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Printing Custom Embossed Labels

PRINTING CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS 101 PRIMER

Embossing is a mechanical print finishing method. This lends a feeling of elegance, refinement, uniqueness, and attractiveness to any printed surface. “Cameo” or “tooling” are other terms we use in lieu of embossing.

Wedding invitations and document seals are some materials usually finished with embossed details. Credit cards are also good examples you can easily find nearby to see how embossing looks like in person.

What is Embossing in a Nutshell?

Embossing involves pressing a section of the printing surface. This technique produces a 2D design with gorgeous, tactile depth and height.

Embossing provides premium print embellishments. Raised text, emblems, and other graphics of interest instantly draws the eye to these focal design points.

Embossing creates raised surfaces where a design or pattern is levels above the surrounding print material.

When you run your fingers over the surface of the printed piece, the embossed parts create interesting textures. These transform your prints into luxurious multisensory experiences.

Heat and force presses the intended artwork onto the workpiece between an engraved metal die and counter die. This alters the overall profile of the print material.

Undoubtedly, the results are stunning raised impressions with dramatic contrast. The impressions match the artwork specified on file.

GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. READ ON BELOW AND TAKE NOTE OF ALL THE IMPORTANT INFO BEFORE YOU PRINT YOUR CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS.

Let’s first have a short history lesson before we jump into how embossed labels are made. Also, looking back helps to understand and appreciate why it exists today.

As early as the 15th century, embossing had a highly practical and noble purpose. At this time, personalized stationery existed back then thanks to heated stamping plates.

The first book embossed with elevated letters was created particularly for blind persons to read. Valentin Haüy, the founder of the first school for the blind, produced this in 1786.

It was the precursor to the Braille-raised lettering method, which is now extensively used worldwide.

Embossing was scarce, costly, and much sought after. This is because it was considered a visual indicator of excellent quality and professionalism.

Once printing services evolved and grew more economical and attainable in the early nineteenth century, embossing, as we know it, has now become easily accessible to everyone.

What is Embossing in Printing? Embossing is a technique that creates a two-dimensional or raised design on the surface of the printing material. The most popular printing materials used in this technique include paper, foil, plastic, and fabric, to name a few.

This technique uses a metal die of two (front and back) metal plates made of brass, copper, or magnesium. The sunken die pattern is the front “female” die. The elevated die pattern is the back “male” counter-die.

How these metal dies will look is based on your design and which areas you specify to have the embossed effect.

Both dies push against your chosen print material to create embossed design elements. The raised die pushes the stock into the recessed one, creating an imprint. A precise amount of pressure exerted on the dies compress the sheet fibers. Because of this, firmly set and raised areas are the product of this method.

The finishing procedure is straightforward. In addition to this, it is a cost-effective means to improve any printing surface’s appearance. Embossing is part of our Special FX series, for truly exceptional custom packaging.

Can you Emboss a Label? Label embossing is a method that embeds specific patterns. In particular, this is done as 2D designs custom packaging materials. This allows your branding to stand out from the standard flat surface of the packaging.

To emboss a label, a specific design is impressed up into the label material. Individual patterns will vary based on the label’s intended aesthetic.

Embossing is possible on individual text or a specific embellishment (e.g. borders/frames, outlines). Another popular design theme is embossing an entirely bespoke design covering most of the finished custom label.

Add a dimension of elegance with custom labels your customers won’t forget. Sculpt your branding in contrast to simple flat prints. Developing decorative accents open unlimited possibilities for any creative print concept.

Without a doubt, embossing provides a novel visual depth to your labels, as well as a gorgeous tactile aspect.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN PRINTING CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS

Embossed printing is a special process that necessitates early preparation and a good grasp of the production process. The more complicated the embossed label design, the more expensive it is to produce the die. For instance, with multi-level embossing.

The embossed areas need a separate artwork file created containing just these areas. This is apart from the usual working print artwork file.

Here are valuable pointers and things to think about while developing your embossed labels to get the best possible results:

If you already have a complex print design, you may want to make the emboss simpler. Too much detail can easily lend to clutter and incongruous art elements.

If you must emboss intricate designs, make sure to talk to a Prepress designer to see if all is ok. Add spacing between lines and shapes if your designs have more fine detail. This offsets the movement of material as it is pressed into the machine.

Set your line art to at least 0.3mm to make sure embossing is clean and crisp.

Not everything goes well with embossing. We do not recommend adding laminate. This added layer mutes the effect of the stamped design and the embossed areas will be less noticeable.

When embossing and foiling are combined, the embossed area must also be foil stamped. Doing this helps prevent any unwanted registered embossing or unintentional blind embossing.

If you’re considering foil stamping, consider integrating it with embossing to amplify the light caught from different angles.

Review your final design because sometimes less is more. It’s possible that blind embossing (embossing without print) will pop out more at times, depending on the stock and the print design.

More pronounced embossing effects require considerably more material.

To achieve crisp, high-quality results, create artwork in vector using graphics software such as Adobe Illustrator.

Printing Embossed Labels Versus Debossed Labels

Embossing and debossing are opposite effects. Debossing is not a type of embossing. Both embossing and debossing add highlights and shadows to a printed piece but do so in opposite ways.

Embossing and debossing do not require any print machine ink transfer from metal die to label material. Both only require pressure and heat, apart from the machine.

