Embossed Paper

Embossing is a process in which a mold is impressed into a surface, using a combination of heat and pressure, to create a raised or recessed design. Embossed paper is employed in everyday objects like business cards, paper napkins, and postage stamps. In fine art, printmakers have been embossing paper for centuries. Innovations have ranged from techniques such as “blind embossing” without pigment, which printers in 19th century Japan would apply to sections of artsyukiyo-e prints to enhance texture and create luxurious print editions, to the almost-sculptural shaping of paper in editions by contemporary print houses. Beyond embossing, many contemporary artists explore the sculptural use of molded paper, pioneered by LA-based printer Mixografia.