EMBOSSING

Embossing is a technique of creating a relief pattern on the surface of a material (most often leather, but also fabric or paper) by pressing a heated shaped die or stamp under pressure. The design is not applied with dye but 'pushed' into the material itself, so it is tangible to the touch and does not wear off like print. Embossing on leather has an ancient craft tradition: it decorated belts, wallets, book covers, footwear and accessories, imitating textures (for example, 'reptile') or applying ornaments and monograms. This technique adds a sense of quality, depth and status detail to a piece. Embossing can be blind (without colour) or with foil — gold or silver.