10 Best Heat Embossing Kits For Newbie Crafters In 2023
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Finding the right embossing tools is just a hassle, let alone for newbie crafters who don't know what they should get. This article aims to review the best heat embossing kits that offer options specifically for beginners and covers how to choose them as well.
We also tackled some common questions people have about this art form in our FAQ section, so be sure you check it out before asking us anything!
Our Top Picks
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Most Versatile - Best Overall - Big Dream Heat Embossing Kit• High-quality items included in the kit |
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Best Large Format - Best Powders - Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Embossing Kit• Translucent finish on the embossing glaze |
Best Companion Kit - Pixiss Embossing Heat Gun & Powder Kit• Dual-temperature heat gun |
1. Big Dream Heat Embossing Kit - Best Overall
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What Customers Have To Say
This starter kit is best for many newbies since they only need to buy an embossing heat gun. The colors are fantastic and true to color. They can also use the embossing powders for various crafts. Another crafter said it’s an excellent way because they don’t have to invest in supplies you can’t use later.
Why We Think It’s Great
What we like most about this embossing kit are the embossing powders because it has the essential colors needed for embossing - clear, clear sparkle, white, black, metallic silver, and metallic gold. However, we like it better if they come in superfine. They come in shatter-resistant, transparent jars that contain 15g powders. They are also true to color and don’t have speckles like other regular embossing powders.
The embossing medium pens are tackier than ordinary embossing pens. The pack contains two pens, and one of them has a brush tip. The other one has a bullet tip that fits in Cricut Explore Air. The Ranger Emboss It Embossing Ink Pad stays wet for a reasonable time, so you can transfer your designs and apply embossing powders without rushing into them.
However, the embossing buddy does not meet the quality we were looking for because the material is not very good and releases more powder. On the whole, though, the Big Dream Embossing Kit is excellent.
Who Should Buy It
The Big Dream Heat Embossing Kit is the perfect choice for newbies to emboss because it has all the necessary supplies you need for making fantastic cards, journals, and scrapbooks, except for the heat tool, that is.
2. Stampendous Vintage Embossing Powder Kit
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What Customers Have To Say
The Stampendous Frantage Embossing Kit consists of fantastic embossing powders that leave the crafters wanting for more. They give a unique jeweled effect on vintage-themed cards. Some crafters also swear that these embossing powders give excellent results when added to epoxy resin jewelry.
Why We Think It’s Great
These embossing powders make a different finish than the usual embossing powders because they make a chunkier finish with the mica, crushed glass glitter, and shaved ice glitter in these powders.
Each transparent jar has a metal cover filled with 17 grams of Aged Gold, Aged Silver, Shabby White, Shabby Pink, And Shabby Blue for that vintage effect that it wants to achieve. The finish is somewhat dingy, so this kit is not for you if you want a clean finish. The ‘shabby’ powders have speckles of gold and crusty white crystals. The shabby pink and shabby blue also have darker speckles of pink and blue, respectively.
You may apply the powders with or without embossing ink, but remember to heat from the back of the card to activate the fine embossing powders so that the more textured particles can cling on it.
Who Should Buy It
The Stampendous Frantage Embossing Kit is the best heat embossing kit for crafters who prefer a more textured finish for their projects, especially those who subscribe to powder painting techniques.
3. Ranger Heat Embossing Kit (Powder & Pen)
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What Customers Have To Say
This embossing kit is a game-changer, some users claimed, as the embossing powders are super fine, and the pens give an excellent tack for better adhesion and finish of the embossing powders.
Other crafters are repeat buyers and even decided to give this kit to friends who want to start embossing. It also works excellent with epoxy resin projects, according to another crafter.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Ranger Heat Embossing Kit (Powder & Pen) is an excellent set in replacing your used-up supplies for heat embossing. However, what we love most about this kit are the black and clear embossing pens. Black embossing pens rarely come in kits.
The embossing powders are superfine, packed in a transparent jar with a tight cap, and weighs 14 grams each. The metallic gold, metallic silver, and black embossing powders are essential colors every embosser should have because you can do a lot of magic with them.
Who Should Buy It
The Ranger Heat Embossing Kit is the perfect replacement kit if you want to replenish your supplies of embossing powders and pens. However, you’ll need to buy a heat gun to use this kit.
