Have you ever find yourself getting confused about how to present your products to the market appealingly? Or perhaps you are figuring out the best way to increase your brand’s visibility amongst other competitors? Without you realizing it, you can do these tasks with your product packaging. Yes, you read it right! Your product packaging can do more wonders than you think before. In this regard, you will have to understand what are embossing and debossing on product packaging. Let’s have a closer look!
Debossing Vs Embossing – The Different Processes
To wisely choose between debossing vs embossing, you will have to, at least get a light idea about both techniques. In addition, it will be a good idea to know about the processes and the best use of the techniques. So, let’s start exploring!
What Is the Embossing Technique?
Both embossing and debossing are two techniques used to emboss or press an image onto paper. These popular printing effects are ideal for giving your product packaging a fresh and modern look. Combined with other effects such as the foil stamping technique, the embossed design can turn a standard piece into a luxurious piece.
The Embossing Process
In theory, the first stage of the embossing process is the production of a die which consists of two metal plates (front and back) that surround the paper. The printer creates a die by manually tooling, milling, or photo-etching an image that is embossed on two metal plates.
In the next process, the printer will place the material between the front and back of the die surface. Then, the stamp will be pressed onto the paper under the pressure and heat. This process will result in a relief of the entire image. This entire process is known as blind embossing as the embossed image will not be colored with ink. That is, just lift and lower it from the paper.
For embossing, the commercial printers use two main ones. What are they?
Die and paper
“Die” is a personalized metal sheet that is cut into an image to be embossed. The die will then be pushed into the material like a stamp, lifting the image slightly from the printed paper. Eventually, the die can be formed in a single-level or multi-level. In the end, this will raise the image to a certain height or depth at a single level. You can eventually create a more complex embossing or debossing with multi-level embossing. The result will be a 3D effect that emphasizes a specific design area. Company logos, custom illustrations, initials, or patterns are often embossed for a classy and elegant effect.
Where to Apply the Embossing Technique?
When most people think about embossing, they might think about improving the effect on paper, such as business cards, greeting cards, custom packaging, and invitations. However, the embossing technique will also work properly on other materials as well.
What Is the Debossing Technique?
The debossing technique is basically the opposite of the embossing technique. Debossing creates an indentation effect by debossing an image (logo, text, and so on) on printed matter. Just the same method in embossing, you can choose to leave the debossed area in one piece. Or else, you can also fill it with ink or foil stamps.
Unlike embossing, the debossing technique will not affect the back side of the printed matter. Thus, you can work on both sides of your packaging. You can use this technique exclusively or combine it with the embossing technique.
Things to Consider from Embossing and Debossing Techniques
When it comes to choosing and applying embossing or debossing techniques, there are some important considerations. For example, you should note that not all images can be embossed here. Thus, spending a little time designing your product packaging can save you money and time in the long run. Note the points below to make your brand logo pop up!
Start with Vector Graphics
If you will work with a packaging supplier, consider asking the designers to submit the final design as a vector file. This way, they can transfer the file easily to an embossing machine. Why? Because the vector graphics consist of mathematical rules. This will allow you to grow or shrink in size without sacrificing quality.
Select the Ideal Part of Your Packaging Design
The embossing technique will look great with text, logos, single images, small patterns, and decorations. There are no strict rules, actually. However, both embossing and debossing techniques will look best when used as an accent.
For example, you can add a sense of luxury by embossing the repeating elements across the sides of your candle boxes. Or else, you can follow the packaging trends to make your cigarette boxes look more exclusive. Check out the details here!
The Latest Trends For Cigarette Boxes What To Look Out
Simple Graphics Will Work Perfectly
The embossing and debossing technique literally adds dimensions to a 2D image. This way, the two techniques will actually look best with simple artwork. Why?
The embossing process will shade, color, or display the artwork. Thus, it might result in distorted results if you use crowded graphics. Instead, simple graphics will work perfectly. For multi-level embossing, remember that the deepest areas should be the largest part of the packaging design. In fact, if you apply the embossing technique too deeply into a small part of the design, the paper will be easily torn apart.
Yes, you need to save deep embossing for a larger section of the artwork. To get better results, you should consider using heavier paper. The most effective embossed parts use detailed dies and heavy paper stock. This will help you bring out the depth and details of embossed images or text.
Focus On the Back of the Printed Packaging as Embossing Affects the Design of This Area
It might make the embossing technique a restriction. On the other hand, this technique will allow you to add a really amazing look to your product packaging.
Whether you choose the embossing or debossing technique, it will create printed matter that stands. For example, you can get beautiful pillow boxes that look more trendy with the embossing technique. Or else, you can create lovely wedding invitations that embody an elegant day. Yes, the cost of the two techniques can be a bit different from a standard print job. However, at the end of the day, you will see that they are worth it in serving their intended purpose. Most importantly, the techniques will make your product packaging look more impressive.
What Are Embossing and Debossing? What Benefits of Using Each Technique?
As mentioned above, both embossing and debossing are custom printing techniques aimed at adding 3D depth to the product. The main difference is that the embossed box design will be raised from the original surface. On the other hand, the debossed box design is lowered from the original surface.
What’s more, the process of embossing and debossing is almost the same. The only thing that makes them different is that the embossing is achieved by pushing the material from below. Both embossing and debossing are usually done on the same material, such as paper, paperboard, cardboard, kraft, corrugated, or rigid. Keep in mind that you should not try to apply both techniques to heat-sensitive materials.
The Benefits of Using the Embossing Technique
When you use the embossing technique, you can:
- Create a 3D design that stands out from the surface
- Easily apply foil stamping to the embossed designs
- Record finer details than the debossing technique
The Benefits of Using the Debossing Technique
When you use the debossing technique, you can:
- Create dimensional depth in your packaging design
- Easily apply ink to the debossed design
- The debossing technique is usually cheaper than the embossing technique
Debossing Vs Embossing – Reasons to Use Them
Indeed, you will always want to get benefits from every single activity your business does. When it comes to choosing debossing vs embossing, both techniques offer convincing reasons to use them.
Even better, the two techniques will help a lot in achieving your marketing and branding goals, including:
- Getting immediate attention and product differentiation
- Delivering an unforgettable experience for your target customers
- Helping to provide a higher cognitive value (brand awareness)
- Improving Return on Investment (ROI)
Wrapping Up
Overall, using finishing techniques such as embossing and debossing is an easy way to enhance branding. In the end, both embossing and debossing techniques will let you take your packaging design to the next level. So, are you ready to make your product packaging look more exclusive? Surely, now you don’t need to ask again about what are embossing and debossing techniques.
Have a great day!
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