Embossing – tradition meets modern style in personalised design
Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 08:18
At nPhoto, there are plenty of ways to make your products stand out - laser etching (engraving), UV Print, gilding, and more. One technique that’s been around for ages but never loses its charm is embossing on leatherettes. It’s a subtle, elegant way to personalise Photo Albums and Photo Books, adding a touch of timeless sophistication without overwhelming your design.
How it works
Embossing (hot-stamped lettering) is one of the oldest ways to personalise products. The technique uses heat and foil to press the design into the surface, creating a subtle, stylish debossed effect.
The process begins with the bookbinder arranging words from individual letters. Each letter sits on a small brass block, ready to be pressed into the surface.
How the design takes shape
The key part of each brass block is the post. On its front surface sits the “face,” shaped like the letter or symbol to be printed. The flat part of this face, called the “matrix,” is what transfers the design during the stamping process.
How everything lines up perfectly
The secret is in the spacing. Each letter block has carefully measured gaps between the face and its edges. These spaces allow text to be set without manual adjustment and ensure perfectly even spacing between characters.
Precision is key throughout the entire process. The blocks are pressed into the surface at a high temperature of around 114 °C (237 °F), and the whole impression takes just 4 seconds.
This technique is especially recommended for anyone who values minimalism and classic style. Hot-stamped lettering, with its clean simplicity, adds a tasteful, subtle touch to photo albums and books. It can stand alone as an elegant finish or serve as understated personalization - always refined, never over the top.
Embossing comes in multiple colours
You often ask which colour combinations work best, or which shades suit different products. Here’s a selection to inspire you - timeless, stylish, and versatile. Hopefully, you’ll spot a favourite among them.
FAQ: Personalising with Embossing
We’ve noticed a lot of questions lately about embossing, so we decided to answer the most common ones. After reading this, you’ll not only understand what this lettering style is, but also see some ideas for using it creatively.
What size are the letters? Is the text always the same size?
The letters are consistently 0.5 cm (about 0.2 in) tall, keeping the text neat and uniform.
What font are the letters?
We always use Lithos Pro for embossing, a clean and classic font that works well for subtle personalisation.
Can special characters be included?
Yes! Special characters like @ or & can be used, allowing for more creative or personalised messages.
How many characters can a line have?
A single line of text can contain up to 25 characters, including spaces, ensuring a balanced and visually appealing layout.
Why is the lettering only available on leatherettes?
This technique works best with the natural properties of leatherettes-mainly its rubber content-which allows for a precise, clean impression.
Can I choose the exact placement of the lettering?
Yes. There are currently seven placement options: five on the front and two on the back (depending on the product).
Why are there only four colours available?
Originally, the palette focused on classic options: gold, black, silver, and red. Based on feedback, additional colours have been introduced, giving you more ways to personalise your products.
Does the lettering have to be a specific colour?
Our embossing can also be done without any colour fill, leaving just the impression in the material. We think it looks just as elegant this way.
.
Embossing is a versatile and durable way to personalise products, giving them a distinctive, individual touch. With 11 colours now available at nPhoto, it’s a simple and stylish way to make your creations truly your own - why not give it a try?
