Embossers can add an elegant touch to any application. But there are also some challenges to making effective embossed designs. Because of these challenges, we’re allowing only suitable Creators to publish new embosser designs. 

Ideal designs will allow people to personalize their embosser according to their needs (using template options), but also follow some basic rules that should ensure the best results.

We’ll be reviewing all submissions to ensure all designs are following these guidelines.

 

Embossing Rules in Brief

A quick overview of guidance around embosser designs.

Type	Photos	Fine Lines and  Density
Type that is too small to work well across a variety of paper types will be rejected.	95% of the time, embossed photographs are not going to look good. If you do use an element generated from a photo that looks reasonable, please do not make it a template object.	Extremely narrow and/or dense elements will not emboss well and are likely to be rejected.

 

Core Concepts

How Embossers Work

Embossers work by pressing paper between two engraved die plates. Paper is squeezed between a male plate, with the design projecting out of the base layer, and a corresponding female plate with a mirror image of that same design projected into the base layer.

Elements that can affect the appearance of the final result:

• Paper thickness
• Paper type
• Force applied by the user when pressing the die
• Design density
• Design element size and thickness

 

Portions of the paper will be raised or
"embossed" from the surface of the paper to give an aesthetically dimensional texture.

 

Because the male plate must fit into the female plate, the design etched into the female plate needs to be slightly expanded to accommodate the thickness of the paper. This expansion will reduce the fidelity of that design and, in particular, fill in and bridge negative space and small details.

 

Detail from a male plate design (left), the corresponding, expanded female plate design (middle), and the two overlaid (right)

 

Level of Detail

Slightly thicker lines and wider spacing can make a big difference in how well a design will emboss.

We were delighted to see that extremely small elements could show up in the finished emboss. But an additional concern is the density of that detail around the smaller details. In our Zazzle dots pattern, even very small dots do show up, but that is in part because there is ample space around those elements.

 

 

Text Considerations

As you might expect,  the limitations of finer detail can be a serious issue with print and typography. Bridging of letters and loss of detail, particularly in script-y typefaces is very common. Distressed fonts may not work at all. Because of this, text-heavy designs will be problematic. The use of sans-serif fonts, particularly at smaller sizes will help reduce these issues. 

Tip!
You may also consider using abbreviations and otherwise shortening text for your designs. ‘NC’ can use a larger size than ‘North Carolina’  Stylistically, embossers are popularly used with initials, monograms, and seals with limited text components.

 

Paper Weights

One of the most critical factors in successfully designing an embosser is one you’ll have the least control over: the paper.  

If you're placing an order for yourself, you may be able to get away with a more ornate and elaborate design. But for designs in the marketplace that any customer would buy, we’d encourage playing things a little safe in terms of density and detail. 

In general, heavyweight strokes, larger, bolder fonts, and more spacing between design elements will transfer better to more kinds of paper. Lighter details may not reproduce well on thicker stock

In this example. the same embossed design was applied to two different paper stocks. Lighter weight stock on the left and heavier weight stock on the right. More detail is visible in the image on the left because the lighter weight paper is less thick.

 

We’ve compiled a comparison of designs and how they rendered in various stocks available. This shows designs from intricate to simple and paper weight so you get a good idea what can work and what won’t. You may view a larger version of this image here.

 

Embosser Limitations

Customize Options

Due to the intricate design restrictions on these embossers, we’re having you publish designs because you are better able to account for the limitations of this process than the average customer with no experience of embossing. Using text/logo template options will allow the customer to enter their details without compromising the design quality. 

When publishing, you must set the “Customize it” button to “No.”

 

Type

Typographic elements smaller than 9pt will be illegible and can’t be accepted. 

Hairline and script fonts smaller than 13pt are also strongly discouraged and also won’t be accepted. 

 

Photographs and Photo Content

Embossed photographs are almost never going to look good. 

 

You may be able to make a photo look great, but you are an experienced designer. Most people coming to the site won’t have your level of skill and talent, and so if you do make a photo into a templated object, it’s likely not going to come out as desired and will result in a customer return. 

While it's a given that photos are generally going to turn out unusable, we won’t prevent you from publishing with image template objects for graphic or illustrated elements only (i.e. high-contrast logos or monograms).

 

Fine lines & Density

Unfortunately, we don’t have easy cut & dry rules for what will and won’t work here. In general, narrow, densely detailed designs will be problematic and are more likely to be rejected.

 

Thank you for your help with bringing more solid Embosser designs onto the Marketplace.

 

Are you interested in offering Embossers in your Zazzle store? Simply register your interest here to apply.