Embossing Seal FAQ's

We do not sell the insert, or the resin die with your information by themselves. If it is time to update your information, you would need to purchase a complete seal. You can remove a seal insert. You may want to know how to, so that you can make sure your insert is properly seated in the handle or base. Your insert will only fit with the specified body. For example, pocket seal inserts are not interchangeable with desk seal inserts and vice versa. 

Yes, it does! The weight of the paper, the lining, the texture, and the gloss on the paper play a major role in how the embossed image will look. Embossers do not work well on coated or lined paper. They also do not work well on heavily textured paper. Embossers are meant to be used on one sheet of 20-24 lb paper or 40 lb light cardstock. Some of the heavy-duty long reach seals can emboss on paper that is up to 60 lbs.

The largest impression that we have available is 2” in diameter. Our embossers are a 2” or 1-5/8” diameter circle or 1” x 2” rectangular impression.

Choosing the right type of embosser for the type of paper being used is very important. Equally important is the image you wish to use. Sometimes your image or the type of paper you wish to use will not be the best fit for an embosser. In choosing the right embosser, you will want to think about how often you will use the seal, the thickness of your paper, and how far into the page you need to go. If you are creating a custom art seal, we will need your image to be in black line art. A simple design usually looks better than something that is heavily detailed.

Today’s embossers are designed to raise the surface and impress an image into a piece of paper, using perfectly aligned “male” and “female” die plates. The male die plate has a raised etched “positive” version of the image and the female die plate contains a debossed etched “negative” version of the image. When pressure is applied to the embosser, the male and female plates are pressed together, and the material in between the 2 plates is simultaneously “raised” up by the male plate and down by the female plate. This process effectively “tears” the embossed material, leaving behind a raised replica of the original image.

1. In order to unlock your desk embosser, push down on the handle.
2. Now, move the lock to the down position.
3. Your seal will now be in the open position.
4. To remove the insert (clip), pinch the top and bottom plate together and pull the insert out.
5. Insert the new insert (clip), by pinching it together and lining up the prongs with the correct holes on the bottom.

Please click here for instructional images on how to change the insert for your desk seal.

1. In order to unlock your pocket embosser, place the embosser in your hand and squeeze the embosser.
2. Now, move the lock to the down position.
3. Your seal will now be in the open position.
4. To remove the insert (clip), pinch the top and bottom plates together and pull the insert out.
5. Insert the new insert (clip), by pinching it together and lining up the prongs with the correct holes on the bottom.

Please click here for instructional images on how to change your seal insert.

1. In order to unlock your desk embosser, push down on the handle.
2. Move the lock to the down position.
3. Your seal will now be in the open position and ready to use.
4. To use the seal, insert your paper between the top and bottom plate and press down with your hand to crimp the paper.

Please click here for instructional images to show how to unlock your desk seal.

1. In order to unlock your pocket embosser, place the embosser in your hand and squeeze the embosser.
2. Move the lock to the down position.
3. Your seal will now be in the open position and ready to use.
4. To use the seal, insert your paper between the top and bottom plate, and squeeze with your hand to crimp the paper.

Please click here for instructional images to see how to unlock your pocket embosser.

Yes, most of the time. We cut the die deeper for heavier paper so slight tearing may occur when using lighter paper stock or labels. You will want to order the paper weight for the seal based on the paper stock you will be using the majority of the time.

We laser engrave all our embossing seals and use a material called Delrin. Delrin is the brand name for a rugged acetal resin polymer invented by DuPont. It provides the embossing seal industry a lightweight, yet very strong metal substitute.

It is an extremely durable and cost-effective material which helps us keep your cost for an embossing seal at a reasonable price. In the past, embossing seals have been made exclusively with metal dies. We now find that the seals made with Delrin last longer and require less repair.

Our embossers are not designed to emboss materials such as leather, tin, cardboard or mylar. The embossers are designed for paper only.

Embossers or seals raise the surface of the paper to make an impression. They crimp the paper but do not use ink. An embossed impression is not photographically reproducible. Seal stamps make a stamped ink impression on the paper.

Please read the specific product page to see which warranty qualifies for your seal. Most of our embossing seals have a 2-year warranty. Please see our seal warranty page for more detailed information.

We can make any shape or size of die that will fit within a space up to a 2” diameter circle and/or 1” x 2” rectangular die.

Embossers are meant to be used on one sheet of 20-24 lb paper or 40 lb cardstock. Some of the heavy-duty long reach seals can emboss on paper that is up to 60 lbs. We need to know the thickness of the paper you will be embossing so we can cut the dies for the specific application. If we cut a custom die for thick cardstock, it will tear right through lighter paper. If cut for lighter paper, it will leave a shallow or incomplete impression on heavier stock paper.

For best results, we prefer vector art file formats that have a resolution of 300 dpi. EPS files with fonts converted to outlines or curves or transparent PNG works best. If you do not have those programs, we can try to work with other file types. We need your art to be sent in a black line artwork format without any other color or shading. We also need the art to be sent in a high-resolution file format.

Our gold foil embossing labels are a great fit for your embosser. Just emboss the sticker and apply it to your document. Please note that most office supply stores offer the peel and stick foil seals but it is our recommendation that this type of gold foil is too thick for most embossers.