4. Ranger Heat Embossing Ink Pad and Pen Bundle
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What Customers Have To Say
Crafters find this embossing kit very impressive with the quality of the items included in this kit because it has a good tack. However, they couldn’t find them in craft shops, so their only choice was to shop online.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Perfect Medium pens work on various surfaces and are tackier than other embossing pens because they are a medium, not sticky ink. The pack has clear bullet-tipped and brush-tipped pens.
The Ranger Emboss It embossing ink pad stays wet and tacky for a considerable time after application on your cardstock. The raised foam on the embossing pad allows you to apply ink only on the areas you want. The ink pad itself measures a little more than 3x2 inches and ¾ inch high to accommodate the raised foam.
Both products are non-toxic and acid-free. To maximize this kit’s use, find the best heat gun with a heat-resistant nozzle protector and the correct heat setting.
Who Should Buy It
The Ranger Heat Embossing Ink Pad and Pen Bundle is the perfect embossing kit for crafters who want to buy new supplies for their craft shop.
5. Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Embossing Kit - Best Powders
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What Customers Have To Say
Crafters think that distress embossing glaze powders are a great way to enhance stamped images. One crafter showcased his mountain landscape wall art made with stamps and embossing glaze. He doesn’t even need to paint or finish his artwork with acrylic lacquer since the embossing glaze provides good protection over his piece.
Why We Think It’s Great
Compared with ordinary embossing powders, distress glaze embossing powders are more glossy and a bit more expensive too, but worth it because you don’t need much to emboss your cardstock with it. Although these are distress glaze, you can still use regular embossing inks to add them to your cards.
Another difference between the two types of embossing is that distress embossing glaze has a translucent finish, so it does not cover your stamped images but instead pops them out. They also come in transparent jars with a metal cap to confuse them with regular embossing powders. You can also use it on any surface, including metal.
The colors of the embossing glaze in this kit are Antique Linen, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio, Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber, Hickory Smoke, Peeled Paint, Rusty Hinge, Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Weathered Wood.
The distress embossing ink dabber has a glycerin ink base and is a good choice for adding ink to your cardstock, especially if you don’t have an embossing ink pad. However, remember to store it upside down so the dabber doesn’t get clogged or get dry.
The distress embossing pen is also very juicy and allows you some freedom to add over your cardstock.
Who Should Buy It
If you’re looking for the best heat embossing kit that is far from the usual norm, then the Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Embossing Kit is the perfect choice for you.
It needs more practice to get used to if you’ve used a lot of regular embossing powder, especially since it does not cover up the stamped images under it. Get a good crafting gun when you buy this kit to use it immediately and enjoy its magic.
6. Martha Stewart Crafts Embossing Starter Kit
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What Customers Have To Say
Other crafters were a bit frustrated that the kit does not include a heat gun, as opposed to the package image. Many crafters agree that the rest of the items in the kit lived up to Martha Stewart’s brand of excellence, though.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Martha Stewart Crafts Embossing Kit consists of silicone stamps (butterflies, flowers, a leaf, a tree, a bird, and several sentiments), an ink pad, three embossing powders, and an acrylic block for stamping.
The 3x2-inch ink pad is not the best quality, though you can use a regular reinker to add new tacky ink. The acrylic block measures 2x2 inches and can fit the largest silicone stamp.
Who Should Buy It
We recommend this heat embossing kit to everyone who loves Martha Stewart or wants to try a different brand of embossing supplies than you usually see in the market. You can find a Martha Steward heat gun on her website, or you can choose from the heat guns from online shops or local craft stores.
7. Pixiss Embossing Heat Gun & Powder Kit - Best Companion Kit
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What Customers Have To Say
Those who received this heat embossing kit thought it’s a great help for their crafting projects. What they appreciate most is the dual-temperature setting on the heat gun.
It is very different from the overly heavy heat embossing gun they sometimes find in local craft shops. The price is reasonable also, though some feel that the embossing powders are just freebies, given their small quantities.
Why We Think It’s Great
The heat embossing gun has a dual temperature setting. Use the lower temperature setting (390oF) for heat embossing and the high-temperature (up to 572oF) for other crafts to get the optimum temperature for your DIY projects. It has vents to disperse the heat during the heating process. You can also use it for shrink wrapping on gift baskets.
