AECP Impressive Heat Embossing: Faux Batik Technique

When I was still single, I owned a chain of boutique clothing stores called “Island Spice”. The store specialized in tropical/resort clothing. I had about six stores at its peak but unfortunately I could not compete with the big box brands that were then starting to come into the market. The year I closed it down was 2003. It was also the year I got married. One door closes, a window opens – as they say!

One of the many things I enjoyed about owning that business was that I got to travel to many places in Southeast Asia, India and even the US to source my products. One of the places I frequented was the island of Bali in Indonesia.

It was there where I sourced local materials called Batik. I made sarongs, blouses, lounge pants, swimsuit cover-ups with them.

After I finished with the AECP Impressive Heat Embossing class, I was inspired to create batik-style cards using the heat emboss resist technique.

As it turns out, my husband’s cousin who lives in India is getting married in Bali in April during the Easter holiday. I thought this would be perfect to use for the occasion!

The first step is the basic embossed resist technique. I ink blended a white cardstock with 2-3 different ink colors. I did not really take care in blending them well as this technique is quite forgiving of that as you will see.

Then I stamped images from the Hibiscus build a flower stamp set with an acrylic block and heat embossed it using clear Embossing powder.

The next part can get pretty nerve-wracking. I crumpled the panel into a ball! This is how you create that “batik” effect.

Then I unfolded it and lay it flat on my glass mat. I took another ink and blended it all over the panel.

The crease from crumpling the paper gave it the “texture” that batik is known for.

Here is another example, a panel I did using the same technique but instead of crumpling, I folded it in several places. This is for those of you who want a more “controlled” look to the panel,

Now, if you do not want to crumple or fold, you can still achieve the “batik” look. For the final card I made, I stepped it up by double Embossing it. I first clear embossed a flower from the Totally Tropical stamp set on light blue pearlized cardstock.

Then I applied ink all over. Then I stamped one of the leaves from the Parrot Paradise stamp set overlapping some of the flowers. Then I heat embossed it again trapping the color. Then finally I ink blended on top for its final monochromatic look.

Then I used a 1″ strip of vellum as a band around the cards and added four rounds of twine on top. I used the Label Love set to stamp and heat emboss coordinating sentiments for each of the cards

Then I finished it off with matching sequins for a much needed bling!

I added crafters foam at the back then adhered the panel onto a 4.25″X5.5″ card base. I will bring these cards with me to Bali.

Here are the final photos of the cards I made.

The Altenew Academy Impressive Heat Embossing class gave me so much confidence to use heat embossing in my cardmaking. I encourage you to check it out!

Hope you enjoyed my tutorial!

‘Til next time!

❤️

Anna