Paper embossing dies

[salvaCNC]

My younger sister had asked me for help with her paper embossing home business. She has designed some patterns and wants me to make some dies for her.

I have milled designs in wood but never done any work on dies. I read all the threads, however most diemaking topics only deal with forming metals or plastics.

Since I will be making dies for paper with my desktop CNC (I cannot mill metals with it),
1. Do you think a softer material like acrylic could be used for the dies?
2. Would I need a male-female die pair for paper? In my view, I think you would only need the male half.
3. Can I emboss using a DIY manual lever press?

By the way, I already ordered the die makers handbook from Amazon.

Thanks for all the help.

[High Seas]

Why not use wood for the die and coat in resin for waterproofing? Maybe make the male and female and set up like a tortilla press - manual.

Sounds like a neat niche market - good luck and,
Jim