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What is your go-to white ink/embossing powder combo?
I currently use HERO HUES “unicorn” pigment ink and Brutus Monroe Alabaster Ultra Fine Embossing Powder. If what I am embossing is very fine, I have reasonable luck with this combo. However, when I am attempting sentiment strips with a font that has any thickness, I’m not getting good results.
I have tried the Unicorn with clear EP (terrible!), Versamark with the Alabaster (not great).
If it's a heavier font, maybe the fine powder is too fine? Perhaps a regular grain of embossing powder would work better? I have used Versamark with Gina K white embossing powder and haven't had any problems. I think I have also used the Unicorn White with the Gina K white EP and worked well. Are the ink pads juicy enough and getting good coverage? With Versamark, I tend to stamp it on at least a couple of times to make sure it is wet and sticky enough to hold the powder.
@KathyCich - yes, inkpads are juicy and I do stamp 2-3 times to be sure. I will look into the GinaK EP as there are some other things I want to order from her. Thank you!
It is definitely several years old. Not as old as some of my others, that do seem to work decently, but old. I’m thinking there may be some “contamination” at play, too, as I’m sure when you tap the excess back in, you are likely getting some unwanted little something somethings sneaking along for the ride.
Do you shake your embossing powder before you use it? I do. This is esp needed with mixed colored ones but I find it helps with all of them. Kinds of breaks up any chunks from moisture or whatever.
Until you decide on new kind, you could try double embossing too esp if you are using a platform for good alignment.
__________________ Margot
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I typically stamp with VersaMark, then emboss with Gina K's detail white embossing powder. I rarely use pigment ink to emboss due to its thickness on the stamp lines. It's probably just fine for a thick font, just not the fine lines for me.
In recent years I have determined that certain of my photopolymer sentiment stamps just are not the best for getting a crisp image for embossing. In those cases, I've tried to use a rubber stamp instead, but like everyone else, a LOT of my stamps are photopolymer. I will admit that when I've 'had it' with putting yet another effort into the trash, I move on to a totally different stamp for a fresh start.
One more thought .... it's pretty humid here. 70-75%+ happens way more than anyone likes. I've often wondered if that impacts the stray bits of ep on the cardstock, even though I always use an embossing powder tool. hmmm ...
It is definitely several years old. Not as old as some of my others, that do seem to work decently, but old. I’m thinking there may be some “contamination” at play, too, as I’m sure when you tap the excess back in, you are likely getting some unwanted little something somethings sneaking along for the ride.
If I'm in a rush, I use solely Hero Arts Unicorn White. With more time or if detail is incredibly important, I've had really good success with Versamark and Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail Embossing powder.
Good luck!
__________________ Hugs & blessings, ~Chrissy
Jeremiah 29:11 Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni | Proud FanClub member since 2017
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Also, be careful of your pressure on the stamp. In wanting to make sure it gives a good impression, you might be pushing too hard on it. Many teachers recommend a light touch for doing slim sentiments, like just using the tips of your fingers. Especially on a stamping platform it is easy to press hard.
__________________ Jo AnnMy SCS gallery / my blogThe cure for everything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea~Isak Dinesen FS 776
I do them with versamark because I want to see the coverage of the powder without the handicap of using colored ink....and I do the white on black paper. I do a one inch strip across my 2 x 2 sample piece. (aka half the piece) because that way I know it should be good for silhouette stamps.
Using a good healthy versamark level by pressing the paper to the pad...though not a crisp line-
I see good solid coverage with (for smooth bright whites vs textures or off whites)
WOW regular bright white
Hero super fine white
Hero regular white
Brutus alabaster
The very brightest whites to me are the Hero super fine and the BM alabaster
Let's break this down since in theory this should be working. If you stamp with just the white ink, are you getting a good image? I suspect you might have the same problem with the thin fonts too, it just does not show as much?
If yes, then the fail is in the marriage of the ink and powder.
Could you try testing it with versamark and let us know what happens? I might try it double stamping the ink too just for comparison. This will let us know how viable your powder is.
Also, I might try using a different color powder on the white ink-if it is not holding the powder well that should be super obvious. Like a red or blue. Despite being a pigment, it just may not work well with any powder.
I am assuming since this a clear stamp you scrubbed it well a micro cloth to get factory junk off it.
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
What is your go-to white ink/embossing powder combo?
