• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Printing for Less

Printing for Less

Satisfaction Guarantee

At Printing for Less, we've offered high quality online printing services since 1996. Shop business cards, booklets, stickers, and more!

800-930-2423
Get A Quote
  • Products
    • Announcements
    • Banners
    • Booklets
    • Booklet Envelopes
    • Bookmarks
    • Branded Box Printing
    • Brochure Holders
    • Brochures
    • Buck Slips
    • Business Cards
    • Calendar Printing
    • Campaign Printing
    • Carbonless Forms
    • Catalogs
    • CD Covers
    • Club Cards
    • Coil Bound Booklets
    • Custom Printing
    • Digital Printing
    • Door Hangers
    • EDDM Postcards
    • Envelopes
    • File Folders
    • Flyers
    • Folded Business Cards
    • Folders
    • Forms
    • Greeting Cards
    • Hang Tags
    • Holiday Cards
    • Invitations
    • Labels
    • Large Envelopes
    • Large Format
    • Large Posters
    • Letterhead/Envelope
    • Magnets
    • Mailer Printing
    • Mailing Envelopes
    • Mailing Services
    • Memo Pads
    • Menus
    • NCR Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Note Cards
    • Notepads
    • Offering Envelopes
    • Packaging
    • Plastic Cards
    • Pocket Folders
    • Postcards
    • Posters
    • Post-it® Notes
    • Presentation Folders
    • Rack Cards
    • Recieipt Books
    • Remittance Envelopes
    • Sell Sheets
    • Signs
    • Statement Stuffers
    • Stationery
    • Stickers
    • Table Tents
    • Tickets
    • Variable Data Printing
    • Vinyl Banners
    • Yard Signs
  • Industries
    • Advertising & Design
    • Real Estate
    • Medical
    • Food & Beverage
    • Non-Profit
    • University
    • Technology
    • Enterprise
  • Services
    • Reseller Program
    • Fulfillment
    • Digital Printing
    • Mailing Services
    • Custom Solutions
    • Design Services
    • Hybrid Experience Platform
  • Resources
    • Marketing & Design Tips
    • Templates
    • Blog
    • Help & FAQs
    • Printing Terms & Glossary
    • Video Library
  • Get Samples
  • My Login
  • Contact
  • About
    • Why Printing for Less?
    • Our Team
    • Sustainable Practices

Using Embossing on Postcards

You’ve probably seen embossing on greeting cards and wedding invitations. Postcard embossing has been around since the turn of the 20th century, when people would paste their own images onto generic embossed cards and send them to friends.


What is Embossing?

Embossing uses heat and a pair of etched metal dies to raise a design above the surface of a sheet of paper. The bas relief (or male) die pushes the image up, while the mold-shaped (or female) die presses on the paper from above. The result is a raised, embossed image on one side, and an indented, or debossed, image on the other.

Embossing gives postcards an appealing dimensional effect, both tactile and visual. It can be used for letters, logos, graphics, borders or other design elements that you want to stand out.

embossed postcard example

Because they have a raised pattern that’s visible from both front and back, embossed postcards create some special design considerations.

  • Choose a cardstock and an image that are well-suited to embossing – and to each other. Certain card stocks produce better embossing than others, so consult with your printing company. The same is true of images. An image with a lot of fine detail may not be a good candidate for embossing.
  • The type of stock you use will affect how the embossing looks. Softer, thicker card stocks will produce greater detail in the embossing while others will create a deeper image.
  • Embossing is more visible on paper stocks with a lower brightness.
  • Don’t plan any embossing in the areas where the address and postage will be. Addresses must be easy to read.
  • Avoid printed text in the embossed areas.
  • Use the embossed pattern as a design element on both sides
  • Remember that embossed text will appear backward on the postcard’s reverse side.

When embossing is used alone it is known as blind embossing. It can also be paired with ink or colored metal foil (using a combination embossing and foil stamping die) to make the embossed design really “pop.”

 

As an alternative to a raised image, some design elements might work best as an indented image, which is known as debossing. In this case the male and female dies are reversed.

 
embossed postcard magnified

Using Embossed Postcards

An embossed postcard is a great way to attract attention to a product, service or event. When paired with colored inks or foil stamping, embossing opens up a whole range of design possibilities – from understated and traditional to colorful and edgy.

 

Embossing can help you convey a particular message, promote your brand, and encourage people to act.

