From car dashboards to synthetic leather handbags with realistic animal hide textures, coated fabrics are integral to many aspects of daily life. These intricate, relief-like patterns are achieved through the embossing process, which is essential for adding both aesthetic appeal and functional textures to materials.

How Embossing Works

Embossing involves creating raised or recessed designs on a material’s surface. To achieve this, the material is first heated, allowing it to become pliable enough to adopt new 3D patterns. Once heated, the material is passed through an engraved roller, which imprints the desired texture. As the material cools, it retains the embossed design, creating a durable and visually appealing finish.

In the production of large-scale, multi-layer plastic textiles—such as synthetic leather, tarpaulins, and floor coverings—heat plays a crucial role at various stages. The final embossing step is particularly important, where the surface structure, like the grain of faux leather, is created. Precise temperature control is critical to ensure a uniform pattern across the entire width of the material. Leister’s KRELUS IR heater field, designed modularly with individually controllable heater groups, delivers precise and consistent surface temperatures, ensuring optimal embossing results.