Secondary Research - Embossing/Debossing

Embossing & Debossing


Embossing and dembossing are similar processes that create a different result. Both processes involve making a metal plate and a counter. The plate is mounted on a press and the paper is stamped between the plate and counter. This force of pressure pushes the stock into the plate, creating the impression.
Embossing produces a raised impression on your paper stock, while debossing creates a depressed impression.
Things to remember when designing for a piece that includes embossing/debossing:

• Be aware that embossing is a mechanical process that manipulates the paper stock, so by default, it will also manipulate your design.
• Set your type with more space between letters than usual. If you put them too close to one another, they can merge and become one element once the embossing has been done. Embossing makes design elements look smaller and reduces the sharpness of smaller items.

There are two ways you can emboss your work at home: dry embossing and heat embossing.
Dry embossing, also called relief embossing, is done by tracing a stencil with some paper over it with a special tool called a stylus to get the raised effect on it.
Heat embossing, also referred to as stamp and heat embossing, is done by stamping an image on a piece of paper, sprinkling powder over the stamped image, and then applying heat.




Planning Tips

Stock Selection

• Factors to consider in stock selection include surface characteristics, grain, gauge, weight, material density, printing inks or coatings to be applied, and finishing processes to be used.
• Generally, the stocks most receptive to embossing dies are stocks that are uncoated, heavier in weight, and have a felt finish.
• Embossing on heavier stocks will most often provide greater dimensional depth and detail.
• If some of the stock being embossed or hot stamped is very thick, the engraver should be advised that increased depth will need to be tooled into the die to provide more definition to the embossed image. The greater depth will compensate for thickness, memory (the tendency for the stock to return to its original shape), and stock resistance.
• It is desirable to have the die "bottom out" or strike the paper with enough pressure that the material is stretched to its maximum potential without cracking or tearing.
• Coated, varnished, and lightweight stocks have a tendency to crack when embossed. Paper and ink have limitations in the degree that they can be stretched before cracking. Coatings cannot be stretched, so care should be taken with any type of embossing on coated or varnished stock.
• Embossing with a foil covering rather than ink can help eliminate cracking on coated stocks.
• When heat is applied to an embossing die during foil stamping or glazing, the likelihood of coated and lightweight stocks becoming brittle is increased, which may lead to the stock becoming cracked during the embossing process.
• Textured stocks may compete with the embossed image if the texture is too pronounced, however, for a blind emboss, a slightly textured stock provides the best results.
• Consider the direction of the paper grain when embossing. Embossing against the grain can cause cracking problems, however, it may be necessary to go against the grain to achieve the desired effect for certain applications.
• Recycled paper may cause the embossing to be inconsistent in appearance from sheet to sheet because a high content of recycled fibers weakens the stock when it is exposed to heat and pressure. Use paper with less than 30% post-consumer fiber for best results.
• Long-fiber sheets are best for embossing, since they are capable of handling a wider variety of embossing dies, particularly the deeper dies.
• Sulfate and foils are the best board stocks to use when embossing packaging materials. 

Typical Uses for Embossing

• Embossing is often used for company logos or as accents surrounding logos.
• It is used for borders or highlights surrounding images.
• Another common use is to create elegant accents for distinctive symbols, images, graphics, or lines.
• If a multilevel or sculptured die is used, there will be varying depths to the embossing, giving the image a distinctive 3-D effect.
• Embossing is occasionally used for security. Embossed seals or symbols of authenticity add security to government forms, legal documents, and corporate papers, however, embossing is considered an older form of document security, as more alternatives in print technology continue to be developed.

The bottom image is showing debossing and embossing. embossing is the top one with the bottom one been debossing obviously. I like embossing for most texts and then like debossing for patterns etc.. Although, I like the use of the embossing to create a look alike wood effect. Although, when this technique is done you need to remember that you will always see the deboss on the other side too.