PRINTING & EMBOSSING

The use of relief engraving (done on wood) and intaglio (done on metal) to produce patterns on for print has evidence dating back centuries. This typically involved engraving the images or text being produced on a block of wood or a panel of metal, and in reverse.  Rembrandt was well known for his intaglio engravings and etchings, which he used to create prints, particularly in the 1640′s.  In the 19th century, relief-engraved boxwood was the method of choice for producing magazines with large circulations, and although wood engraving as a reproductive (rather than artistic) technique has been displaced by advances in printing technology, wood engraving is still used to create bookplates and limited edition fine art prints.

Embossing is the process of creating a three-dimensional image or design in paper. It is typically accomplished with a combination of heat and pressure on the paper. This is achieved by using a metal die (female) usually made of brass and a counter die (male) that fit together and squeeze the fibers of the paper. There are different ways of producing male and female dies used to create the impression, one of which is hand engraving.