Tried several different settings on 140lb paper to make an impression image to press onto aluminum. It finally worked. I used 18 gauge aluminum annealed and a rolling mill to emboss the metal. Finally successfully after several attempts.
Oh nice! So I assume that aluminum is embossed, then you paint it and sand it clean?
What kind of mill did you use?
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Yup i used aluminum patina sand off extra shine the raised areas. I used a Pepe rolling mill
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Very nice result! I have an older Cavallin combination mill that was my prized piece of equipment prior to the laser.
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What a lovely clear emboss! Great job - endless possibilities!
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I did not know that was a thing. Came out really nice! Thanks for sharing.
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Wow. Great result.
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Neat! Didn’t know that was a thing either. So much to do!
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So, there is some prior art:
There are also a lot of projects that emboss softer materials, paper, leather, etc.
I swear I saw another aluminum embossing project using cardstock, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m not sure anyone has mentioned using a mill to do this though, which is cool.
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I’m familiar with embossing in general (and have done it) - just not using paper to emboss metal.
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Aha I knew I’d seen it:
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Nice work. How did the paper survive? I’ve used leaf skeletons but they were one-and-done.
Now that you’ve got the technique down, you could consider creating images that other metalsmiths would want.
When I was a member of Florida Society of Goldsmiths (FSG), most of us had rolling mills. We were always looking for new patterns. It was tiresome seeing the same brass-plate patterns in everyone’s work. We’d pay a mint for something like this, even if we only got a few uses from it.
I know I’d have been willing to pay for something like this.
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Mill? Tell us more about the mill. Do you have a pic?
I have been thinking soft copper flashing and trying to figure a way to get the pressure right, A deep engrave in baltic birch, or even solid maple or hickory could get considerable distance/depth and a hard durometer rubber have the design come out the other side as with repoussé but dead soft silver or gold would work as well,
I did not know of such a group but made custom jewelry in Coconut Grove for many years,
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Ooooo, now I want a rolling mill. You folks are the most prolific enablers I’ve ever encountered.
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I thought you already had an embossing machine? It would be furn to try some leaves with that 
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Hmmm, you’re right! Just need to get some aluminum.
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Nice!
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Soft Aluminum flashing can be found at most big box stores. If you can call about to people who buy scrap metal you might find soft copper as well.
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Oddly enough we get ours from a trophy supply shop. Aluminum, copper, & steel; anodized and not. a goodly sized sheet 1’x 1’ is about $5.00 - $6.00 and they would cut it to size for us.
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