Using Hot Foils
Luxurious Brilliance:
Hot foil stamping is the process of applying foil using a heated die. The metal die strikes heat-sensitive foil, pressing it into the substrate, thereby leaving foil only in the area of die contact and binding it to the substrate. Hot stamping produces crisp, durable impressions and provides the highest quality finished product with a subtle hint of dimensionality due to the pressure and heat involved. Because hot foil and foil laminates are vacuum metallized, they offer a level of shine and brilliance that other products cannot. Hot foils offer a high degree of environmental sustainability while also delivering unrivaled reflectivity. The distinctive, recognizable quality of hot foils is frequently leveraged in certain categories to communicate authenticity, tradition, and trustworthiness. Available in brilliant silver, gold, stock diffraction patterns and custom holographic designs.
THIN LINES
Foil stamping thin, tightly grouped lines may require a special foil formulation to avoid distortions in the paper. For production compatibility, see the ITW Hot Foils Grades chart.
Using Multiple Foil Colors
To maximize run efficiency with multiple foil colors, allow ample clearance area between colors in your layout (discuss run direction with vendor).
Overprinting Hot Foils
When overprinting foils, Ink and foil both should be checked to ensure compatibility, as not all inks work for overprinting and not all foils will receive ink. UV printing is generally recommended.
Hot or Cold?
Cold foil is not a replacement for hot foil but instead an opportunity to expand the use of foil into more markets and applications. While hot foil is stamped into a surface using heat and pressure, cold foil is transferred onto a surface as a flat application.
Foil Stamping Type
Although ITW Foils offers formulations for all your production challenges, there are some rules of thumb when it comes to using foils with type. Typefaces generally appear bolder when foiled, so you may want to set type loosely and with more leading than usual. Very large type sizes or solid ares of foil might require a foil formula to minimizes “air entrapment” to ensure consistent adhesion.
Color Selection
Consider the typical lighting environment of your viewing audience when viewing colors. For the critical color matching required by certain brands, partnering with a ITW Foils for custom color formulations can be a great solution.
