Wasn't pleased with what was actually in the packaging. This item did not come with instructions. I purchased it based on it stated that it was for beginners.I am totally lost at this point. I now know that I need a light box, and perhaps other stencils and stylusso that I can teach myself how to accomplish the desired out come for various cards and other papercard stock project ideas that I am working towards.This product is exactly what I was looking for. It was shipped quickly. While there are only two templates in the kit, they are versatile and can be used to make several cards/papers that look very different. Very happy with this purchaseA lot - for not-so-much Expected more paper(s) and tools. This was okay - except I felt I paid too much and it wasn't what I expected (wanted). I could make greetings cards from scratch (my own paper and tools) - rather than this set.Not what I spected to small and plates are not very good to work with, tool is to big for metal plates unable to useThe stencils are beautiful and the stylus is sturdy. The direction to how to use the stencil and the stylus was written inside the flap of the box. If one would read and follow the direction then the dry embossing is easy to use and the embossing comes out very nice. Basically, to use this item, you put the paper on top (not below) the stencils. The only way you can emboss is to shine light underneath the paper/stencils so that you can see where to trace. This mean you need a light box to do this. I think this item was given a lower rating might be because it was used incorrectly. Some spacings of the stencils were so small that I can't even use my pencil to trace with it. However, if the kit was used as intended, the bossing comes out just like the picture on the box. In fact, having the stencil placed beneath the paper ensures that you won't over emboss and poke through the paper. Another upside is that while you trace with the stylus, you may accidentally trace outside of the stencils, but the mistake will not appear on the right side of the paper.The only downside is that you need a light source. It is not easy to tape the whole thing on a window and try to trace. This was not made obvious if you only read the back of the box. I think this is a big flaw in their advertisement.I recently purchased this kit. I just tried out my first stencil - the butterfly one and it came out beautifully. Some of the other reviewers here have posted that the embosser tool was too large. I agree, but I was able to make it work. There are two tips sizes for the embosser tool. I first tried the smaller tip and it seemed like I couldn't really get into the smaller holes. The larger tip was definitely too large. But I went back through a second time with the smaller tip for all the holes and my butterfly stencil came out perfectly. It looks professionally done! I am now looking online to see if I can find a light box and potentially other metal stencils to add to my kit. I am happy with my purchase.I really loved this kit. I found it for half price at a craft store. I used the stylus with the Martha Stewart alphabet stencil, and it worked great. You do need to have a light box or a window to trace on.I like this kit, mine came with several different designs on the template (I'm not sure why the other person said in their review that there were only 2, maybe it's an older version). Anyhow, most of the designs are too small to fit the stylus (either end) that comes with the kit, so I am currently looking for something else so that I can use all of these embossing templates. If I could find a way to use them it would be great. The kit should've come with another stylus that's small enough to emboss with all of the templates.I use this for decorating cards and envelopes. I found it hard to use as no instructions at first, then I realised what to do. You need a light box and if you love creating things then just use your imagination and you can produce some love embossing things also use your embossing powders and create some lovely designs.good