Foiling and Embossing Workshop

Embossing/Debossing

Embossing and debossing are the processes of creating either raised or recessed relief images and designs in paper and other materials. An embossed pattern is raised against the background, while a debossed pattern is sunken into the surface of the material.

The Embossing Process

• Submerge stock in water for up to one minute depending on weight.
• Place stock between blotting paper.
• Rolling pin over the paper to remove excess moisture.
• Take stock and materials to etching press.
• Ensure there is a tissue paper base layer.
• Place materials on base layer in desired composition.
• Paper goes down over the top of materials.
• Supply more tissue paper on top as well as press blanket.
• Always use two hands when using the press.
• Put content through the press.
• Holt the wheel when passed through.
• Take embossed matter out of the press.

Points of Consideration

• Don't put thick wood through the press, nor metal. Always confirm eligible materials. 
• Always check before using hard materials.
• Laser cut shapes work really well
• Tissue paper is supplied between all elements as to not transfer char marks from laser-cut matter.

Foiling 

Foiling or foil stamping is the typically commercial printing process by which a metallic finish is applied to a solid surface via the application of a heated dye onto foil making it permanently adhere to the surface below leaving the design of the dye.

The industry standard process features large scale machinery and mechanical functionality to achieve perfectly foiled results. This process requires somewhat extensive manual set-up and can therefore be expensive - especially for a limited print run.

Not too dissimilar from the commercial process, foiled printed matter can also be achieved via the reaction between gold foil and laser-printed toner-pigment or printed Texiflock adhesive when introduced to a source of heat - such as a heat press or lamination device.

The Foiling Process (laser-print method)

• Using a laser-printer, print out design to be foiled in black. Any/all black information will be that which is foiled.
• Place foil shiny side up over design, ensuring total coverage.
• Sandwich design and foil between thick card/grey board.
• Place matter in heat press for 10 seconds.
• Remove design and leave to cool.
• Peel foil from design. 

The Foiling Process (Texiflock method)

• Using a textiles screen, prepare the screen by exposing design using laser printed matter following the screen preparation process.
• Screen print design using Texiflock as medium.
• Wait for texiflock to dry.
• Place foil shiny side up over design, ensuring total coverage.
• Sandwich design and foil between thick card/grey board.
• Place matter in heat press for 10 seconds.
• Remove design and leave to cool.
• Peel foil from design.

Having knowledge of these processes will undoubtedly allow for me to further my practice in that it provides me with additional finishes to consider when producing work. As my practice is ultimately concerned with luxury and how finishes can enhance visual appeal to high-end products and materials - adding these processes to my design arsenal will enable me to create more diverse resolutions and add further considered relevancy of outcomes.