Stamping raised letters or images into paper using heat, pressure and a die, but without using foil or ink to add color to the raised areas.

Embossing and foil stamping an image in one pass through the embossing press. All embossed areas are foil stamped, and a cutting edge ensures that the foil is cleanly cut around the image area.

Lowering type or an image below the surface level of the paper.

A device used to cut or form material in a press or stamping machine.

Raising type or an image above the surface level of the paper.

The simplest and most economical foil stamping process; it does not perceptibly raise the stamped area above the surface, and usually leaves no impression on the reverse side of the sheet.

A general term for hot stamping materials, typically made of a film carrier that is coated with a release agent, a color or lacquer coat or tinted metallized aluminum, and an adhesive coat. Under heat and pressure the release agent separates the color or lacquer coat from the film carrier so it can be transferred to the surface to be stamped.

To flat stamp foil and then register emboss to foil, print or both on a second pass through the press.

The application of a Mylar-backed material to paper. A heated die is stamped onto the foil, transferring the coating to the paper.

A three-dimensional image of an object that is captured on a photographic film or plate, using a laser as a light source.

Embossing made using a very light pressure that barely raises the dimension of the paper or foil surface. Often used to capture the texture of skin or other surfaces, or to highlight portions of images.

Raising (or lowering) type or an image two levels or more above (or below) the surface of the paper.

The correct positioning of an image with regard to the edges of paper and other printing on the same sheet, especially when printing one color on another.

Raising or lowering an image with a variety of shapes, angles and edges, as opposed to flat levels. Typically used to capture organic shapes, such as the contours of a person’s face or the musculature of an animal.