Stamping and Embossing after Shrinking
Shrinking before you stamp lets you use your stamps on PolyShrink without reducing the size of the stamped image. Use your stamps, at their full size, to make a pair of earrings, a pin, or a decorative element for collage.
Clear PolyShrink
Translucent PolyShrink
Number of Layers: 1
Dimensions: Variable- approx. 3/4 to 1 inch wide,1 to 1 3/4 inches tall
Stamp Credits: Impress Me
Art Materials:
- PolyShrink™- all types
- Heat setting ink: Colorbox Crafter's or Fabrico
- Embossing Powders
Additional Instructions Needed:
The PolyShrink General Instruction sheet. Don't have them?
Click Here
Canvas White PolyShrink
Before Starting:
Please refer to the
PolyShrink General Instructions
for directions on making and using a PolyShrink Ruler
Once you have a PolyShrink Ruler made from the same type of PolyShrink that you'd like to use:
Using the shrunk ruler, measure the stamp you'll be using for both width and height. Decide how much border (if any) you'd like around the outside of the design.
Cut the PolyShrink to the measurements you've decided on, but this time use a standard ruler to measure. Your cut pieces will shrink down to be just the right size for your stamp!
You can cut the pieces to size using decorative scissors. You can also round the corners using scissors or a corner rounder or decorative corner punch.
There are lots of options for coloring your pieces before shrinking. Please see the directions below for the coloring techniques used for the different types of PolyShrink shown on this page.
Tips:
Make test samples
When coloring your
pieces, make an extra piece colored the same way for testing
different colors and finishes of embossing powder, as well as
tests for using different colors of ink.
Stamping
Use heat setting ink rather
than embossing ink or embossing fluid for stamping., since they
do not adhere well to PolyShrink,
When you stamp, you'll be hand registering the image and sometimes the image won't be stamped exactly where you'd like it to be. If this happens, quickly rinse the ink from the surface, dry the piece, and stamp again.
After Embossing
If you'd like the corners
a bit more rounded, or a little less border around the image,
use sandpaper to shape the piece. Sheet sandpaper is preferred
over sanding blocks. Put the sandpaper sheet on a hard surface
and hold the PolyShrink in your hand and move it across the sandpaper
to do the finish shaping.
Coloring Methods:
Clear PolyShrink (pictured above)
Sand both sides of the sheet, then apply colored pencil in 3 colors on one side. After shrinking, stamp and emboss on the other side. Note that the finish will look matte on the front because it's been sanded. The original clarity can be restored by applying a coat of spray sealer. The sealer will make the color on the back side show through more clearly.
Translucent and Canvas White PolyShrink (pictured above)
Rubbed with chalk pastels before shrinking.
Black PolyShrink (pictured at right)
No coloring before shrinking
 Black PolyShrink |
Copyright © 2001 Lucky Squirrel