ST. PAUL — It began in April, 2008 and will take several years, but eventually all of Minnesota’s 158 types of license plates will be flat, rather than embossed, and produced in a manner that saves time, space, money and a few unpleasant chemicals while it makes the plates easier to read.

The “digital” license plates (DLP) are produced by the Minnesota Department of Corrections using a relatively new process that involves printing the design on flat sheeting. With input from law enforcement, the Department of Public Safety