Embossing powder thermographic powders

Thermographic powders are used in combination with slow drying inks to create an embossed image. The powder is spread over the still wet ink where it sticks to the paper. The powder is then melted to bind it with the ink and paper.

The powders that are most common are transparent. They take the colour of the ink underneath.

Of course coloured powders are also available like gold and silver.

For letterheads a special, laser printer resistant, powder was developed. This powder is treated with UV-light when it is melted and this prevents the powder from melting again when it passes through a laser printer.

Also available are powders with glitters. The glitter is usually added to transparent. The transparent powder takes the colour of the underlying ink and the glitters can also change colour depending on the inks used.