Micro embossing: Embossing effects for your labels

Tell your story through finishes

With the right finishes you can create unique and striking effects on your labels. Used correctly, they add depth to packaging by enhancing its elements with textures and special effects. Tactile finishes, such as dry embossing and embossing, turn your labels into a hands-on experience. If you want to maximize the potential of your labels, consider how finishes can really make a difference.

Hot foil embossing is perfect for giving an especially premium look to labels. It combines the tactile component of dry embossing with the visual appeal of hot stamping. By deforming the material and applying a glossy hot foil, dynamic visual effects given by the interplay of light and shadow can be created.

Micro embossing

For some time now, we at etichetta.it have not only been offering hot embossing but have also expanded our range of high-quality finishes to include micro embossing. This innovative technique, also known as micro-embossing, allows for striking visual effects. Similar to hot embossing, micro-embossing also requires specially made tools. We asked an expert to explain more about its potential.

The expert interview

The tools we use to make micro embossing are made by Hinderer + Mühlich, a world-leading manufacturer of printing dies.
We chatted with Sascha Dremel, H+M’s Business Development Manager and micro embossing expert, who told us more.

What materials are your embossing tools made of?

“Our micro embossing tools are made of high-quality brass. This material is particularly suitable for making even the finest structures with high precision.”

What advantages does brass offer over other materials?

“I have summarized the most important points to explain why brass is the best choice:
1. Excellent thermal conductivity: brass allows less energy consumption than other materials used for embossing tools. This saves you time, energy and costs.
2. Durability: brass tools wear out less quickly than other materials, thus reducing waste and proving to be the most sustainable choice.
3. Rust resistance: brass holds up particularly well to long periods of storage, maintaining its characteristics and functionality over time.
4. Excellent quality: due to its surface structure, brass allows for extremely precise and defined results. From micro-details to the sharpest reliefs, it is truly a versatile material.”

For what labeling materials are your embossing tools suitable?

“H+M embossing tools can be used with all paper materials. Coated materials are best suited for microembossing. As for other materials, much depends on the combination of material and graphic. In some cases, the pattern may be less visible. We are always willing to offer a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of processing. There are also PP and PE films that are compatible with micro-embossing, so the use of plastic materials cannot be ruled out a priori. Considering the wide variety of material suppliers on the market, and the fact that we are not familiar with all of them, preliminary testing will still be necessary. In any case, we always recommend a flat-edge relief.”

Can your embossing equipment be combined with all hot foils?

“In general, yes: our systems are compatible with the main hot stamping foils. However, it is essential to correctly calibrate temperature, pressure and time according to film thickness and label material.”

Does micro-embossing work even without foil? In other words, can the label material itself be deformed?

“With MicroEmbossing, the label material is not deformed: the visual effect is achieved through the play of light and shadow on the foil. Such effects are therefore not reproducible with traditional dry embossing.”

How thin can the elements that are imprinted with your implants be? (minimum line thickness)

“The minimum line thickness is 0.08 mm. For negative areas, a thickness of at least 0.3 mm is required to prevent blurring or loss of definition.”

Do you have any general advice for clients who want to enhance their labels with the MicroEmbossing technique?

“It is essential to use a suitable material, otherwise there are few limits to what can be accomplished.”

See for yourself

Are you interested?

Have we intrigued you? Then request free samples now! If you also want a personalized consultation, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will help you find the perfect labeling solution for you.
Request samples

Have professionals design your label

Have you felt like experimenting with labels that feature micro embossed details, but haven’t found the right idea yet? No problem: you’re in the right place. At etichetta.it we put at your disposal a team of graphic designers ready to support you in your design. Our experts are always happy to help you turn an intuition into a unique, innovative and surprising label with, or without, micro-embossing.

Graphic design service

Co-author: Sascha Dremel, Business Development Manager