EMBOSSING. 167 



causes them to take the form of any design that is engraved in 

 the mould in which they are placed. Articles which are solid, 

 or nearly solid, with a hollow space within, may be shaped to 

 any form, in the same way as is done in the manufacture of car- 

 springs ; or they may be made of gum-elastic sponge, to fill the 

 mould of any shape, with or without any hollow being left in the 

 article. 



Globes, maps, or other articles, may be advantageously made 

 in this way for the blind, and when the mould is inked or colored, 

 they may be printed and embossed at the same time. 



The fibrous, and other fabrics, are embossed in a very simple 

 and cheap manner, by rolling them up in a figured cambric, or 

 other figured goods of any desired pattern, as the India rubber 

 fabrics are taken from the callenders while the gum on them is 

 soft and warm. Being then left to lie for a few hours until the 

 gum is cold, the India rubber fabrics become impressed, and 

 exact copies are obtained of the surface of the goods with which 

 they are thus brought in contact. The original copy is not in- 

 jured even where silk or satin fabrics are used ; and upon being 

 removed, the impression or fac-simile of the copy remains ; and 

 after the India rubber fabric is vulcanized, it answers all the 

 purposes for embossing gum-elastic fabrics, that an expensively 

 engraved callender answers for embossing cambrics or leather. 



Tissue, and other very delicate fabrics, are impressed in a 

 similar manner, by spreading the gum upon the figured fabric, 

 which is made into what is called an endless apron or belt. The 

 layer of cotton which forms the tissue, is laid upon the apron or 

 belt at the same time with the dissolved gum, by which means 

 the fabric is formed and embossed at the same time. 





