How to Do Water Stamping (Create Backgrounds As If By Magic!)

Hello there crafty friends! It's Jenny here, and today I'm here to share a fun technique that you can try over and over again. You can use just about any stencil, stamp, or embossing folder to do it, and the effects are almost magical! I'm talking about water stamping (or stenciling)!

For the technique, I'm using the Altenew Fine Mister – it's perfect for this technique, creating a fine mist of water without lots of large drops, but has a large reservoir of water so you don't need to keep refilling mid-craft session!

Water Stamping With Stencils

To start each of the projects, I used a panel of 80lb Solar White cardstock, heavily ink blended with my chosen ink. All of these methods work best with darker inks to get a good contrast. I also inked up each panel as I needed it, rather than doing a stack in one go.

For my first card, I used Rhodolite Crisp Dye Ink, blending with the Large Ink Blending Tool. I then overlaid it with the Woven Stencil, adhering down with Satin Masking Tape. I spritzed it several times with the Fine Mister.

Before lifting the stencil, I applied a paper towel over the top to soak up excess water. Then, I lifted up the stencil to reveal the magic! The water creates a perfect outline of the stencil, lightening the ink underneath!

I kept this first card more neutral/masculine. I added splatters with Pure White Ink Spray, Orange Cream Metallic Shimmer Spray for a fun color pop, and my favorite Antique Gold Metallic Ink Spray.

The sentiment dies are from the Just A Number Die Set, die cut from Jet Black cardstock and Vellum and adhered together. I mounted them on top with foam tape and adhered them to a white notecard.

Water Stamping With Stamps

Not surprisingly, you can use stamps for water stamping! For this card, I inked up a panel using Tanzanite Crisp Dye Ink first. I then arranged the large Courageous You stamp onto the panel and lifted it up with my MISTI.

I misted the stamp several times with the Fine Mister then stamped it down onto the blue panel, holding it there a few seconds for the water to do its magical thing! Lift up the MISTI and ta-da! Gorgeous water-stamped florals!

The more water you add, the thicker the outline, and you can speed up the drying process with a heat tool. I repeated the stamp again for an almost floral fabric feel. To complete the ‘fabric' look, I die cut the panel with the Cross Stitch Canvas Die.

I added a few splatters with Pure White Ink Spray, and while it was drying, I die cut the gorgeous Floral Lace Die from Vellum backed with Double-Sided Adhesive Sheets. I adhered it to the base of the panel, leaving some leaves popping up.

The sentiment (from Courageous You) was heat embossed in Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder on a strip of black cardstock, which I popped up on a strip of foam tape. I finished with a few Satin White sequins.

Water Stamping With Embossing Folders

My final card is probably my favorite! And the easiest of all! After water stamping using the stencil and stamps, I wanted to see if it would work with an embossing folder. And it does!

For my panel, I ink blended Andromeda Crisp Dye Ink, and then placed it in the Cheerful Bloom 3D Embossing Folder. On one side of the folder (the de-bossed side), I used the Fine Mister to add a few spritzes of water and closed the folder. I ran it through my die-cutting machine, pushing the water into the panel. When removed, you see lots of lighted areas in and around the dry embossing, lightening it near the valleys and adding a few speckles of interest here and there!

I water-stamped the sentiment from Courageous You into the bottom corner, then re-stamped over the top using Enchanted Gold Pigment Ink. I used the same gold ink to lightly highlight the petals and leaves and also ran it around the edge of the panel to create a border. I left it simple without embellishment. I love how this looks almost like pottery!

I hope this has inspired you to grab your Fine Mister and give water stamping a try. Be sure to check out my video over on the Altenew YouTube channel:

Have a great day!

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