All About Paper Embossers
It has been almost a year since I launched my embosser collection! For anyone who may not be familiar with paper embossers, I wanted to answer a few basic questions about these versatile tools. Hopefully, this will demistify these—admittedly—slightly odd looking devices.
What exactly are paper embossers?
Paper embossers are devices that create a raised design on the surface of a variety of different paper types. They are fairly small, usually either hand held or desktop, and have interchangeable insert clips that are used produce different designs.
Secret tip - It is also possible to have the plates engraved so that they press an impression into the paper instead. This is called debossing.
How do they work?
In short, the embosser uses pressure to compress a sheet of paper between a set of engraved disks attached to an insert clip which is then placed into the embosser.
The disks are engraved with a design and are then attached to the insert clip in a certain orientation - more on that to come in a future post.
The insert clip is placed into the embosser and a sheet of paper is then inserted between the engraved plates so that, when pressure is applied, the plates squeeze the paper to create a raised impression.
When or on what type of projects would you use embossers?
There are a myriad of ways to put paper embossers to use. Envelope flaps, the top of a menu, as a motif in a wedding invitation suite, to make your own personal stationery, as a branding element, tags for your product, to make gift tags, to add your logo to business cards or client gifts, and more. Truly, there are seemingly endless ways to use an embossed motif - especially in stationery design and event paperie.
I also love to play around and explore using embossers on different paper types and weights - even trying surfaces besides paper. Each surface takes the embossing slightly differently and adds to the intrigue of the design.
Why would I use a paper embosser over another type of embellishment?
Paper embossers set your design apart and easily add an additional design element to a project. The raised impression is an elegant way to elevate your piece while retaining a bit of simplicity; it adds detail and intentionality without being ostentatious or too obvious.
I come from the wedding stationery world, and for me, texture was always one of my favorite elements to use to create interest and to make each invitation suite unique. While I love elements such as wax seals and silk ribbon, I tend to prefer the subtlety that an embossed element brings to a project.
Want to know more?
I plan to share more here about embossers, different projects that I have created with them, ways to use them, tips & tricks - even share some trouble that I have run into along the way. I hope that you will come back to learn more and in the meantime, please feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have or to share projects that you have done using embossers!
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