The invention concerns a method of structuring a surface for an embossing tool, in which a tool blank with a surface is provided and in which an embossing structure is formed on the surface of the tool blank, which is intended for embossing a predetermined material. The task of proposing a method for structuring a surface for an embossing tool, in which a process-precise structuring, in particular with high resolution, is achieved and the method is simplified, is solved by printing structural material onto the tool blank by a 3D printing method in order to provide the embossing structure and the embossing structure comprises the structural material printed by the 3D printing method. The invention also concerns an embossing tool, an apparatus for structuring a surface for an embossing tool and a digital printing template.