Embossing is among the most complicated yet most effective of most types of surface finishing. The embossed look is achieved solely by deformation of the materials by means of a block or die, that is, the formation of a relief; that may be superimposed in film lamination after the film has been put on. The reflection on the varying structures of the embossed graphic changes  depending on the incidence of the light.

embossing

In the sheet-fed printing sector, embossing plates can be fabricated at a manageable cost. In web printing the creation of embossing cylinders is very costly and also time-intensive. Rotary embossing is therefore primarily done on regularly continual products having high print volumes (e.g., wallpaper).