B
- Bevel
- Angled edge of embossed or debossed image. Photoetched copper dies have a bevel of 35 to 45 degrees. Bevel can be specified on brass dies, usually ranging from 35 to 75 degrees.
- Blind emboss, deboss or foil stamping
- Blind refers to any operation that does not register to another process, for example, embossing to printing or embossing to foil.
- Brass
- Most suitable for multi-dimensional dies, either hand tooled or CNC milled. Not suited for acid etching like copper.
- Burnishing
- Embossing or debossing using high heat that will discolor the paper.
C
- Combination Dies
- Dies that foil stamp and emboss or foil and deboss in one press run.
- Copper
- Good for long runs, fine details and heavy coverage.
- Counter
- Mold of emboss or deboss die that makes the paper conform to the original die. Prepared by die maker or produced on press
D
- Deboss
- The process of recessing an image below the original surface of the paper. Opposite of Embossing.
- Die cut
- To cut a paper, plastic or rubber substrate using (usually) a steel rule die cutting die into a desired shape.
- Domed
- Rounded relief of embossing or debossing die
E
- Emboss
- Raising an image above the original surface of the paper. Opposite of Debossing
F
- Foil Stamping
- Transferring foil to a surface with heat and pressure.
I
- Intaglio Printing/Engraving
- Printing from plates with a recessed image that ink has been forced into. Paper is brought in contact with the plate and the ink transfers out of the recessed image. Photoetched 16 gauge copper plates are used for shorter run engraved products replacing steel
L
- Letterpress Printing
- A printing process utilizing plastic or metal die plates applying ink to a paper substrate one color at a time. Usually the desired look is to press the ink into the paper to give a more tactile quality. Think of it as printing and debossing done at the same time. Although the real deep impression desired nowadays is not how it was always done and is more of a modern trend.
M
- Magnesium
- Magnesium dies are the least expensive of the three types generally used. Shorter runs and routine commercial work can utilize magnesium dies. Magnesium dies are primarily used for flat foil stamping images and some flat single level embossing or debossing. The beveled edges of the image embossed or debossed will appear a little softer than and not quite as crisp as those produced by brass or copper dies.
R
- Register Emboss
- Embossing that fits to a printed or foil stamped image on the press sheet.
- Register Foil
- Foil stamping that fits to a printed image or foil stamped image on a press sheet.
- Rounded
- Embossing relief without an angled bevel.
S
- Score/ Crease
- To depress the paper (usually cover/ card stock) into a plastic matrix channel using a scoring rule to allow for folding and to prevent cracking.
- Sculptured Dies
- Hand tooled dies with realistic detail, 3D Like, usually brass. Just look at an image on a quarter and that is what can be accomplished using a brass die on paper products.
- Steel Rule Cutting Die
- A cutting tool created usually with a 2pt. thick metal blade bent into the desired shape and inserted into a 5/8” thick plywood sheet. Just think of it as a cookie cutter used for cutting usually paper, plastic or rubber products.