The Best Embosser

Buying Guide

Have ever really wanted to make your mark — not making an impact, but a literal mark? If that’s the case, what you need is an embosser. This is a small gadget that is similar to a handheld press. Often made of metal, it consists of two flat plates, between which you insert the item you want to emboss — or make a mark on. This can be paper, napkins, thin plastic, leather or other material.

When you press down and bring the plates together, you leave a mark on the object you’re embossing. The mark can consist of an image or logo or text or a combination of both. Embossing isn’t done with ink like a stamp; instead, it’s done by making an imprint using the embosser that creates a raised image on your material.

Embossers are used widely by people in many professions, including engineers, architects, notaries, wedding planners and others. In some cases, the embossing is done for a professional purpose. For example, architects have to emboss their documents and drawings to prove they have worked on them. In wedding planning, they may emboss invitation envelopes with the name of the couple as a decorative touch.

When selecting an embosser, the first question to ask yourself is what you’ll use it for. For example, will you be embossing paper, leather or another material? This will determine the type of embosser you need. In addition, you’ll have to determine what you will be embossing: Do you want to include your full name, an address, a logo, the date or some other information?

• The aesthetic is an important part of embossing. How do you want the imprint you’re making to look? Do you like modern typefaces or traditional calligraphy? How does the look of the imprint work with your other materials? For example, if you’re embossing napkins for a wedding, does the lettering match the lettering on the invitations?
• If you want to emboss items and add color or shimmer, then you need a heat embosser. This is a different gadget than a dry embosser. With a heat embosser, you need to use an embossing ink and an embossing powder. This process uses heat to melt the powder and ink to create a three-dimensional imprint that has a unique texture and look. Heat embossing is similar to stamping but has a raised look.
• Once you’ve embossed a material, you can’t un-emboss it. While you could try to smooth it out, it’s likely the imprint is permanent. That’s why it’s important to be careful and take time to decide whether you will emboss the material and where you will emboss it. You’ll also want to consider which way the embosser is facing to ensure the text or image is the right side up on the material. For example, if you’re embossing stationary with your name, you don’t want it to turn out upside down.
• If you need to emboss for work, it’s possible you may require a portable embosser. You can find pocket versions of notary embossers that are small and light enough to take with you in a bag to visit a client or to carry to and from your workplace.