The body is double insulated so that it can withstand the heat, and the 6-feet long power cord helps you move around your crafting table without needing an additional power outlet. It passed UL certification and has excellent safety features such as a nozzle protector, a built-in stand. It is also very lightweight, making it safe for home use.
The embossing powders are super fine. The jar is transparent, and the cap is black, and each jar holds 4.5 grams. It includes metallic gold, metallic silver, black, and white embossing powders.
Who Should Buy It
It is the best embossing heat gun to complement your embossing kit that doesn't include a heat embossing gun. You can select the perfect temperature setting on your heat gun with just a flip of the temperature switch.
8. Ranger Letter It Embossing Technique Kit
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What Customers Have To Say
Crafters love this beginner kit. It includes all the basic supplies you need for heat embossing - a small ink pad, 3 embossing powders, sentiment stamps, an embossing pen, an acrylic block, and some precut cardstocks.
Why We Think It’s Great
The ink pad is small, a little over 1-inch square but belongs to the Ranger brand, though it is not available as an item for sale. Like the full-size embossing ink pad, it has a good tack that lets you work on your designs without rushing through them. The Ranger Letter It embossing pen is the same quality as those sold individually, and you won’t have any issues using it.
You can use the sentiment stamps for all-occasion cards for your cards. It also comes with an acrylic block you can use during the stamping process. It measures 2x3 inches. However, it does not have a grid.
The embossing powders are in sample quantities of 5 grams each, packed in squat and transparent jars with white caps. The embossing powders are metallic gold, black, and white.
It also includes 5 gray cardstocks precut to 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inches. You can also find a techniques sheet that starter crafters can use when practicing.
Who Should Buy It
This kit makes an excellent option for those who want to try heat embossing without spending too much on supplies. You’ll need to buy a heat tool, so the embossing powder melts well and adheres to your cards.
9. Mofa Embossing Powder Set
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What Customers Have To Say
One crafter who uses flocking powder loves this set because she can now save on flocking powder and have an embossing powder with an excellent assortment of colors.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Mofa Embossing Powder set includes nine 20g jars of regular embossing powder that you can use for card making, scrapbooking, and other similar crafts. The set consists of two containers of metallic embossing powders (gold and silver), a jar of clear embossing powder, and six jars of matte embossing powders (red, yellow, green, black, white, blue).
Fill is by weight, so some jars look like they have lesser content than other jars. The transparent plastic jar with a white cap is shatter-resistant to keep the powder in even if you accidentally drop it from the crafter’s table.
Mofa also has more embossing powders than the usual 15ml of other brands. Each jar measures 1 ⅝ inch in diameter and 2 inches tall. The package itself measures 5 ⅜ inches square, 2 ¼ inches high, and weighs 200 grams.
What we love about this set are the wide assortment of colors and the affordability. You can enjoy the many shades of the collection without spending more than you intend on embossing powders.
Who Should Buy It
This set is a great starter kit for those who want to get the best embossing heat kit. While it is limited to powders only, you also get a good value for your money.
Get a heat gun with a suitable cable length, so you don’t have to go around searching for power outlets while using it. It should produce enough hot air to get the best embossing effect.
10. Pixiss Embossing Kit with Heat Tool Bundle
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What Customers Have To Say
Crafters love it that they have everything in one kit, and they can start embossing straight away. A few good-quality cardstocks are all they need for their cards to take life. Some prefer to have a bullet tip embossing pen for finer details, though.
Why We Think It’s Great
The Pixiss Embossing Kit with Heat Tool Bundle is excellent because it comes with everything you need to start embossing. The Pixiss embossing heat gun is versatile, and you can use it on various embossing and shrinking crafts. The textured casing is high-quality ABS plastic, has side vents to disperse excess heat, and a single push power button. It runs on 100 volts and consumes 300 watts.
The pack also includes 8 embossing powders - glittery (blue, red, white, and black), metallic (silver, gold, and bronze), and pearlescent white. It also comes with a 3x2-inch clear embossing pad and a brush-tipped clear embossing pen. The inks are all acid-free, so you’re confident that your embossed art will last for a long time.
Who Should Buy It
The Pixiss Embossing Kit with Heat Tool Bundle is the perfect choice if you’re willing to go for an unbranded embossing heat gun and supplies. It offers good value for your money, though, especially if you’re a starter with embossing.
