Embossing Leather

Embossing and Debossing are two techniques used to either impress or depress an image into leather.  Both of these terms stem from the printing industry.  It is a plated print process which either leaves a raised portion on the surface, or creates an indent.  Embossing Leather follows the same processes.

Deboss

Debossing is when an image (logo, text, etc.) is imprinted into your leather piece, creating a depressed effect.  Often a foil is used to further accentuate the debossed image; gold and silver coloured foils are the most readily available.  All foils have a heat activated glue on the back helping the foil to adhere to the leather.

Normally a debossing plate is created by a platemaker, this is then mounted in a special machine as the 'top plate' and the 'base' plate is setup to help position the item perfectly for the deboss to occur.

Embossing Leather is often a deboss process, but is referred to as 'embossing'

Emboss

An emboss is creating a raised image on the leather from artwork.  This is a 'male/female' process normally with two moulding dies.  An upper and lower die are used to press the leather in between, once released from the mould a raised image is left.