EMBOSSING Quick Guide

Preparation

Embossing / Debossing can be accomplished by laser cutting a design or shapes out of Grey Board or Mount Board. Laser cutting is a process we offer to students and more info can be found by clicking the button below

Note

There are two options when embossing. Wet and dry embossing: The advantage of wet embossing is you get a more defined print, whereas a dry emboss gives a more subtle and less obvious look

If you are doing a dry emboss skip the sections that include water

Embossing Steps

1. Make sure you bring your designs pre-cut, this can be done in laser cutting.

2. Add room temperature water to the white tray using the black bucket (You can use the shower, at the end of the hall)

3. Select your preferred printing paper and use the edge of a ruler to tear to desired size using your artwork as a reference. 'Bread & Butter paper' works well and may be supplied by a technician on request.

4. Now fully submerge your paper into the water. Use the trays for larger paper sizes.

5. The ‘bread and butter’ paper must be soaked in the water for around 10 minutes.

6. Lift paper from the tray trying not to drip water anywhere other than the tray. Hold above tray by its corner until drips stop.

7. Using the blotting paper dry your printing paper. Dry by pressing (not rubbing or patting) the paper.

8. Ensure all water has gone by holding up to the light. If you can see spots of water glimmer, then dry again.

9. Place paper on the drying rack or somewhere safe while you prepare your laser cut / design for embossing.

10. Place your laser cut design on the printing press, then cover with a sheet of tissue paper (this ensures you don’t transfer laser cut burn marks onto your paper)

11. Now using the line guides for alignment place your paper on top of the laser cut design and tissue paper.

12. Fold the blanket over the top, half at a time carefully to ensure you don't nudge your paper of stencil. Flatten the swan skin (blanket) gently using the palm of your hands.

13. Now, Wind the press wheel slowly towards you (don't steer like a ship) until you feel it stop. If the press is too easy, lower the weight, if it’s too hard to wind, reduce roller tension 'equally' using the 2 clamp grips.

14. After rolling through the press, lift a corner to see if your print requires another pass. If the tension of the press seems ok and your print is still faint you may need to tighten the press slightly.

15. You can now either dry your work over night by placing between the MDF boards (this will help wet paper to dry flat) or leave to dry naturally on the drying rack. Paper can always be flattened using the weight of the boards at a later date if you require a flatter result.

That's it, you're done!