Embossing is a technique that requires the use of a heat source.  A heat gun is the ideal tool for melting the crystals into the finished product.  The melted crystals form puddles that are colorful and attractive.  Using combinations of colors will make unique effects to decorate ordinary objects.

Embossing on paper with a heat gun is a popular craft with many uses.  Scrapbook enthusiasts enjoy making their own custom scrapbook pages with embossing powder and a heat gun.  They do this by layering ink and embossing powders on the paper.  The embossing powder is melted and coats the paper making a different and attractive decorative effect.  Embossing on paper creates multiple layers of color which yields a depth and color range that is highly attractive.

Embossing powder can be applied by stamping the paper with special ink.  The embossing powder is then applied to the wet ink which holds it in place.  This ink can be stamped on or patted on with a sponge.  You can also use stencils for a specific shape or effect.  Once the ink is applied it is time to add the embossing powder.  Add one color or several to melt together.  Then the heat gun is used to melt the embossing powder into the shimmery and molten-looking finished product.  You can use clear or a colored embossing powder for a different effect.  By choosing stamps and creating a pattern multiple layers of color are applied to the paper, creating beautiful pages that can range from playful riots of color to subdued tones.

Using a heat gun for embossing is fun, easy and exciting.  Watching all of your powders start to melt together is suspenseful because you never know what it will look like.  As the heat gun does its magic the beautiful pools of color will appear and each project is entirely unique.  Embossing paper is a great craft for anyone who can use a heat gun.

Fabric Welding With a Heat Gun: Heat guns are used for so many things but one of the most interesting uses is for fabric welding.  The heat gun’s localized blast of heat can fuse sheets of plastic tarpaulins together creating an impervious seam that will hold up to stress during use.  Because the heat gun actually begins to melt the sheets together the seam is almost as strong as the original material.

Welding plastic sheeting together can create custom tarpaulins and coverings for various uses.  The process is fast and easy as well as durable allowing you to make custom sized pieces of plastic sheeting.  This is useful for odd type jobs that might require different sizes of plastic than that which is readily available.  Some common uses are to line decorative fish pods, boat covers or customized covers for trucks or trailers.  By using your heat gun to weld plastic fabrics you can create the perfect cover for your cargo during a move for example.

Welding plastic fabric together is easy to do and takes only a short amount of time.  To begin, both pieces of sheeting are cut to the correct size allowing one to 1.5 inches of overlap for the seam.  Then the pieces are laid out with the edges to be welded overlapping by at least an inch.  Now you apply heat using your heat gun equipped with a slit nozzle, and direct the hot air between the two sheets at the edge to be welded.  Once the material softens use a feed roller to firmly press the overlapped sheeting together.

Heat guns offer the ability to create customized sheeting that has unlimited potential.  From custom covers for cars and boats to a custom awning or shade you can create one of kind items out of plastic sheeting using your heat gun.  The use potential of a heat gun for fabric welding is vast and worth further investigation.