Where embossing lifts designs up above the surface, debossing pulls down the design for a depressed, indented look.

Debossing is the absolute opposite of embossing in that it creates an indent on the surface. You have the option of leaving the debossing alone, known as a blind deboss, or filling the depression with ink.

A metal die presses the front of the material, stamping depressions that create a debossed imprint of the image on your chosen material.

Adding inked areas or metallic foil creates extra visual impact. Adding metallic details, called “foil stamping,” can be applied to embossed or debossed areas. Doing so plays up the contrast to add depth and intensity. This creates an even more interesting, premium aesthetic.

What is the Difference between Embossing and Letterpress?

Letterpress printing is more similar to foil stamping than it is to embossing and debossing.

It is a method that employs specially-made blocks and pressure to imprint a design on printing materials. This sort of elaboration not only looks and feels great, but it also assures that your product, no matter how simple the design, makes a lasting impact.

Letterpress is similar to debossing, but differs in that no impression is made on the reverse side. Debossing uses two dies, while letterpress uses only one die.

The letterpress printing technique involves pressing into paper from one side to produce an imprint. This technique can be used with or without ink.

Embossing and debossing is the process of pressing paper between two-sided dies to create a raised design. These procedures do not use any ink.

Using Custom Embossed Labels to Boost your Brand

Embossed labels add a significant boost to adding pizzazz to your brand. The outcome is a more sophisticated design for your product packaging. Tooling creates a two-dimensional feel and appearance for your final branded retail experience.

The little elements imprinted onto the label give your design a level of intricacy ideal for anybody looking to promote their items as a high-quality cut above the rest.

When shoppers look at your product, they will see and feel the precise indentations created by the embossing technique by running their fingers across the label.

When it comes to purchasing decisions, that sensation of touch might make all the difference. According to the Journal of Marketing, product packaging that draws consumers to touch the goods may also increase their chance of purchase.

As a result, embossing increases the desire of a prospective buyer to purchase an item to see and feel what makes it unique.

Custom embossed product labels project a high-end image and bring attention to the business logo or other essential design components.

Using Custom Embossed Labels to Increase Value Perception

The customer’s sense of touch when handling items may establish a strong bond with the product and, consequently, the brand, just as it did for the visually challenged readers of Valentin Haüy’s first embossed volume.

Some studies show that physically handling objects may generate a sense of psychological ownership, prompting must-have purchasing decisions.

Gorgeous custom embossed gold foil labels without ink (Blind embossing)

Who wouldn’t want their products to be the center of attention on the shelf? The aesthetic attractiveness of a label is critical in determining whether or not consumers will buy your goods.

Embossing is a printing technique that can make your labels stand out, both literally and metaphorically.

Embossed labels are an excellent method to get a luxury package look since they provide visual appeal and a distinct tactile feel. On the other hand, the embossing technique necessitates expertise and resources that may be beyond the grasp of smaller label printers.

CLICK HERE FOR A QUICK, FREE FILE CHECK AND PREPRESS SETUP TO HELP YOU GET STARTED TODAY.

PRINTING CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS WITH INKABLE LABEL CO.’S SPECIAL FX™

Does embossing on its own lack other visual elements for your creative vision? You can certainly add finishing touches and complementary embellishments to fully shape your custom label to your creative vision.

Fortunately, embossing isn’t the only technique to give your personalized labels a high-end look. Tinsel accents, using rainbow holographic stock, earthy brown kraft, and adding spot UV are also excellent avenues for adding texture and color to your labels for a distinctive design.

State-of-the-art press capabilities opens up great possibilities for your branded packaging. Pair 3D looking stickers with some of our gorgeous Special FX™ embellishments.

These finishing touches deliver showstoppers that can actualize your creative vision. Contact us to start your free consultation.

HOW TO CARE FOR EMBOSSED LABELS WHEN NOT IN USE

Store your label stocks away from direct sunlight. This will cause the printed colors to fade. Make sure to keep your label stocks in a cool and dry place to keep the adhesive in its optimum condition.

Moisture is still a big factor to avoid, whether paper, foil or plastic is used. This guarantees your labels keep their long-term tack.

*INKABLE LABEL CO. BONUS FEATURE:

Your custom embossed labels orders will come with a free consultation + free Prepress check + free revisions. These ensure your embossing artboard will be set up correctly, and that you get exactly what you want.

READY TO PRINT YOUR LABELS?

Before printing custom embossed labels, we recommend that you list down the requirements of your print project. Determine the fit of your labels on your container or packaging, finalize what shape these should be, finalize what areas need to be embossed, think about necessary content and color scheme.

One of the most important steps is to prepare and layout your design correctly on your artboard. To successfully do this, ensure your designer does a thorough Prepress Check so that you avoid any errors on the press and receive perfect custom embossed labels.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP. OUR DESIGN AND PREPRESS TEAM WILL CHECK YOUR FILES, FREE OF CHARGE, TO HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD.

LET’S PRINT YOUR CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS!

Printing custom embossed labels is the perfect solution to creating luxurious, premium packaging. The options for design are virtually endless.

We can accomplish your creative goals and create a custom label that gives your branding justice, distinguishing your product as unique and different.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE SAMPLES OF CUSTOM EMBOSSED LABELS AND GET INSTANT PRICING.

Printing Custom Embossed Labels

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