Blind deboss
A heated brass or magnesium die presses the mark into the material with no colour added. It reads as texture and light rather than as ink, and it is the most restrained option there is.
It suits leather, leatherette and saffiano, where the material has enough body to hold the impression. On thin paper it flattens rather than debosses.
Hot foil
The same die carries a foil that transfers into the impression under heat. It gives a metallic or solid-colour mark with a crisp edge, and it is the standard for a gold or silver logo.
Coverage is the thing to watch. A large solid foil area shows any unevenness in the take, so large marks are better broken up or converted to an outline.
Cold foil
Foil applied with adhesive rather than heat, printed rather than stamped. It suits long runs on flat printed stock and it can be overprinted, which hot foil cannot.
It does not give the pressed edge a hot-foil mark has, so on a wrapped box it usually reads as less expensive.
Matching the method to the material
Nap materials — velvet and suede — take a mark differently from smooth ones, because the pile springs back. A plate or a printed element usually beats a die there.
Lacquered and hard surfaces do not deboss at all; they take a plate, a print or an inlaid badge.
Artwork
Whatever the method, a vector file gives the cleanest die. Fine hairlines and small type are where a mark fails first, and we will tell you at artwork stage if something will not hold at the size you want it.
At a glance
| Method | Best on |
|---|---|
| Blind deboss | Leather, leatherette, saffiano — restrained, no colour |
| Hot foil | Wrapped boxes, metallic marks with a crisp pressed edge |
| Cold foil | Long runs on flat printed stock, can be overprinted |
| Plate or print | Velvet, suede and lacquer, where a die will not hold |
Frequently asked questions
Which looks most expensive?
Blind deboss on a good material, in most people's judgement — it reads as restraint rather than decoration.
Can you foil onto velvet?
Not reliably. The pile springs back and the mark loses its edge. A plate or a printed element is the usual answer there.
Why is a large foil logo a problem?
A large solid area shows any unevenness in the foil take. Breaking it up or converting it to an outline avoids that.
What artwork do you need?
Vector, with type outlined. We will tell you at artwork stage if a detail will not hold at the size you want.
Tell us what you need
Tell us the piece, your brand and the quantity you have in mind. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.