Book Cover printing

More specialist techniques for certain book covers:

Embossing (i.e. Goosebumps books)

Embossing refers to the creation of an impression of some kind of design, decoration, lettering or pattern on another surface like paper, cloth, metal and even leather, to make a relief. In regular printing or an engraving, plates are pressed against the surface to leave an imprint. In embossing however, the pressing raises the surfaces adding a new dimension to the object.
Embossing is an elegant process that changes the nature of the material that has been embossed. More often than not it elevates the standard and quality of the product. A notary’s embossed seal can give much weight to a regular piece of paper. Similarly, an embossed wedding card immediately changes the entire meaning conveyed by the invitation. The recipient is informed not only about the wedding but also that it is going to be a high profile wedding and an elegant ceremony.

Embossing thus makes things more beautiful than they originally are. The simplest of object can become pieces of art worthy of the highest praise by using a technique as easy as embossing. Of course, how good an embossed object looks depends entirely on the quality of embossing. Poor quality embossing can completely kill the appeal of an object. However, good quality embossing can make an object positively breathtaking.

Embossing involves the creation of an impression by placing the dies in contact with the stock under high pressure. Different kinds of paper show different kinds of embossed effects. There are also many different kinds of embossing that can be done like blind embossing, tint embossing and glazing to achieve different results. The process of embossing is relatively inexpensive and has many uses.

Embossing is used for aesthetic purposes as well as functional uses in industries. From embossing names on credit cards to embossed Braille books for the blind, embossing has a wide range of applications and uses.

Thus, embossing is a technique that adds elegance and sensuality to any paper or surface.

Process
The process of embossing is extremely simple and cost effective. It is one of the cheapest ways to enhance the look and feel of any surface be it paper, cloth or metal even. There are several things that need to be attended to in an embossing project. The metal dies to be used, the surface to be used, the creation of the artwork and the embossing details of course.

Types Of Metal Embossing Dies
There are three types of metals that are used for embossing dies. Depending on the shape of the image, the texture to be created and the length of the run you can select the metal.
• Magnesium dies are used for easy embossing projects that have short runs. The designs are large and uncomplicated. Magnesium also allows for special hand tooling.
• Brass dies are the most popular embossing dies. They are very flexible and give the embosser leeway to create fine lines, sculptured images, combo foil stamping and embossing. They are also very good for images requiring extensive hand tooling. You can make brass dies by machines or by a semi-photographic process. The photograph is transferred onto the die to use as a guide for drawing.
• Copper dies are used as an in between to magnesium and brass. However copper dies do not permit hand tooling.

Choosing The Right Paper For Embossing
Paper textures play an important role in embossing. Sometimes clients select a texture paper and use embossing to smooth out the paper where it is least expected. At other time a smooth paper is used but the emboss is textured for a stunning finish.
Heavy, long fibered sheets make the best kind of paper for embossing. Lightweight, heavy coated or varnished papers are not good for embossing because they crack easily. Also recycled paper is to be avoided for embossing. In general the more processed a paper is the weaker it becomes and cannot withstand the pressures of embossing.

The depth and the degree of bevel achieved are determined by the stock. A thicker stock can offer more dramatic embossing effects because the impression can push deeper into the paper and varying levels of relief become possible.

Preparing The Art Work For Embossing
It is very important to keep the following things in mind when preparing art for embossing.
• Avoid too many fine details and tiny criss cross lines. Keep the design uncluttered and bold.
• When using lettering use sans serif fonts and space them so that there is enough space between each letter to allow for the embossing effect.
• Increase the size of the art slightly to compensate for the added dimension.
• For multi level embossing it is best to use color codes to indicate the various levels.
• Keep the image area at least .25 inches away from the edge of an oversized sheet to avoid puckering or wrinkling. If the embossing is being done on a finished project, keep a .5 margin.

The Processes
There are different types of embossing processes that can be used.

In one type of process, the embossing dies come into contact with the wet pulp or damp paper under high pressure. This creates a raised surface. One way of embossing paper is to place the selected die directly onto a freshly pulled sheet and let the sheet dry on the mould. However, it is far more common and effective to impress an item into the sheet under pressure.

Another method of embossing involves using ready-made paper and running it through a printing press. The paper is dampened and pressed against a block or plate prepared by the embosser. Handmade, machine made and mould made papers all withstand this technique gracefully with fantastic embossing effects.

