Velvet Embossing: Basic Instructions to Print

You Will Need:

• Iron (with Teflon iron shoe/cover, if possible). 
• Velvet
• Water misting/spritzing bottle
• Stamp backed with mounting cushion at least 1/8” thick, no mounting block needed.
• Iron-safe surface

Be sure to do some test swatches for each type of velvet you use so you can vary spritzing, iron temperature, etc.

Steps:

• Heat iron to the cotton or wool setting.  NO STEAM.  To be safe, empty any water out of the iron.
• Dampen the stamp and velvet by:
  • Lightly spritzing the stamp itself. 
  • Place the stamp, image-side up, on the ironing surface.
  • Place the velvet, pile-side down, over the stamp.
    OR
  • Placing the stamp, image-side up, on the ironing surface.
  • Place the velvet, pile-side down, over the stamp.
  • Lightly and evenly mist the back of the velvet where it covers the stamp.
• Press the iron on the velvet over the area that covers the stamp. Keep the iron flat. 
• Press for 10-20 seconds.
• Pull the iron up, keeping it parallel to the ironing surface.
  • If your velvet sticks to the iron, then the iron setting is too high for the type of velvet you have.  Adjust.
  • If you see any wet spots through the velvet, lightly set the iron down again to dry it out. 
• Once there are no wet spots, carefully lift a corner of the velvet to see how the image took. If you feel it needs longer, carefully lower the velvet back onto the same area of the stamp and press again, perhaps even lightly misting again beforehand.

Embossed velvet can be dry-cleaned.  Do not wash.  Saturation can loosen the pressed fibers and “muddy” or “erase” the images.  That said, I’ve used embossed velvet scarves as my winter scarves and have been impressed by how well they have withstood scrunching, rain and snow for years.  Of course, velvet will look better if not subjected to this treatment.

Copyright 2008, Inklings and Imprints

Details, images and tips: http://www.inklingsandimprints.net

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