What is engraving? What’s the difference between engraving and embossing?

What is the difference between embossing and debossing?

What is the largest area I can engrave?

Does engraving work well with type?

Can I engrave a solid block of color?

Can I engrave on both the front and the back of my stationery?

What is the best type of paper finish for engraving?

What can’t be engraved?

Can I engrave a 4/color image?

What is burnishing?

Do engraving inks look the same as offset inks when printed?

What is raised printing?

What is laser thermography?

Will engraving melt in my laser printer?

Does engraving cost more than other techniques?

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Engraving is an image stamped with ink under tremendous pressure. Embossing is an image stamped without ink.
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Embossing creates a raised impression. Debossing creates a depressed image in the paper.
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The size of the die is 5” x 9.” The maximum image-area of the die is 4.25” x 8.25.” Generally, if you specify one ink color and place your imagery within the specified image area, your run will require one pass through the die-stamping press. Multiple dies can be combined for additional colors or for engraving different areas on a page.
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Engraving is ideal for type. Small font sizes and serif fonts work especially well. Engraving accentuates the most intricate and detailed typestyles.
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When dealing with solid blocks (usually 1/4” to 1/2”) a screen is usually placed in the image to provide even ink coverage. A solid area left unscreened results in a textured image that looks like stucco. If you desire to achieve a special effect, you should consult with your engraver early in the process.
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When artwork is engraved and turned over, an impression of the reversed image is sometimes visible. Generally, if two sides of the paper contain words or images, consider offset printing for one side and engraving for the other.
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Engraving requires extreme force when stamping an image onto paper. Select a paper stock that can withstand this pressure. A wove finish paper is ideal for engraving. A laid finish paper may cause the engraved image to feather the ink; test it first. Coated papers are susceptible to cracking. Adjustments may be made on press to accommodate the wide variety of papers available; discuss special requirements with us beforehand.
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Engraving is not suitable for every design although it can be combined with other processes to create unique effects. Engraving inks are completely opaque, enabling engraved images to sit on top of an offset image and hold its true color. What’s surprising is how many things can be engraved. If you have an idea you want to explore, call us and we’ll tell you if and how it can be done.
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No, but you can engrave on a 4/color process image. Consult with your engraver early in the process for special ink considerations.
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Burnishing is a process generally used to smooth metallic inks. When an ink is burnished, the paper is run through the press, first with metallic ink and then again with the same, inkless die. An unburnished metallic ink lacks an extra level of luster and polish that some applications require.
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Offset inks are partially absorbed by the paper. On the other hand, engraving inks are completely opaque. If the inks are to match perfectly from process to process, consult with your engraver regarding a special ink match.
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Another term for raised printing is thermography. After offset printing, a resin powder is applied to the paper. This powder sticks only to the still tacky ink printed on the paper, which is then passed through a heater. The powder fuses to the ink and swells as it is heated to create raised letters and images. Most thermography powders will re-melt when run through a laser printer. Therefore, thermography is generally not recommended for letterheads or envelopes. In these instances, laser thermography is recommended.
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In laser thermography, two finishes are applied after offset printing. The first powder is to create that raised affect. The second powder is used to seal the image. This prevents additional melting when the paper feeds through the laser printer. Testing is always recommended first.
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No, engraving is 100% guaranteed to stand up to the extreme heat in all of today’s laser printers.
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It depends. The price of engraving versus offset printing depends on the number of colors, the placement of the artwork, the number of impressions and the size of the run. What’s interesting is that engraving can actually cost less for short-run jobs.
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