THE BEAUTY OF HOT FOIL STAMPING (FOIL PRINTING)
Hot foil stamping is a personal favourite of many due to its excellent ability to bring an element of sparkle and shine onto breath-taking gold or silver wedding invitations, or whatever colour your heart desires.
WHAT IS FOIL PRINTING / STAMPING?
Foil stamping is a printing process by which metallic colours are applied to the paper using heat and pressure, causing the foil to be permanently adhered to the paper.
Metallic foiling is the most-popular finish, whereas matt foiling is used to create a smooth, satin-like surface without the sheen. Clear foiling is a great alternative to a spot UV finish, to add a touch of gloss to your design.
Foil is opaque so the colour will print as shown no matter the paper colour. It can be used for accents or even for the entirety of your text – creating a dramatic effect on dark sheets by using lighter foils. Traditionally, gold has been the most common choice for foil stamping, but many other colours including silver, rose gold, copper, green, blue, holographic rainbow, and black have also become popular.
WHY IS FOIL PRINTING SO EXPENSIVE?
It requires a special press and custom made dies, usually made of copper, brass or magnesium. Copper is an excellent material used in plates that can retain heat well over the press run. It is also hard enough to be able to hold small details that might get lost with softer materials like magnesium.
No ink is involved. Instead, thin ribbons of foil are used. The hot stamping die presses the paper and transfers the foil from the ribbon onto the paper.
A skilled pressman is required to print fine details and get crisp results.
WHERE DO YOU USE FOIL STAMPING?
Couples who want to add some BLING to their invites - It’s reflective and shiny!
Print projects with heavier paper stocks, that require a little touch of opulence making them enticing pieces of print you want to pick up and read.
To apply a logo or other design to paper – a finish that refracts light.
Letterheads, invitations, certificates, business cards, stickers and brochures
On products that consumers respond best to by touch—like menus, product tags and gift vouchers.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE FOIL PRINTING?
Ability to achieve truly metallic impressions in many colours and shades
Use in conjunction with Letterpress or Digital Printing methods
Foil stamped invitations can be recycled
Handmade artisan quality will WOW your guests
WHEN TO NOT USE FOIL PRINTING?
Due to the labour intensive printing process, foil is more costly than other printing methods and takes a longer time – you must budget enough time and money
Expensive - vector based art, and multiple foil colours will cost you more in dies and setup fees.
Some printers have different capabilities and requirements – Designers should work in collaboration with printers for each custom made order. Tip – avoid extremely fine details and loosen up the kerning between small letters.
Work involved in printing 1 piece vs. 100 pieces is the same.
