What’s the Difference Between Embossing and Debossing?
Embossing and debossing are printing techniques used to impress or depress images, logos, and designs onto paper. This helps add dimension to your design, allowing your product to stand out. Ink and foil can be used when embossing or debossing to help the overall design feel more branded. Embossing and debossing are often used for brochures, postcards, business cards, letterheads, and of course, packaging.
How Embossing and Debossing Work
Embossing is when you raise the logo or image to create a 3D design. A metal die is pushed into paper, card stock, or any other paper material your brand chooses to work with.
Debossing is the opposite of embossing because you’re creating an indent in the paper rather than a raised design. A metal die is stamped into the front of the material you’re using, depressing the design onto the paper. You can then fill the design with ink, or leave it as is for a simpler look.
Machine etching with either a “male die” or “female die” is the best way to achieve embossing and debossing. Embossing and debossing work well on heavier paper, so corrugated boxes and rigid set up boxes work great for this process.
Why Use Embossing and Debossing?
Many brands choose to emboss and deboss their logo or design onto their packaging because of the experience it brings customers. Embossing and debossing can make the packages you send feel more luxurious and high-quality.
Other benefits to embossing and debossing include drawing immediate attention to your brand for customers who might not have purchased from you previously. Especially for brands who sell items in brick and mortar stores, embossing and debossing help your product stand apart from competitors.
Embossing and debossing also help with brand recognition and recall. While colors and logos are known to help customers remember your brand, embossing and debossing add an extra emphasis to the design of your product. Overall, the money spent on embossing and debossing leads to a high return on investment.
Types of Embossing and Debossing
Round dies are used in embossing and debossing to create rounded corners for your design. Flat dies are also a popular option, because they create straight edges and hard shapes that work well for almost every brand’s design. Beveled dies are useful for deep embossing, which helps add dimension to the design and creates a multi-layer look. Blind embossing and debossing are a more subtle form of embossing and debossing, creating delicate designs in the paper that have no colored ink added. Check out this blind embossing job GCB Solutions created for Jack Daniel’s!
GCB Solutions has the packaging industry experience to help you through shifting trends. Whether you are beginning the design process or looking to make that final push to launch, we can help.
Call us at (904) 263-2804 or schedule a free consultation, today!