A Step-by-Step Guide to Metal Embossing

Use a stylus or embossing tool to etch designs into metal

Reviewed by Cory Schifter

Last Updated: December 1, 2023 Approved

When you emboss metal, you participate in an art form that has existed for centuries. Metal embossing is used to impart a design upon metal sheets. The metal is pushed with an embossing tool or stylus in order to create a raised effect on the opposite side. By placing the metal sheet on a rubber or foam pad, the positive impression has a smooth surface that will shine or can take pigment. Embossed metal sheets can be used to decorate items like tins, lanterns, windows or doors. Smaller pieces can also be used to decorate greeting cards or scrapbooks. Embossing metal does not require many tools. The steps below will present you with a tried and true method of metal embossing.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Emboss-Metal-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Emboss-Metal-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Emboss-Metal-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Emboss-Metal-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Transfer your design to the metal sheet.
- Print out or draw your design on a piece of paper. It can be helpful to use a piece of paper that is the same size as your metal sheet.
- Tape the edges of your metal sheet to the piece of paper with your template design. Place a piece of tape on all sides to ensure the page does not slip. This will ensure that your lines are true to the design.
- Using the stylus, trace over the lines of your template design. Use as little pressure as possible, so that you are not committed to a high relief. This cannot easily be undone, so follow the lines as close to exact as possible.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Emboss-Metal-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Emboss-Metal-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Emboss-Metal-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Emboss-Metal-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Emboss-Metal-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Emboss-Metal-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Emboss-Metal-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Emboss-Metal-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The harder you press, the deeper the line. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Emboss-Metal-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Emboss-Metal-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Emboss-Metal-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Emboss-Metal-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Again, more pressure yields more relief (negative from the side you're working, positive from opposite side). ^{[2]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is the best thickness for a beginner embossing copper?

Community Answer

At craft stores such as Hobby Lobby you can buy a roll of copper at 36 gauge (the higher the gauge, the thinner the sheet). I have used this to good effect. Pushing from the back is called "repousse" and pushing from the front is called "chasing." If you look up chasing and repousse tools on Google, you'll find places that sell all sorts of tools for this type of art. I'd recommend Mettleworks.com since they have sets as well as individual tools. Do some reading online before you decide which tools to buy.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 17
Question

What is the thickness of the metal used?

Community Answer

You can use many different gauges. 20 is a good thickness to use, or you may want to go even higher to 22 or 24. Just remember that different gauge metal sheets crack at different levels of relief, so make adjustments as necessary.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 5
Question

What weight of aluminum should I use to make tin ceiling tiles?

Gabriel

Community Answer

You definetly want to keep the weight of the ceiling tiles as light as possible. You would need something clos to the thickness of an aluminum can. One great candidate for making an excellent embossing, engraving and stamped edges would be a roll of aluminum sheet metal flashing used for roofing and protecting surrounding bath and kitchen sink walls, corners and edges from moisture.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can use the stylus or embossing tool to make other decorative marks as well, such as dots. Simply press the tool down onto the metal sheet and lift--do not drag the tool over the metal as you would when embossing a line.

Thanks
Helpful 10 Not Helpful 6
You can emboss both sides of the metal sheet to develop stronger contrast between lines.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 7
If you're embossing words or anything that has a specific direction, make sure that you are embossing the correct side of the metal sheet.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 10

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

The cut edges of a metal embossing sheet can be sharp. Take care when handling to avoid cutting your hands.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 4

Things You'll Need

Metal sheet
Metal stylus
Metal embossing tool
Rubber mat
Scissors
Tape

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

Log in

A Step-by-Step Guide to Metal Embossing

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories