præger

Præger is a Danish verb meaning to imprint, stamp, or emboss a design onto a surface by applying pressure with a tool that bears the design. The result is a præg, an impression that can be raised (relief) or recessed (intaglio) depending on the method used and the material involved.

Common applications of prægning include coin minting, where the design is transferred onto metal to form coins or medals, and the production of seals and official marks on documents. Beyond metalwork, prægning is widely used on paper, leather, plastic, and wood to create decorative patterns, brand marks, or security features. In printing and packaging, embossing and debossing processes are often grouped under the broader idea of prægning.

The act is typically accomplished through pressing a tool bearing the design against the material, sometimes with heat or additional pressure to achieve the desired depth and clarity. The terminology around prægning varies by context, but the essential idea is the creation of a reproducible imprint using a stamp, die, or equivalent impression device. The word præg itself denotes the mark or impression left by the process.

Historically, prægning has ancient roots in seals and minting, where standardized dies and stamps were used to authenticate currency and documents. In modern industry, the technique remains important for both functional purposes (authentication, durability) and aesthetic applications (branding, decoration).

See also: embossing, debossing, coin minting, seals, stamps.