Technique Tuesday: Faux Wood Engraving

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If you love texture… this one is going to make you ridiculously happy.

This week’s rubber stamping technique looks complicated, but it’s truly just ink + an embossing folder used in a slightly sneaky way. And when you’re done? It looks like carved wood. Rustic. Detailed. A little artsy. A little vintage. Totally wow.

If you’ve got embossing folders sitting in your drawer waiting for something new, this is your sign. Keep reading to see the video tutorial, all four card samples, and grab your free downloadable project sheet with the measurements.

You’ll find the full step-by-step video below.

How the Faux Wood Engraving Technique Works

Start with Basic White cardstock. Swipe a light brown ink like Crumb Cake across the surface. Don’t try to make it perfect. In fact, don’t. Those streaks and inconsistencies are what make it look like real wood.
Next comes the twist.

Emboss the cardstock backwards – meaning the Stampin’ Up!® logo on the embossing folder should be on the back side of your cardstock. That way, the design is indented instead of raised.

Now swipe Pecan Pie ink over the top. The darker ink grabs onto the raised areas and skips the indented parts. Add a touch of Early Espresso around the edges for depth.
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That’s it. It looks carved. It looks layered. It looks way fancier than it actually is.

Grab Your Free Project Sheet

I’ve created a free downloadable project sheet with all the measurements and basic instructions for this faux wood engraving technique.
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You can download it and try it with whatever embossing folders you already have. This is one of those techniques that makes your supplies feel brand new again.

Free Project Sheet for this Technique

Springtime Scenes + Sunflower 3D

This card pairs the faux wood engraving background with the Springtime Scenes bundle and the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder.

The card base is Early Espresso, which really anchors that rich wood look. I added a Crumb Cake circle for the sentiment, stamped in Early Espresso, and layered it over a detailed circle cut from Early Espresso cardstock.

The little ladybug is cut from Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler, and the flowers are Crush Curry. The Pecan Pie Earthy Matte Dots pull the whole earthy look together.
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It feels warm and cheerful all at once – like sunshine carved into wood.

Complete Supply List for this Ladybug Card

Wood Grain Wonders Designer Series Paper Twist

This one is slightly different because I used Wood Grain Wonders Designer Series Paper.

The paper already has woodgrain texture printed on it, so I skipped the first ink swipe. I embossed the lightest sheet using the Sunflower 3D folder and then swiped Early Espresso ink over the top to highlight the raised design.

The card base is Crumb Cake with Early Espresso layers. The birthday sentiment from Words of Beauty is stamped on coordinating DSP. Early Espresso Earthy Matte Dots finish it off.
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It’s subtle. It’s layered. And it shows how you can combine Designer Series Paper with a rubber stamping technique for even more depth.

Complete Supply List for this Sunflower Birthday Card

Natural Botanicals + Join Together 3D

This birthday card uses the Join Together 3D Embossing Folder for a completely different carved look.

I stamped the coneflowers from Natural Botanicals in Early Espresso. Because it’s a reversible stamp set, I flipped the stamp over and used Crushed Curry on the back side to fill in the petals.

The sentiment is from Reason to Celebrate, and of course I added Earthy Matte Dots because they just belong with this technique.
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This one feels classic and timeless – like something you’d find engraved on an old garden sign.

Complete Supply List for this Floral Birthday Card

Soft Waves + Terrific Toadstools

This might be my favorite embossing folder for this technique.

The Soft Waves 3D Embossing Folder almost looks like zoomed-in woodgrain once you apply the faux engraving method. It’s gorgeous.

I paired it with the Terrific Toadstools stamp set and coordinating Builder Punch. The toadstools are stamped in Pumpkin Pie and Cherry Cobbler with Crumb Cake bases.

The sentiment is stamped and layered using Nested Essentials dies, and I added Ladybug Epoxy Dots for a playful finish.
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This one is such a fun thank you card – rustic background with whimsical mushrooms? Yes please.

Complete Supply List for this Terrific Toadstool Card

Want Even More Creative Inspiration?

Here’s how you can get extra rewards this month:

• Every order – free tutorial bundle
• $50+ order – Creativity Made Simple Techniques, Templates, & Folds bundle
• $75+ order – March Bundle of the Month: 16-card video tutorial featuring the Extraordinary Flora bundle
• $100+ order – FREE Make & Take kit for April’s Online Card Class using the Springtime Scenes bundle

If you loved the first card in this post, you’ll definitely want that April class kit.
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Crafting should be fun, not fussy. Try the technique. Make it messy. See what happens.