Basic Vellum Technique: How to Adhere Vellum & Easy Ways to Use It

Video Tutorial

Why Learning Vellum Techniques Matters

Vellum has a unique role in cardmaking. It softens bold backgrounds, adds elegance without bulk, and creates beautiful layers you simply can’t achieve with cardstock alone. Once you understand how vellum behaves — and how to work with it — it opens the door to endless design possibilities.

Vellum Basics

Before jumping into WOW techniques, it’s important to cover a few vellum basics that immediately build confidence.

Types of Vellum

Not all vellum is the same. Some is thinner and more delicate, while heavier vellum holds up better to heat embossing and layering. Knowing which type you’re using makes a big difference in your results. The Stampin’ Up! Vellum Specialty Paper is very thick and perfect for use on your cards.

Why Ink Dries Slower on Vellum

Vellum is non-porous, which means ink sits on the surface instead of soaking in like it does on cardstock. That’s why patience — or embossing — is key.

Heat Gun Safety Tips – Using a heat tool on vellum requires a gentle touch:

• Always heat from the back of the paper
• Let your heat tool warm up first
• Use an on-and-off motion instead of constant heat
• Keep some distance to avoid scorching or warping

Adhesive Rules for Vellum

Adhesive is one of the biggest challenges with vellum. The key is knowing:

• What can be hidden behind layers
• Where the adhesive will show
• When embellishments and embossing become your best friends

I like to think of these as the “rules” of vellum — and once you know them, you’ll know exactly when and how to break them creatively.

WOW Technique #1: Heat Embossing on Vellum

Heat embossing is one of the best techniques for vellum, and it’s a true confidence-builder.

WOW Moments You’ll Love

• Clear embossing over stamped images creates a soft, frosted look
• White embossing gives florals a clean, elegant outline
• Metallic WOW Embossing Powders add instant luxury
• Partial embossing, such as just flower centers or outlines, adds subtle interest without overwhelming the design

Pro Tips

• VersaMark ink and Craft White Ink works better than pigment ink on vellum because it’s designed to hold embossing powder in place
• WOW Embossing Powders stay crisp where regular ink might blur
• Heating from the back side of the vellum helps prevent curling and keeps embossed images smooth and flat

If stamping on vellum has ever made you nervous, heat embossing is your safety net — and once you try it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

Why This Technique Is a Game-Changer

Vellum doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few foundational tips and the right techniques, it becomes a powerful design element that adds softness, elegance, and polish to your handmade cards.

This is exactly why vellum deserves a place in your Technique Series library — it’s not trendy, it’s timeless.

If you’re ready to stop avoiding vellum and start using it with confidence, this is one technique you’ll reach for again and again.

Happy stamping, my crafty friends — and remember, when you know the technique, creativity gets a whole lot easier.

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