In the earlier forms of instrument the record was made by embossing lines on a ribbon of paper by means of a sharp style fixed to one end of a lever, which carried at the other end the armature of an electromagnet.
The possibility of embossing the metal beyond a certain point without fracturing the coating of silver was got over by casting or stamping the raised ornament in silver, filling the hollows with.
There is also an active trade in embossing or engraving copper and brass utensils.
The female embossing stamp, or die is made from brass or steel with the desired impression being manually engraved on it.
You can do this yourself by using a baby footprint stamp and embossing powder.