What Is Embossing and When To Use it

Embossed Printing – adding a third dimension

We’re often asked by marketers like you: How can we build brand engagement cost-effectively? Our answer is simple: You need your clients to interact with your brand.

By interacting we mean they must actively do something with your brand to establish it in their memory. We believe that by using more than one of the senses to interact, your brand will be memorised much more readily.

So which senses can you use? To start with, here’s the full list:

Sight
Sound
Scent
Taste
Touch

Taste is always a difficult one (unless your brand is aligned with food!). Sound is easily covered within video. So that leaves Sight, Scent and Touch – all of which are best covered by well-created print.

Scent is covered in previous articles, such as our scratch and sniff page. But Sight and Touch, we feel, are perfectly achieved by embossing – the subject of this month’s focus.

Embossed printing adds an extra dimension to both the Sight and Touch senses. Visually, any part of an image or logo is given a 3D boost by simply embossing it – it gives lift-off from the page just like 3D imagery does.

It also adds interest to the Touch element by offering something different from just a smooth sheet, particularly when a textured emboss is used to create multiple layers and fine details.

Embossing, being a traditional craft, gives print a really classy, high-grade feel. We believe emboss printing deserves a revival too, as it’s often bypassed in favour of Spot UV or lamination. If you want to give it a go on your next project, just call us or drop an email.

EMBOSSED PRINTING UK SERVICES FOR YOU

Here’s a few ideas for starters to help you get the best from embossed printing:

Direct mail, invitations, brochures, packaging, catalogues, folders
Highly creative, luxury promotional materials
Try a deboss (opposite of an emboss) for a unique finish
Pick out elements of an image or your logo for added impact

Our print experts on what to look out for with embossed printing:

“We can’t emphasis enough the importance of planning and consultation with experts if you’re thinking of embossing or debossing. For example, if you’re embossing a brochure cover you need to think of what’s on the other side of the cover as the emboss will show through. If you plan it right, it will work wonders for you!”

Our creative suits have a word for you too:

“We love the good old emboss. Not only does it add a touch of class, it can also be used really creatively. And because it doesn’t involve the addition of any ink or surface treatment, it won’t affect the printed colours. Use it creatively and you’ll impress your target audience beyond words!”

SWOT SPOT

Embossing works in a similar way to foil blocking, except that the die is stamped a bit harder and there is no foil involved. The die is stamped onto the sheet (from behind to create the impression, or from the front if it’s a deboss) and that’s that!

If you want to see embossed printing for yourself and compare some of the different finishes, take a look at the October leaf in our 2016 calendar. If you don’t have one to hand, just ask and we’ll post one to you right away.

You’re reading an article from the Newton Print Marketer Pro Hub. We’re trying to do our bit to help marketers’ lives easier. It’s been confirmed that marketing and design departments are the most overworked of all so it’s time that was recognised. We use our experience to help you transform your marketing with an injection of creativity and 30 years of know-how.

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