Laser etchers are versatile tools.  Among the many things a laser can create, embossing seals may be some of the most useful.   Often these seals are created using Delrin (or acetal).

Delrin is an engineered thermoplastic with a variety of uses.  Often, it is the material of choice for embossing seals.  The seal designer typically creates the seal digitally in two parts, a positive and negative, but can also consist of only a positive or negative.  Once the design is created, the material is loaded into a laser and the laser burns away the material to create the die.  Delrin is a very good choice for the die material as it is very strong, is highly abrasion resistant, and absorbs little or no water.  It can be worked easily, such as with a laser, and is used in a variety of products.

There are many jobs and careers that require embossed seals; Notary Public, Architect, Professional Engineer, etc.  These roles are usually tied to state or federal licensing or certification.  To ensure the documents created by these professional are authentic, an embossing seal is typically used.  These seals usually consist of a positive and negative die that, when used together, result in a nice raised pattern or seal in the paper or other material.  When used, the seals provide physical proof, along with the signature of the professional, that the particular document was reviewed, created, or endorsed by a licensed, certified, or registered professional.

Seals differ in the information they convey.  Some seals convey information about the professional such as license numbers, the state where the license is valid, the licensees name, etc and varies from state to state and the purpose of the seal.  There are variations in the seals even from the same state, but there are guidelines for the minimum information on the seal.  For example, this notary seal for Alabama lists the state, the name of the licensee, registration number, and when the license expires.

Embossing seals have many other uses as well.  You may see an embossed sticker on an award or on a corporate document.  You may receive a hand made card with a design embossed on the paper to give it that unique touch.  You may decide to have a custom seal created just for your business, to add that little special touch that will set you apart from your competition.

What ideas could you come up with for an embossing seal?

How could an embossing seal add to the professional image of your company?