Thus, embossing is a fairly simple process that takes elegance to new heights.

Uses
Embossing is the process whereby a new dimension is added to any surface, which can be pressed upon. This new raised dimension could be a design, pattern, lettering, logo, seal or anything at all. The surface could be anything on which you can press and leave an impression. Paper is the most popular surface for embossing but cloth, wood, glass, tiles and even terra cotta pots can be embossed upon.

Embossing is an elegant process that adds aesthetic appeal to the object. It also has many functional uses.

Aesthetic / Commercial Uses Of Embossing
• Embossing is commonly used to make paper objects like cards, letter writing paper and envelops, thank you notes, paper gift bags and other kinds of stationery. With just a small-embossed design the paper objects become very appealing and sell for more.
• Embossing is a great method for personalizing gifts like a leather wallet or diary. The name or a message can be embossed on the gift to make the recipient feel extra special.
• Embossed fabrics are very popular with women not only for curtains and cushion covers but also to design fashionable clothing to wear. Velvet evening gowns with an intricate emboss are fit to be work to the Oscars.

Functional / Industrial Uses Of Embossing
• Business cards are probably one of the largest applications of embossing used in the corporate world. Embossed letterheads, cards and office stationery are often used by large corporations to portray a professional and yet elegant look.
• Embossing is also used for the publishing of Braille symbols and books for the blind. This use of embossing alone puts the technique in a class of its own.
• Another popular use of embossing is in credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards and other membership cards and forms of identification. The name and date of birth of the individual are embossed onto the card in just a few minutes to expedite the entire membership process.
• The advertising and marketing industry is also a fan of embossing. It is a popular style used for promotional materials. It is also a popular way to imprint brand names on freebies and giveaways so that the brand name is present in an unobtrusive way.
• Embossing on fabric is also very popular. The textile industry uses embossing for everything from curtains, drapes, cushion covers and bed spreads to shirts, dresses, caps and casual wear as well.
• Embossing is also popularly used on bookbindings of classic leather bound books. In fact between the Civil war and World War I editions of the bible and other valuable books were sold in two versions – the embossed and the unembossed. The former obviously sold for a better price.

Thus, there are many uses of embossing. In fact embossing is a technique that simply requires a surface. You don’t need a reason to emboss something. Just do it to make it look prettier than it already is!

Techniques
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. Embossing without ink, so that the image is raised but not colored, is called "blind embossing." Embossing used in conjunction with ink, so that the raised area is colored, is called "color register embossing." Embossing used in conjunction with foil stamping is called "combination stamping" or "combo stamping."

Embossing involves a separate stage in the production process, after any varnishing and laminating. It requires a separate press run, and is priced accordingly. In addition to being used as a design element, embossing can be used to improve the performance of paper products like napkins, diapers, and tissue paper.

Foil blocking
Foil blocking has been developed using the letterpress principle. A male block is produced using zinc, magnesium, copper or brass. These are process engraved.
The block is heated on press and a metallic or coloured foil is branded on to the material. Foiled logos are incorporated into many corporate identities, used especially on corporate invitations, business cards, letter headings and compliment slips.

Foiling & Embossing
Foiling and embossing can be used on the same image, firstly foiled and then embossed. Again logos are incorporated into many corporate identities, used especially on corporate invitations, business cards, letter headings and compliment slips.

A highly cost effective way to add metallic colour to all or part of printed products.
Fully compatible with laser printers.
Ideal for Invitations, business cards, letter headings and compliment slips ect.
We can print to order on any thickness of material.
Ideal for use in conjunction with thermography, embossing and lithography.

Foil stamping, typically a commercial print process, is the application of pigment or metallic foil, often gold or silver , but can also be various patterns or what is known as pastel foil which is a flat opaque color or white special film-backed material, to paper where a heated die is stamped onto the foil, making it adhere to the surface leaving the design of the die on the paper. Foil stamping can be combined with embossing to create a more striking 3D image.

Foil stamping machines, also known as hot foil stampers, use heat to transfer metallic foil to a solid surface. Examples of items that are foil stamped include pencils, napkins, matchbooks, photographs and books. The foil stamp is a permanent process. These machines are popular with wedding businesses, photography studios and other businesses that need to brand or mark products.

A similar machine, called a foil fuser, creates a similar look in a process called foil fusing in which foil is fused to printer toner by means of heat.