Retro embossing tape
So many lovely options to chose from…
Embossing tape is one of those vintage products that has made a huge come back into the world of craft recently. Here I’ll review the different options available and show how you can use it even if you don’t have a label maker tool. You will find links at the end of this post for the exact models I found to work the best when combined.
Embossing tape has a peel off adhesive backing, comes in rolls and there are two possible sizes to choose from: the traditional narrow (1/4 inch) ones and a wider option that measures 3/4 inch in width.
The variety of colours is immense. Long are the days where you could only find them in very traditional primary colors; now you can find metallic colours, wood effect ones, clear tape and every other colour in the rainbow, including some funky fluorescent options.
What can it be used for?
Embossing labels are made out of plastic so they are a great durable and weather proof option if you intend on using them for its most traditional application: as labels on drawers, bookshelves, to organise kitchen or DIY storage containers, etc.
But crafters have recently fell in love with these all over again and repurposed them for inclusion in scrapbooking and journalling, in greeting cards and of course for craft storage organisation!
Here you can see how I’ve applied it to a handmade art book to add a retro touch to the design.
How do you use it?
In terms of how to use them, there are at least 3 ways in which you can emboss letters of other patterns on embossing tape:
OPTION 1 - USE the narrow tape WITH MOTEX EMBOSSING LABEL MAKER
When I was a child I remember my Dad owned a Dymo label maker and I loved playing with it, even without the tape on, just for the sake of the satisfying clicking sound! These days Dymo is still very much a brand that continues to produce a few different models but there are also some other very accessible options on the market that add even more to the creative possibilities.
That is the case of the specific MoTex model I bought and which I show you in more detail in the video below.
Why is this particular model so great?
It is very well made and robust and feels more comfortable to hold and operate with its side squeezing mechanism
It comes with two interchangeable alphabet wheels, upper and lower case and it includes some very cute symbols not all other brands have, such a heart, a star and a musical note.
The font style of these wheels is very versatile and also a bit more unusual compared to the majority of the other options on sale.
It comes with two sets of tape, one black and one matching the color option of the maker you go for. This means you have everything you need to start creating out of the box.
It’s a slimmer and more compact model than others on the market so it won’t take up too much storage space.
The vast majority of this type of label makers, this one included, will only take the traditional narrow tape option.
option 2 - use the wider tape with your typical embossing folders
If you don’t own a label maker and want to make do with the products you already have, this is the option for you. Chances are if you’ve been papercrafting for a bit, you will own embossing folders, the type that you run through a die cutting machine to leave an embossed/debossed impression on your paper or card. Well, guess what? These are wonderful to use with any type of embossing label, but particularly with the wider variety that We R Memory Keepers have launched.
These tapes are 3/4 inch in width and come in 4 possible variety packs: a metallics set of gold, silver and copper; a set of basics with clear, black and a gorgeous wood look; cool colours - blue, lime green and green; warm colours - yellow, pink and red.
The reason these are ideal to work with any embossing folders you may already own is that for most designs you may find the traditional narrow tapes are simply too narrow to capture enough distinguishable patterns.
I specifically found two embossing folders in particular that are excellent for sentiments, check out the patterns you can emboss with these:
OPTION 3 - Use ANY NARROW OR WIDE TAPE WITH SPECIALITY EMBOSSING FOLDERS BY WRMK
We R Memory Keepers have added to their Label It range, a set of 3 kits that include two narrow embossing folders (meaning they will go through some of your smaller die cutting machines - see my other post where I cover these), and two rolls of embossing tape each. You can choose between Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer, and my favorite, the Everyday collection.
Some sentiments or images fit the narrow strips, other the wider ones and it’s even marked in the embossing folders themselves which goes with which.