Best Heat Embossing Kit Buying Guide
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Inclusions
When looking for the best heat embossing kit, look for the items included in the kit. For a starter crafter, it is best to get the kit with complete tools and supplies.
For example, get a heat embossing kit that includes embossing powders, embossing ink, and embossing pens, so you’ll only need to buy a heat embossing gun separately.
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Needs
Consider your personal needs when looking for the best heat embossing kit. As we have emphasized in previous articles, what others consider the best may not be the best for you because you have different needs and preferences.
Some heat guns have dual-temperature settings, but if you don’t need the higher temperature, usually used in shrink wrapping, you’ll only need a single-power heat gun for crafts.
If you need to travel with it, find a compact size heat embossing gun with a heat-resistant plastic shield that will protect you from burn after accidentally touching the hot nozzle.
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Quality
Quality is essential when buying a heat embossing kit. This feature will ensure that your cards will have the best look and quality. Check out the quality of each item included in the kit.
Heat embossing guns usually have a built-in stand, but find one that supports the heat embossing gun well. The best heat gun should be functional, affordable, and UL-protected to withstand high temperatures, even when working on larger projects.
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Price
Don’t go for an overly expensive or low-cost heat embossing kit. Sometimes, quality determines the price, though that is not true in all cases. Find kits that are high-quality but affordable.
Heat Embossing FAQ
We’ve rounded some of the most frequently asked questions about heat embossing and answered them to the best of our ability. However, if you want more related information about heat embossing, check our articles on embossing powders or embossing heat guns.
1. What is heat embossing?
Heat embossing is a crafting technique of adding raised images and texts to your cards, journals, and other crafts. It would help if you had an embossing ink pad, embossing powders, and an embossing tool.
2. What is the best ink to use for heat embossing?
Crafters recommend using embossing ink or embossing pens for heat embossing because the ink is a unique substance that remains tacky for a considerable time after application.
Aside from regular embossing ink, you can also pigment inks, archival inks, and distress inks because they don’t dry out quickly. For the same reason, you can also use regular pens for adding embossing powders to your cards.
For DIY inks you can make from regular household items that you can use for heat embossing, check out the FAQ section of our article on embossing pens.
3. Can you use a hairdryer for heat embossing?
Crafters do not recommend using a hairdryer when heat embossing because it has a stronger airflow and lower temperature, blowing the embossing powders away.
If you need an alternative to a heat gun, try a clothes iron. You can also head over to the FAQ section of our article on embossing powders for more hacks when you need a DIY heat gun.
4. Can I use glue for heat embossing?
Yes, you can use glue pens to draw your designs directly on your cardstock, add your embossing powders, then heat set with an embossing heat gun. However, the embossing buddy won’t do you any good when using a glue pen. Another thing you should remember when using glue is that it is more sensitive to heat, so the adhesive may reactivate when heated again.
Aside from glue, the better alternative if you don’t have an embossing ink is to use sticky embossing powder since you can melt it then add glitter foils, glitters, flocking, and crushed crystals.
For die-cut designs, you can also use adhesive sheets to add embossing powders before melting them.
5. What is the difference between an embossing gun and a heat gun?
The term heat gun refers to any cylindrical or gun-shaped tool that generates heat for crafts. However, in the context of this article, a heat gun refers to a builder’s heat gun that produces a higher temperature (500oF and higher) for shrink wrapping, stripping paint, and other projects that require higher temperatures.
On the other hand, embossing heat guns produces a gentler stream of hot air from a smaller opening. This design directs the heat to the embossing powders, melting them upon contact without blowing them away. It usually has a maximum temperature of 392oF.
Some heat guns have dual-temperature settings but use only the lower temperature setting for heat embossing.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you find the right embossing kit for your crafting needs, and we wish you all success with your projects!
For this review, the best overall heat embossing kit is the Big Dream Heat Embossing Kit because of the high-quality items included in the kit that starters need. It is also very affordable.
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Embossing Kit is the best choice for those who love to try translucent embossing powders. The powders come in 12 different colors, and the inks are non-toxic, acid-free, and glycerin-based.
Not all heat embossing kits have all the items you need, so we recommend the Pixiss Embossing Heat Gun & Powder Kit as the best companion kit. It includes a dual-temperature heat gun and acid-free and non-toxic embossing powders.
Be sure to visit our blog or contact us if you have any questions. We’re always here to help!