Embossing in a technique that uses heated male and female dies to deform an image above the surface of the paper. Similarly, debossing uses the same technique to push the image below the surface of the paper.
When standard card stock doesn't cut it, duplexing offers a solution. This technique allows for thicker, more luxurious cards that truly stand out. Another good use for duplexing is to marry a sheet with full color image to a different sheet that is letterpress printed, foil stamped or embossed.
Die cutting is another great way to differentiate a printed piece by cutting it to a custom shape. From simple rounded corners to ornate polygonal shapes, there is a wide range of possibilities to make your message stand out. Think out of the box!
Edge gilding and edge painting are similar techniques that apply color to the sides of an invitation or business card. Edge gilding uses metallic or pigmented foils to color the sides. Edge painting is the application of ink to the sides of the card that can match the PMS colors of the printing. These features work well on very thick material. 30pt is the minimum recommended thickness to make the enhancement noticeable.