If you’re hoping to elevate your marketing material, foil printing can add sophistication and class to any product. Gold foil can transform regular business cards into statement pieces; bronze foil helps elevate humble brochures into premium products, and unique foil finishes can turn unappealing invitations into memorable pieces of art.
To help you navigate the different foil printing techniques, we have compared both traditional and modern printing methods so you can choose the right one for your product.
What is Foil Printing?
Foil printing uses heat and pressure to apply a metallic or pigmented foil to products such as business cards, packaging and flyers. The heated die applied to the foil makes it permanently stick to the surface, no matter how intricate or small your design may be.
Foil printing is unique compared to other techniques as it comes in a wide selection of colours and finishes. Although gold and silver foil are the most popular amongst customers, other effects such as pearlescent and holographic foils can add a subtle yet elegant touch.
There are two types of foil printing techniques; digital foiling and foil blocking/stamping. The latter process is thousands of years old and continues to use a similar method to when it was first introduced. Digital foiling, on the other hand, is a modern and more time-effective process using digital files which programme a foiling machine.
Foil Blocking/Stamping
Traditional foil blocking (also known as hot foil stamping) uses a press loaded with custom-made die, a sheet of foil and a product to be foil stamped. The technique presses metallic foil onto the card using heated plates; the use of heat and pressure during this printing process means it works best on thick, uncoated paper stocks.
This foil printing technique leaves the foil slightly textured and debossed, creating an enhanced shimmer when placed under light. Therefore, if you’re hoping for premium quality, hot foil stamping is the perfect option, particularly if your design contains thin text or intricate illustrations. However, with premium quality comes a premium cost.
Foil blocking is a labour-intensive procedure that requires bespoke plates to be created. These plates are then fitted to the printing machine to stamp your desired products. It’s important, therefore, to consider the additional fee for assembly, which will vary depending on the size of your product area.
If you intend to foil a large number of products using the same foil plates, it can be a more economical process. We recommend this foil printing technique for large-quantity orders of bespoke business stationery such as envelopes, letterheads, packaging and business cards.
Digital Foiling
Digital foiling is less time consuming and expensive compared to its traditional counterpart. The foil is printed directly from a digital file (usually a PDF format) onto the product making the process ideal for small orders of wedding invitations, high-end flyers, booklets and important business reports.
It’s important to note that digital foiling requires a laminated surface, so if you are hoping for a natural finish, foil blocking may be more appropriate. In addition, the process of digital foiling means the metallic asset sits on the surface of the product rather than being debossed. Consequently, digital foiling doesn’t have the same shimmer as foil blocking.
Foil printing can be the subtle difference between a forgettable product and a marketing asset that lures your audience in. Whichever foiling method you require, we can make your design come to life at Sherwood Universal. Printing since 1975, and with state-of-the-art equipment, we guarantee a cost-effective and time-efficient printing service that suits all your needs.
Tony Hunt is a seasoned Print Industry Expert with over three decades of experience in the trade. He has been instrumental in helping clients expand their product ranges, secure more business, and ultimately increase their profitability. Tony’s approach is characterised by enthusiasm and passion, balanced with a realistic and tactical mindset. His expertise is further bolstered by seven years of running his own business, fostering a commercially-driven perspective. An excellent communicator, Tony prides himself on never compromising on detail.