Debossing and foiling
How debossing and foiling work
A metal die is cut to the shape of the design, heated, and pressed into the material under pressure. The material compresses and holds the impression, so the mark is recessed below the surface. On its own that is debossing: there is no ink and no colour, only the shape and the shadow it casts.
Foiling is the same press with a roll of coloured or metallic foil between the die and the material. The heat releases the foil from its carrier where the die touches, so the recess is filled with gold, silver or a solid colour. Both need a die made for the design at that size, which is a once-off cost.
What debossing and foiling suit
Debossing and foiling suit soft, compressible materials and the front covers of things people carry into meetings. They are the quietest of the methods when left bare and the loudest when foiled, and both read as more considered than a print.
Products and materials it works on
- PU and leather notebooks, diaries and folders
- Wallets, card holders and luggage tags
- Leather keyrings and coasters
- Rigid gift boxes and packaging
- Bold, simple marks rather than fine detail
Lead time, minimum quantity and artwork
- Lead time
- Confirmed with your quote, against stock and quantity
- Minimum quantity
- Depends on the product and the branding method
- Artwork
- Vector artwork (AI, EPS or PDF) in a single colour. Thin lines and small type fill in as the material compresses around the die, so the design usually needs a little weight adding to it. A die is made per design at each size it is used.
Other branding methods
Embroidery
Screen printing
Laser engraving
Sublimation
Pad printing
Digital printing
Doming and badges
Vinyl heat transfer
Pen branding
Ask us to price your order
Add the products you want to a quote list, tell us the quantity and how you want them branded, and we come back with pricing. Nothing on this site carries a price because every job is costed on the product, the quantity and the decoration.