What is foil stamping? Foil stamping, also known as foil printing, is a versatile printing technique that involves applying a metallic or pigmented foil to a surface in order to create a decorative finish.
The process makes use of metal dies, combined with heat and pressure, to permanently bond a thin foil film to a paper-based substrate. Foil stamping can be used to achieve a variety of specialized textures, including matte, metallic, glossy, and holographic finishes. This makes the process ideal for patterns and lettering on product packaging, greeting cards, letterheads, book covers, business cards, wedding invitations, and so on.
Aside from producing lustrous surface finishes, foil stamping is opaque and does not contain any ink. As a result, the color of the stamped design is not affected by the color of the printed substrate, making this method suitable for dark or colored paper.
Foil Stamping Methods
There are two common methods of foil stamping used today: traditional foil stamping and digital foil stamping.
Traditional Foil Stamping
This method begins with the desired design being etched onto a metal plate called a foiling die, which can be compared to a conventional rubber stamp. The die is heated up, and a thin layer of foil is placed between the die and the substrate. The die then applies pressure to the foil and the printing surface, causing the foil to permanently bond to the surface in the shape of the etched design.
For multiple colored designs, separate dies need to be created for each color, and several runs of the press foiling machine are required to produce the final design. Special effects such as embossing or raising may be achieved through the use of another specialized die.
Digital Foil Stamping
Digital foil stamping, also known as digital foiling, is visually similar to traditional foil stamping. However, instead of using a stamping die to press the pattern onto the substrate, the image is digitally printed using a special type of foil that adheres to the printed surface.
Digital stamping eliminates the need for multiple dies in multicolored and multi-patterned projects. This method can be compared to conventional inkjet printing.
Foil Printing – Types of Foils Used
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Foil stamping can be performed with a variety of foil materials to achieve different surface finishes. Popular foil types include:
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Metalized foil — Generally referred simply as foil, metalized foil is the most commonly used material in foil stamping. This material produces a shiny metallic finish and is available in a variety of colors, with silver and gold foil stamping being the most popular.
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Pigment foil — Pigment foils are characterized by their non-metallic finish. They are available in almost any color, with matte or gloss surface textures. Pigment foils are used on both papers and plastics.
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Pearl foil — These foils are mainly used for adding a lustrous, pearlescent shine to a design. Pearl foils can be either transparent or translucent and are commonly used on wedding invitations and greeting cards.
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Effects foil — Effects foils are essentially foils with multiple colored patterns and tones. Popular options include light diffractions, stripes, sparkles, and holographic patterns.
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Holographic foil — These foils typically produce 3D or rainbow-colored patterns, and are mainly used for their aesthetic appeal. Credit cards, ID cards, and security seals are a few of the most common applications for holographic foils.
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Scratch-off foil — As their name implies, scratch-off foils are designed to be easily removed via scratching. They do not permanently adhere to a printed surface, making them ideal for temporarily concealing sensitive information. These foils are commonly found on lottery tickets and phone cards.
The Versatility of Foil Printing or Stamping
Foil stamping provides designers with a wide array of luxurious texture options, allowing for enhanced aesthetics and unique features. The ideal type of foil material for a specific application will depend on the type of surface finish required.
Resources:
- Traditional Foil Stamping and Digital Foil Stamping
- The Printing Process: Foil Stamping
- The Graphic Designer’s Guide to Foil
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