What is foil stamping?
Metallic prints and foils are applied to plastic, paper, and card using heat and pressure.
Metallic, matte, glossy, and holographic textures can be created on the media using it.
Due to the fact that foil stamping does not use any ink, it is not affected by the color or texture of the medium and is therefore ideal for products with dark surfaces.
A variety of products have been created with foil stamping since the 19th century, including holiday cards, baby announcements, scratch foils, wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, business cards, presentation folders, book covers, and more.
How does foil stamping work?
With foil stamping, you can create shiny metal in a variety of colors and textures, such as designs, text and graphics, by applying heat, pressure and foil.
The process is also known as heat embossing or hot foil embossing because the image is transferred from the heat stamp to the selected surface using heat.
A dry stamping process is also known as a dry foil stamping process. As a result, no liquid ink is used in the printing process. For stamping, dies and engraved metal plates are used instead.
Different types of layers in foils.
Polyester carrier layers
release layer.
lacquer layer.
image layer.
metallic layer (gold or gold-silver foil or foil color), and
Outer glue layer
A hot foil stamping process involves applying heat and pressure to foil, which is pressed against a medium supported by a plate or cylinder.
With this heat and pressure, the adhesive layer in the gold or silver foil is activated, melting the release layer and attaching the foil to the medium.
Foil stamping machines / foil stamping machines are used for this process. Stand-alone machines or those connected to printers or similar devices can be used.
Brass dies used in hot foil stamping are usually etched or engraved by hand or by other means.
Brass dies used in hot foil stamping are usually etched or engraved by hand or by other means.
In which industries is hot foil stamping used?
A variety of products are decorated with hot foil stamping or hot stamping. Additionally, it serves as an anti-counterfeiting measure.
As well as high-end luxury goods, it is widely used in packaging products such as food, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Additionally, foil stamping is used to create greeting cards, wedding invitations, book covers, cosmetic packaging, and commercial printing.
Business cards, brochures, invitation cards, and regular business stationery (reports, envelopes, cards, etc.) can all be imprinted with foil stamping technology.
Foil stamping is also used in packaging. It’s quick and easy to add a touch of luxury and eye-catching effects with foil stamping, whether it’s stickers, labels, or scratch-off tags.
What are metallic foils?
They are made of aluminum or tin and are colored to produce the desired effect. Metal foils and heat are used to print hot stamp in this special printing process. In this process, shiny details are created in a variety of colors and textures.
How do hot stamping machine work and what are the different types?
The type of operation determines the type of foil stamping machine.
- Flat
- Round and flat
- One round after another
- Flat foil stamping machines.
Depending on the position, the foil die is either mounted on a honeycomb plate or a flat metal plate. In this case, the foil and media are placed between the plate and a counter plate mounted below.
A foil embossed with protrusions forms an embossed design when the plates are pressed together.
Flat foil stamping has the advantage of being easy to set up and its tools and parts are readily available.
Round flat foil stamping machines.
In a flat foil stamping machine, the counter plate is replaced by a rotating cylinder.
Using horizontal pressure, the rotating cylinder presses the foil against the media, transferring the foil design.
Foil stamping machines of this type are ideal for small jobs with small quantities of work.
Circular foil stamping machines.
The principle behind these machines is similar to that of a printing press. The rotating cylinders on both sides of the machine rotate in opposite directions. The foil and media are held together by two cylinders that apply pressure.
For very complex designs, this type of foil stamping machine can rotate at very high speeds. Using it, you can create highly complex and frustrating effects on media.
What are the types of foil stamping methods?
Foil stamping can be done in two ways today: traditionally and digitally.
Traditional hot stamping.
Traditional foil stamping involves engraving or etching the design onto a metal plate (called a foil die or die cut).
In a foil press, heat and pressure are applied to transfer the design from the die to the printing surface.
Separate metal dies are prepared for each color if there are more than one colored design to be laminated. In order to achieve the final result, the molds are applied one by one to the media.
An embossed design requires a foil die that produces this effect on the media.
Digital Foil Stamping.
In appearance, digital foil stamping presses are similar to conventional foil stamping machines. However, they differ in how the foil is attached to the media surface.
A special foil is adhered to the media in digital foil stamping, which prints the graphic design digitally. This method does not require separate dies.
Ink printing and digital foil stamping are very similar. The machine does not need to be run multiple times if more than one color or design needs to be foiled.
Most popular types of foil.
- Metallized Foil
- Pigment Foil
- Effects Foil
- Holographic Foil
- Scratch-Off
- Signature Panel
1. Metal foils.
Foil stamping commonly uses these types of foils. This adds a classic metallic look to the design and is usually available in gold and silver, but other colors are also available.
2. Tinted foils.
Foils with tints produce a matte or glossy non-metallic finish. From paper to plastic, they are versatile and can be used on a variety of media and materials. Any color can be chosen.
3. Pearlescent foils.
Pearlescent foils give designs a beautiful pearl sheen. In both clear and translucent finishes, they are commonly used for greeting cards and wedding invitations.
4. Special design foils.
A variety of patterns can be produced on the medium using foils (e.g. holographic foils). Custom printing can include holograms, stripes, glitter and other effects.
It is particularly important to use foils with three-dimensional or iridescent designs. In the production of banknotes, ID cards, credit cards, and other high-security items, they prevent counterfeiting.
5. Scratch foils.
It is easy to scratch off these foils with a coin or fingernail. In addition to lottery tickets and telephone recharge cards, they are also used for other items.
Paper or cards imprinted with foil are not permanent and can easily be scratched off. Because of this, they are perfect for covering highly sensitive information temporarily.
Have you ever wondered how that signature panel on the back of your VISA card is made? Foil stamping is most likely the case.
The benefits of foil stamping
Why is foil stamping so unique and popular in the printing industry?
Prints, colors, textures, and finishes are all available with foil printing. Gold and silver are the most common metallic colors, but other metallic colors and effects can also be used.
What are its benefits?
Stand out from the competition.
Aluminum foil printing (hot stamping) enhances the visual appeal of the print. You can easily gain higher sales by using this technique on your products.
Foil stamping is used by almost all well-known brands to design their product packaging. Luxury and superior quality are usually associated with it.
Adaptability.
Adding metallic eye-catching colors to your product packaging design is possible with hot stamping. With glossy metallic colors, unique designs can be created that can be associated with the product.
You can create customized designs that match your brand name using a variety of high-quality options.
Different types of finishes, such as varnish, are also available.
Other benefits of foil stamping include
- Photogenic resolution
- Wide range of metallic colors, tones
- Durability
- Moisture and chemical resistance
- Sustainability
Hot stamping process
It is ideal for the decoration of a wide range of products when hot stamping is used. Due to the dry printing process, parts can be packed immediately after printing. The cost of stampings is low and they are permanent.
Conclusion
These special treatments are widely used in the packaging industry, and we can provide all the technology you want. Contact our packaging experts to be able to provide you with more professional advice.
