Metal embossing is the art of creating designs on a metal sheet, by raising or sinking and smoothening the surfaces, to give it a three dimensional look. The hollows or raised portions could be filled with paint or may remain as it is. This is done to make straightforward wall decorations or as a collection for scrapbooks. It is principally done as a spare time pursuit and one could earn cash by selling the pieces to people who wants to use them as home decor.

Metal embossing as a craft, was used by the ancient Celts and later forced its way into Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The sheet metals that are usually used for embossing are copper, pewter and aluminium. They come in diverse thicknesses, with a shiny finish and can be found in all of the spare time pursuit outlets and craft shops. Generally, a craft scissors can cut the sheets, and are extremely flexible and will dent at the slightest touch.

The tools required for metal embossing are extremely simple. A beginner's kit comes in a group of one or two sheets of metal, a stylus tool, a few patterns and instructions. The stylus is a wooden bulb-shaped to be held like a pen and used to trace the pattern. This rounded tip of the "pen" pushes out the areas on the metal sheet that is out of the pattern. The other tip of the stylus is pointed and is used to create lines.

The stylus can be used to write text and emboss alphabets in the sheets. Swirls, dots and other patterns can be done to give a background for the key picture. Strips of embossed metal that are adorned with accessories or paints can be used as frames for scrapbook images.

One need to pick the design first and a newb could do well to choose an easy one. The metal sheet is to be put on a soft surface like a pile of newspapers or a mousepad. The design must be placed on the metal sheet and traced utilising the stylus, pressing wherever required. Once the paper is done with, the stylus needs to be moved over the embossed lines to deepen them by pressing down firmly and uniformly. Once this is done, turn the metal sheet over so that the raised lines face up. The smoothening of the excess scribbles and making of finer lines and details can be done at this point.

Use paint to give colours. Various textures can be added to make it more interesting. Cross-hatching can be done by making tiny crosses with the tip of the screwdriver to give it a rough finish. As one gets better control over the stylus, more and more intricate designs can be made.

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