Embossing tape

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A label made with embossing tape
A Dymo brand tape embosser

Embossing tape is a labelling medium usually of hard plastic. Embossing tape is used with embossing machines, often handheld. The company name and trademark "Dymo" is often associated with this sort of label as their CEO Rudolph Hurwich first introduced it as a consumer product in 1958.[1]


The machine features a wheel with raised characters, similar to a daisy wheel. The user turns the wheel to align the desired character with the tape and presses a trigger, forcing the character against the tape. Upon releasing the trigger a mechanism advances the tape to the next position. The embossed characters stand out from the tape and look white due to stretching of the plastic.

Embossing tape and the embossing device itself is relatively inexpensive to buy, usually around $10 from stationery stores. Because of this, embossing tape has found popularity with children and adolescents. Unlike paper labels, embossing tape is very durable, does not fade over time, rarely leaves a sticky residue and does not break upon removal.

Because of the method for embossing, the characters can only be white in color. Sometimes, the adhesive backing of the tape can weaken, especially if it is placed in liquid or dust. The tape is more rigid than most other labeling materials, and may come loose if the labeled object bends or under the force of its original curvature, if the label is not straightened after being printed.


  1. ^ "Rudolph Hurwich Obituary". Berkeley Daily Planet. Retrieved 23 December 2014.