  • Embossing makes an invitation to a sale, seminar or event feel special. Embossed invitations are common for special occasions like weddings and galas. By embossing your postcards, you suggest that your event is special as well.
  • Embossing suggests that something is official, certified or guaranteed. Blind embossing is used for official government seals, and we’ve all heard of a “seal of approval.” Embossing on a postcard can imply quality and credibility.
  • Embossing is a good way to promote upscale products and services. An embossed postcard feels (and is) more expensive than a standard one, and it sends a strong message about the luxury qualities of a product or service.
  • Embossing gives postcards a texture that stands out. With its raised design, an embossed postcard feels different than a plain one. An embossed postcard instantly stands out from the rest of the mail, increasing the chance that the recipient will read the card and act on it.

Embossing can turn a postcard from ordinary to exceptional. We carry a wide range of custom stocks, ink colors and foils to give your embossed postcards a unique, custom look.

Need technical or creative advice on your embossed postcard project?
Give our helpful experts a call at 800-930-6040.
 
RELATED MARKETING & DESIGN TIPS

Sequential Numbering Printing

Get sequential numbering printing on carbonless NCR forms, tickets, purchase orders and other items with numerous options

Read More >


Business Card Size Specifications

See standard business card dimensions, layout specifications, and guidelines for printing business cards and folded business cards for commercial printing.

Read More >


Plastic Business Card Printing

Get high quality plastic business cards printed with numerous custom options, fast turnaround, free templates, live expert help and award winning service

Read More >


Gift Card Printing

Get full featured custom gift card printing. Lots of options to get exactly what you need at a great price.

Read More >


Bulk Mailing

Learn about the options and get mailing templates for Bulk Mail, a cost-effective way to promote your product, service, or event

Read More >


The Advantages of Self-Mailers in Direct Mail Campaigns

Learn about self-mailers as an effective but often overlooked element of a successful multi-channel marketing campaign.

Read More >


Our Partners

Add value to your customers by partnering with the leader in online commercial printing.

Read More >


Hang Tag Stringing

Get custom hang tag stringing for your printed hangtags. Strings come in both cotton and elastic materials in a variety of colors, thicknesses and lengths

Read More >


Custom Printing of Diplomas, Awards, and Certificates

Read More >


Rip Cards or Tear Off Cards

Rip card and perforated tear off postcard printing gets your business card, coupon or offer to your prospects easily and cheaply. Send a postcard with your marketing message and a tear off portion with a business card that they can…

Read More >


Begin with Finishing

Step by step tutorial on folding and finishing layouts in Adobe Indesign.

Read More >


How to Create a Small Business Marketing Plan

Need help creating a small business marketing plan? We created a detailed step by step guide to get your marketing out into the world. Learn more!

Read More >


Getting Started

Nothing in print says “elegance” like foil stamping, but what exactly is it? Foil stamping, hot stamping or hot foil stamping is the application of pigmented or metallic foil to paper using pressure and a heated die. The die presses…

Read More >


Specialty Printing Options

Trust the experts at Printing for Less with your specialty print. We offer a wide array of specialty printing options & services. Learn more.

Read More >


Printing Metallic Ink on Business Cards

Add a little flash to your business card with metallic ink! Printing for Less offers metallic printing for your business card to get you noticed! Learn more.

Read More >


Black and White Digital Printing

Uses and benefits of black and white digital printing are explained for cost effective business uses

Read More >


Point of Purchase Displays

These patented easy to erect custom point of purchase displays can complement your literature graphics and communicate your brand messaging better

Read More >


Gate Fold Brochure Design Review

Read More >


Low-cost graphic design programs

Guide to free and low-cost design programs for designing quality marketing materials for print or website use

Read More >


How to Choose the Best Paper for Your Printing Project

Paper choice is maybe the single most important decision you’ll make when it comes to creating a great printed piece.

Read More >


Graphic Design Help
Marketing & Design Tips

Guides
Jumping into the world of printing? We’ve put together these handy resources to help you get your footing.

Explore >

Templates
Templates

Templates
Pre-made templates are a great way to springboard your creativity and make sure everything is laid out exactly the way you need it. Utilize one of our printing templates and speed up the printing process even more.

Explore >

Printing for Less services the technology industry.
Blog Articles

Blog Articles
We’ve compiled a list of our best blog posts to help you dive into custom printing

Explore >

Footer

Printing for Less

info@printingforless.com
100 P F L Way, Livingston, MT 59047

800-924-2041

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Get Samples
  • Resources
  • Guides
  • Templates
  • Blog
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • About
  • Why Printing for Less?
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • Login

Copyright © 1998-2023 PrintingforLess.com. All Rights Reserved.

logo
  • 866-501-7488
  • Products
  • Industries
  • Services
  • Resources
  • Get Samples
  • Get a Quote
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • My Login