Metal Embossing

Metal embossing is the art of creating designs on a metal sheet, by raising or sinking and smoothening the surfaces, to give it a three dimensional look. The hollows or raised portions may be filled with paint or may remain as it is. This is done to make simple wall hangings or as a collection for scrapbooks. It is mainly done as a hobby and one could make money by selling the pieces to people who would like to use them as home décor. Metal embossing as a craft, was used by the ancient Celts and later found its way into Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

 The sheet metals that are generally used for embossing are copper, pewter and aluminium. They come in various thicknesses, with a shiny finish and are available in all the hobby outlets and craft shops. Generally, a craft scissors can be used to cut the sheets, and are very flexible and will dent at the slightest touch. The tools required for metal embossing are very simple. A beginner's kit comes in a set of a few sheets of metal, a stylus tool, a few patterns and instructions.

The stylus is a wooden bulb-shaped to be held like a pen and used to trace the pattern. This rounded tip of the "pen" pushes out the areas on the metal sheet that is out of the pattern. The other tip of the stylus is pointed and is used to create lines. The stylus can be used to write text and emboss alphabets in the sheets. Swirls, dots and other patterns can be done to give a background for the main picture.

Strips of embossed metal that are decorated with accessories or paints can be used as frames for scrapbook photographs. One need to choose the design first and a beginner could do well to choose a simple one. The metal sheet is to be placed on a soft surface like a stack of newspapers or a mouse pad. The design has to be placed on the metal sheet and traced using the stylus, pressing wherever needed.

Once the paper is done with, the stylus has to be moved over the embossed lines to deepen them by pressing down firmly and evenly. Once this is done, turn the metal sheet over so that the raised lines face up. The smoothening of the excess scribbles and creating of finer lines and details can be done at this stage. Use paint to give colors.

Various textures can be added to make it more interesting. Cross-hatching can be done by making small crosses with the tip of the screwdriver to give it a rough finish. As one gets better control of the stylus, more and more intricate designs can be made.