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Foil Stamping

Standard Foils – Overview When a print project needs an elegant, non-tarnishing metallic finish to be applied to paper or a similar substrate, it’s easily accomplished using a process referred to as foil stamping or hot stamping. The reproduction of graphics such as logos, polished metal, or highlighted spot areas requiring a high quality reflective image can be effectively achieved by using foil films rather than metallic inks for the end result. Metallic inks, which are similar to standard printing inks, provide a subdued metallic appearance. The natural tendency of the ink to be absorbed into the stock contributes to a duller looking effect.

Foil stamping or hot stamping (as it is called when heat is applied) requires a metal plate with an engraved image. The plate strikes a foil film, transferring the foil coating from the roll film onto the substrate that is to be imprinted. The substrate then receives the high-density metallic finish, resulting in a reflective image with a bright and dense metallic appearance. A wide selection of foil colors, finishes, and effects are available such as gold, silver, and colored metallics; marble, leather, wood, snakeskin, and pearl finishes; and geometric multi-dimensional patterns.

Holograms – An Alternative to Standard Foil Colors

Holograms – An Alternative to Standard Foil Colors Another foil product for the hot stamp process is the hologram. A hologram is a 2 or 3- dimensional image developed photographically with the use of lasers as the light source and special optics to create the graphics or photo images. The image is transferred to special foil film ready to be stamped onto a selected material.

A random (wallpaper) hologram has a spectrum of color changes when viewed from several angles. The image above shows how the hologram appears in a stationary position. The hologram shown below represents how it appears to the human eye as it is moved.

1. Hologram Production: If a hologram is to be designed specifically for a client’s needs, such as a logo or architectural image, it may become expensive to create. Consequently, there are a variety of off-the-shelf stock graphics that are available, for a nominal fee, which can be used on any project where a stock hologram image is acceptable. Diffraction foils are one alternative for off-the-shelf products. Diffraction foils reflect multi-colored images and patterns, however they are flat in appearance. Other foils are also available off-the-shelf, which provide greater depth and dimensional effects

1. Hologram Production: If a hologram is to be designed specifically for a client’s needs, such as a logo or architectural image, it may become expensive to create. Consequently, there are a variety of off-the-shelf stock graphics that are available, for a nominal fee, which can be used on any project where a stock hologram image is acceptable. Diffraction foils are one alternative for off-the-shelf products. Diffraction foils reflect multi-colored images and patterns, however they are flat in appearance. Other foils are also available off-the-shelf, which provide greater depth and dimensional effects