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(April 2008)| Embossing and debossing are processes of creating
either raised or recessed relief images and designs in paper and
other materials. An embossed pattern is raised against the
background, while a debossed pattern is sunken into the surface
of the material (but might protrude somewhat on the reverse,
back side). Also see: bas relief. Embossing is typically
accomplished by applying heat and pressure with male and female
dies, usually made of copper or brass, that fit together and
squeeze the fibers of the substrate. The combination of pressure
and heat raises the level of the image higher than the
substrate, while "ironing" it to make it smooth. In printing
this is accomplished on a letterpress. The most common machines
are the Kluge Letterpress and the Heidelberg Letterpress.
"Debossing" is similar to embossing, but recesses the design
rather than raising it. Most types of paper can be embossed, and
size is not normally a consideration. Em