Embossing uses a metal die and pressure to raise a design element above the surface of the paper or card stock, creating a tactile, three-dimensional impression you can feel as well as see. (The reverse technique, pressing an element inward, is called debossing.)
It's most effective on a small, focused element — a logo mark, a monogram, an initial — rather than large areas of detail, since fine detail doesn't hold up well under the pressure of the process.
Like foil stamping, embossing requires a custom die and an extra production step, making it a premium technique generally reserved for brands where a tactile, high-craft impression matters — luxury, hospitality, and personal branding for high-end services.