How to Make a Custom Embossing Stamp?

There’s something unique about the raised impression on paper; a centuries-old signature that adds value and reflects your workmanship. Packaging, invitation cards, certificates, and official documents – an embossing stamp gives these things a distinction.

Yes, many standard embossing stamps are already available on the market. But what if you want a customized one, featuring your logo or mark of claim? Then, you need a method to make it yourself, consistently and exactly as you require.

This blog explains what embossing is, the three common ways to create an embossed stamp die, and why laser engraving is the most effective way to make custom embossings.

What is Embossing and an Embossing Stamp?

Embossing means creating a raised impression on a surface, usually paper, cardstock, leather, or foil, by pressing it between two shaped layers: one raised (male) and one recessed (female). This pressure leaves a tactile design that is prominent without any ink or color.

An embossing stamp (also called an embossing seal or die) is the tool used to create this impression. It typically looks like a stapler with two parts, a top and bottom plate, that align precisely to press your design into the material. These stamps can be handheld or machine-applied depending on the purpose.

How to Make Embossing Stamps: 3 Ways

The core of the embossing process is the custom die – the engraved metal (usually brass or steel) component that carries your design. The 3D engraving on that die can be done via three different methods, each relying on a different set of tools.

Method 1: Laser Engraving

The core of the embossing process is the custom die – the engraved metal (usually brass or steel) component that carries your design. The 3D engraving on that die can be done via three different methods, each relying on a different set of tools.

We will use xTool laser engravers as an example to explain how to laser engraving embossing stamps.

1. Prepare a Design

Design is the most critical phase for embossing stamps. For raised designs, you don’t need a regular design but a depth map, a grayscale image where each pixel represents the depth of the surface. The darker areas go deeper, the lighter areas stay raised; that’s what gives your stamp its 3D effect.

If you’re using xTool’s XCS software, this process is very straightforward. You can either create a custom design through a text prompt and generate its depth map instantly, or upload already prepared/saved image and get a depth map in seconds. More details about creating a depth map for embossing can be found here.

2. Place the Material inside the Engraver  

Place the material (like a brass plate or steel sheet) inside your laser engraver. A powerful fiber or MOPA laser engraver, something like the xTool F2 Ultra or F1 Ultra, is recommended for the job.

Select the material type from the list and enter its thickness. For setting focus, hold the Up/Down button to move the laser head. When the red and blue light spots overlap into a single dot, you’re in focus.

3. Set the Parameters

Drag your depth map design onto the workspace and scale it to fit the surface. On the right side, you’ll see multiple customization options. You can go with preset values or define your own.

You choose between laser types: diode (blue) for wood and other soft materials, and fiber (red) for metals and plastics. Then set the number of layers; more layers mean deeper cuts. Adjust the power (from 1% to 100%) and speed depending on the material and how deep you want the embossing to be.

4. Framing and Engraving

Once everything is set, press the Framing button to preview the laser path. If it moves exactly where you want the design to appear, you’re good to go. Start the processing and let the laser do its job.

As we mentioned earlier, the stamp is made from two parts, the male and female dies. So, you’ll have to repeat the laser engraving procedure for creating both halves of the stamp.

Method 2: Metalworking

Metalworking is one of the oldest methods for making custom embossing stamps. It can be done entirely by hand tools, power tools, or even CNC machines for more accuracy.

1. Prepare the Metal Blank

Cut or choose a brass/steel blank sized to your stamp. Brass is easier to engrave manually and gives clean results.

2. Transfer the Design

Mirror your design and trace it onto the blank using carbon paper, scribing, or toner transfer. If you’re using the CNC option, you would need to create the design on CAD software.

3. Engrave the Design

Clamp the blank in a vice/CNC bed for stability while carving. Carefully carve the design using hand tools. Cut the recessed areas while keeping the raised portions intact; these will form the embossed imprint. If you’re using CNC, just insert the tool bit, feed the design, and everything will be automated.

4. Refine and Polish

Clean up rough edges and polish the die surface, being careful not to round off the raised design.

Method 3: 3D Printing

3D printing is another accessible method for making embossing stamps. It builds the design layer by layer using thermoplastic filament or resin. However, it is mostly limited to plastic-based materials, and plastic dies are generally less durable under pressure or repeated use.

1. Create a 3D design

Design your embossing stamp in CAD software. It should be an extruded (raised) version of your logo or text. Make sure to mirror the design, so it appears correctly when pressed into the material.

2. Prepare for Printing

Export the design and open it in a slicer software. Adjust the layer height, typically 0.1–0.2 mm for FDM printers, and finer (e.g., 0.05 mm) for resin printers. Slice the model to generate the print file.

3. Print the Die

Print the stamp using PLA, PETG, or resin. You can opt for FDM or resin printers. FDM printers provide higher detail designs but need slow print speeds for good results. Resin printers offer even finer details and cleaner results.

Why Laser Engraving Is the Best Way to Make a Custom Embossing Stamp?

Among the three, laser engraving is undoubtedly the best option. Why? Because it’s faster, more precise, and far more accessible.

Much Faster

Laser engravers offer blazing speeds that leave other methods far behind. For instance, the xTool F2 Ultra can engrave at up to 15,000 mm/s, while the average FDM 3D printer runs around 150 mm/s. Manual engraving is not even in the race.

Very Precise, Provides Excellent Results

CNC is known for its accuracy, but even that, or a well-modeled 3D print, can’t match the razor-sharp detail a laser can achieve. And with options featuring MOPA laser, you get even finer control over depth, contrast, and material response.

Handles More Materials

Metal dies are the standard for embossing, but not every method plays well with metal. 3D printing, for example, is mostly plastic-bound. Hand engraving has limitations, too. In contrast, laser engravers like xTool F2 Ultra work on almost including metals, plastics, wood, acrylic, and leather.

Accessible to Everyone

The design part is often where most people get stuck. 3D printing demands CAD knowledge, and metalworking needs hand skills. But with laser engraving, especially using xTool’s ecosystem, things are far simpler.

Within XCS (xTool Creative Space), you get AI-powered design tools that can generate depth maps for embossing in just a few clicks. Other parameters like power, speed, and layering are also preset and require very little input from the user. So, it’s a craft anyone can pick up, even without prior experience

Conclusion

Embossing stamps make your packaging, cards, or products look more authentic, valuable, and professional. If you’re looking to create personalized stamps for your business, we highly recommend trying the xTool F2 Ultra, our latest and most powerful tool, custom-built for deep engraving.

You can explore embossing design ideas, tips, and machine inspiration on our Atomm Community or on Facebook, where creators like you share their projects daily.