Here at Artis, we’re dedicated to making a lasting impression. We believe that exceptional print should be more than just ink on paper; it should embody the quality and essence of your brand or business. That’s why it’s crucial to provide your customers with something unique and memorable.
Humans are inherently tactile creatures. Our fingertips are packed with nerve endings, making us highly responsive to texture. When you hand a business card to a potential client or when a customer picks up your brochure, the three-dimensional texture creates a powerful sensory experience. This is where the printing techniques of ’embossing’ and ‘debossing’ truly shine.
We’re going to delve deeper into embossing and its counterpart, debossing, and explore how these techniques can enhance the experience of your printed materials.
Embossing and debossing involve impressing or depressing an image or text onto a sheet of paper or card. This results in the image or text being raised above or pushed below the surface, creating a three-dimensional effect.
This method adds a contrast of light and shadow, making the text or image visually striking and tactilely engaging.
Here’s how the process begins: we start with two metal plates known as the ‘die’ and ‘counterdie.’ Your selected image or text is etched into these plates using specialized engraving tools and compounds. These dies are crafted to fit together perfectly.
After choosing the paper or card, it’s placed into the press between the die and counterdie. For the best results, we recommend using medium-weight stocks for embossing or debossing.
For embossing, the die is placed on top and the counterdie underneath. The press then applies a combination of high pressure and heat to squeeze the card between the two dies, leaving your text or image permanently imprinted and raised above the card’s surface.
With embossing, the back of your card will also show the indentation of the text, in reverse. If this isn’t part of the effect that you want to achieve, the indentations at the back can be covered up using the technique of duplexing
Debossing is essentially the inverse of embossing, with a few key differences. In this process, only one die, the counterdie, is used. The counterdie is pressed against the top side of the card using the same high-pressure and heat press, creating an indentation of your selected image or text. If the card is thick enough, this mark will not appear on the reverse side, ensuring a clean, professional look.
When this method is used without ink or foil, the result is known as ‘blind’ embossing or debossing. This effect is subtle and elegant, relying solely on the play of light and shade to give your image texture and draw the eye.
However, if you’d like to add a touch of color, we can help with that too. By adding ink, you can color match your branding or logo on your embossed business cards or brochures. Adding color to the inside of the die before pressing results in a raised image or text in the color of your choice.
For debossing, the counterdie is covered with ink, so the indented image emerges filled with color, while maintaining its three-dimensional texture.
At Artis, we believe we can bring any printing vision to life. Whether it’s embossing, debossing, duplexing, triplexing, or any combination of advanced printing techniques you need, we’ve got you covered.
We create print that stands out for all the right reasons. The textural contrast of an embossed business card invites touch, making it unforgettable.
Will embossing or debossing add the extra flair to your brand that you’ve been searching for? Contact Artis today to discuss your unique requirements.
Trellis is a stunning Brisbane development by Aria Property Group, with the creative done by Sexty Design. They used a beautiful lay-flat bind brochure to full effect with embossed colour plan endpapers and covers and a black foiled logo.
Tom Dooley Developments used an exceptional range of x7 different brochures present Argyle, New Farm, with each apartment type and penthouse brochure using the unique Artis Layflat bind for seamless presentation.
Long Pocket is a classy collaboration between PHNX Digital and developer Shayher Group. Situated in the lovely Indooroopilly suburb of Brisbane, it uses a beautiful Artis Layflat brochure to display the stunning creative to maximum effect.