Potiskem

Potiskem is a term used to describe the act or result of creating an imprint on a surface by applying pressure with a tool, stamp, or mold. In crafts and industry it covers decorative and functional impressions produced by transferring pigment, relief material, or texture onto textiles, leather, paper, metal, and wood. The term is most commonly used in Czech-language contexts.

Etymology: The word derives from potisk, meaning imprint or stamp, with the instrumental suffix -em, indicating the act of applying the imprint. In everyday language, potiskem can refer to both the process and the resulting mark, and it is used across various crafts and manufacturing practices to denote marking, printing, or texturing.

Applications: In textiles, potiskem refers to printing designs onto fabric by blocks, screens, or rollers. In leather goods, it describes stamping patterns or textures into the material. In paper and packaging, it denotes debossing or hot-stamping to create raised or recessed designs. In metal and wood, potiskem can refer to embossing, engraving-inspired textures, or applied decorative impressions.

Techniques: Common approaches include relief stamping with carved blocks combined with pigment or dye, hot stamping using metal dies and foil, and mechanical embossing or debossing with heated or chilled dies. The choice of method depends on the substrate, the desired durability and appearance, and production requirements such as volume and cost.

See also: printing, stamping, embossing, debossing, hot stamping, textile printing.