Metal stamping molds and dies by it is used for many centuries, first with clamps and now presses, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical .... The first use and best known of this industrial process is the manufacture of coins.

The printing can be classified into two groups depending on the physico-chemical state of metals:

Hot stamping

When the metal is heated prior to the stamping process and presents a state close to become liquid, the deformation can be much higher than the cold process and much greater thickness compared to those used in cold printings.

Cold stamping

The metal is solid at the molecular level and stable state when the printing is performed.

Other classifications of cold stamping:

- Punching: Punching, cutting, marking, minting.

- Shaping: deep, shallow.

- Deformation: folding, bending.