Embossed

On most credit cards, the credit card numbers are embossed, that is, raised above the surface of the card. It once was necessary when the common way of approving credit card transactions involved making a physical impression of the numbers via carbon packets and a “zip zap” machine. Today, with most card transactions handled electronically, embossed numbers are just a manufacturing habit. An increasing number of cards, especially debit cards, are now issued with flat, unembossed printed numbers.