Embossing, Foil Stamping and Fine Art Printing

One of the most common uses for embossed printing in printmaking is logos. When you are custom embossing logos you are raising areas of a paper above the level of the paper’s natural state. During the actual production of embossed printing several tons of pressure is used. The embossing die and the embossed paper become united in a printing press and the impression of the brass or magnesium plate is left on the surface of the paper.

Often, but not always colour inks, spot color printing and varnishing are combined. When inks are not included in embossed printing it is known as blind embossed. This form of embossed engraving is also used to produce Brail, which is how the vision impaired people read. When you get your printing Blind embossed in business it is recognized as luxurious and extravagant.

To begin the embossed print process you need a concept. Once you have your graphic elements visualized they need to be illustrated in line art form. The least expensive way to produce the embossing die is to use magnesium based dies. They can be created photo-mechanically or digitally. This method of embossing paper may not be what you are looking for. Perhaps you want multi levels to your embossing die. In this case you need to define the depth of layers. A good example of embossed printing can be found here. This will help you understand what is involved in making a plate by using layers.

Making the communication method from an embossed printing buyer to the vendor of choice needs to be delivered clearly and concisely if perfection is the goal. Embossed Printing involves changing the shape of embossed paper to create multi-levels of fine imagery with paper. To transfer your desired effect on paper precisely, a simplification and outlines of the effect are required. Executed properly a beautiful three dimensional design on elegant paper will be sure to dazzle the most cynical design critics.

This old school, fine line, elegant method of printmaking is not cheap. The embossing die that is needed can also have tremendous impact on the price of embossed printing. A mag (magnesium) die, Brass Cup die, Brass Sculptured die are all priced much differently. I have listed them in order of production costs, the least expensive being a magnesium die. The basic rule of thumb is, this style of print- making is double the price of conventional printing using inks, at least.

The process of embossing is a lot like foil stamping, in fact the embossing machines that perform custom embossing also produce foil stamping. The added part to the process is the transfer of foil, which is applied from a roll that feeds into the embossing press as required. It can also bee combined with embossing ink, spot colors, and CMYK colors.

If you want to take a look at various simulations of embossing effects it can be achieved through graphics software such as Adobe Photo Shop. By using modern day technology you can virtually see your finished product before any expensive tooling takes place. This is a convenience that was not available when I began to learn this fine print making art. One fact remains about embossed printing projects is it converts ordinary in to the extraordinary.

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