Abstract: The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to power embossing apparatus which has support means for holding one die in a fixed position and a linearly movable ram for holding a second die to be moved toward and away from the first die. To insure flow of the sheet material being embossed, the dies are held together in their pressure-applying position for a predetermined dwell period of time during the embossing operation. The dies are also held apart during a predetermined dwell period of time to enable switch means to be actuated to deenergize the power embosser. The dwell periods are obtained by a particular cam surface configuration.