Foliestamping

Foliestamping, commonly referred to as foil stamping, is a printing technique in which a decorative foil is applied to a surface using heat and pressure, producing a metallic or pigmented design without ink. The process relies on a foil backed by a carrier film and a stamping die that bears the desired motif.

There are two main approaches: hot foil stamping and cold foil stamping. Hot foil stamping uses a heated metal die or press to transfer foil from a carrier to the substrate. Cold foil stamping uses a transparent adhesive layer, foil laid on top, and UV curing or another bonding step to fix the foil in place, enabling high-speed digital workflows.

Materials and substrates: metallic foils in gold, silver, copper, rose gold, and holographic finishes; stamping dies or plates; presses designed for foil work; substrates such as paper, card stock, leather, and some plastics. For cold foil, an adhesive and specialized rollers or web equipment are used.

Process overview: create or obtain a design, prepare the die or foil system, align the foil with the substrate, run the material through the press (hot) or apply adhesive and foil (cold), then remove the carrier sheet and cure or finish as needed.

Applications and limitations: widely used on luxury packaging, invitations, book covers, labels, and crafts for a precise metallic look. It delivers durability and shine but requires dedicated equipment, careful registration, and can be costly for small runs. Foil adheres best to smooth, non-textured surfaces.

History and context: hot foil stamping emerged in the early 20th century for printing and bookbinding and has since evolved with automation and new foil formulations.