing paste😉)!

Whether you’re new to it or have dabbled a bit before, today I’m sharing some of my top tips for embossing paste to help you get the best results every time.

This post is a follow-up to my recent discussions on dry embossing paste and why texture is a game changer for handmade cards. If you haven’t checked those out yet, be sure to give them a read for even more inspiration!

Let’s get into some practical tips to help you achieve the best results every time!

5 Tips for Perfect Results!

1. Seal Your Jars Tightly

Embossing paste dries quickly (sometimes too quickly)! To keep it fresh, don’t discard the foil liner from the jar and make sure it’s on top before you screw the lid back on. Alternatively, stretch a piece of plastic wrap over the jar opening before sealing the lid. These will both help prevent air from creeping in and drying it out.

2. Clean Your Stencils & Tools Immediately

Once embossing paste dries, it’s nearly impossible to remove. Have a container of warm water ready to drop your tools into right after you use them.

3. Mix in Colour to Coordinate Perfectly

Want to match your paste to your project? Add a tiny bit of ink refill (or even a smidge of acrylic paint) to create your own custom shades. Be sure to mix well on a silicone craft mat with your palette knife.

4. Use Less Than You Think

A little paste goes a long way! If you apply too much, it can seep under your stencil. A thin, even layer gives the best results. Be sure to scrape it off like I show in the video.

5. Layer On Other Techniques

Embossing paste plays well with others! Try a few of these ideas to get even more cool effects:

Sprinkle glitter onto wet paste for a touch of sparkle.
Lightly brush over dried paste with ink for a distressed look.
Mix in shimmer paint for an iridescent effect.

See these hints in action!

How to Make This Idea Your Own

If you’re new to embossing paste, start simple! Use a small stencil pattern on a card front (like I did in the example) and experiment with different textures.

Love bold designs? Layer multiple paste colours or create ombré effects for a stunning background. Here are a few ways to take it even further:

For a soft and elegant look – Use white paste on white cardstock and highlight with pearl shimmer spray.
For a bold, graphic card – Try a dark paste over a brightly coloured background.
For mixed media lovers – Add paste to a journal page, then layer with stamps and die-cuts.

The possibilities are endless! The more you play, the more ideas you’ll come up with!

More Crafting Tips Await!

Have you tried embossing paste before? What’s your favourite way to use it? Drop a comment below and let me know!

Click here to leave a comment.

If you love little tricks like these, be sure to check out my entire JO-Tips video series! These bite-sized tutorials are packed with handy hints to make your paper crafting easier and more fun. There’s 91 more than this one on tips for embossing paste one you gotta see!