Foil stamping printing

Foil stamping is a unique printing procedure that incorporates heat, pressure and a metallic foil, in order to create a number of shiny designs and graphics on various materials. It is also known as dry stamping, hot stamping and leaf stamping. It provides an incredible look to the stamped design. In several industries, foil stamping has evolved as one of the most preferred methods of printing. It can also be combined with embossing, to create an attractive 3D image. Transferring a layer of foil to the folder using pressure results in foil stamping. It is best suited for stamping flat or embossed images on paper and some plastics.

Foil stamping printing is also known as dry printing because it does not use any kind of ink for printing. Unlike the traditional methods, the dry stamping procedure uses ink where letters and pictures are not printed, by applying magnetism or plates. Foil stamping printing involves the use of dyes and carved plates, heat and foil in the stamping procedure. During this process, the dye or the sculpted metal plate comes in contact with the foil and transfers a thin layer of the foil film onto the intended surface. When the metal file is heated, the foil sticks to the surface exactly according to the design of the plate, in the necessary area, resulting in the desired imprint.

This technology dates back to more than 4000 years, in ancient Egypt. It was used to hammer and beat the gold till the thickness of 0.0001 mm was achieved. Then the beat gold was used to embellish mummies and in the decoration of coffins and arms. The process of foil stamping printing gradually evolved from simple processes that existed at the time. Later some monks started using these machines and beat gold, to print their books. However, gold was not used directly for stamping.

It is considered to be the earliest form of foil stamping that existed right up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. In order to simplify the process of adding the beat gold to the stamped design, gold was pressed on to the paper. The whole gold paper roll was placed and heat was applied, to remove the gold from the paper and make it stick onto the desired surface.

Owing to the price of gold, different types of metallic foils replaced beat gold stamping. This marked the beginning of the process of foil stamping. Foil stamping is gaining popularity, since it is one of the methods of printing that can be used for several applications.

Types of Foil stamping printing machines:

There are many different foil stamping printing machines available in the market. Though they differ in look, each one is based on one of the two designs, namely, the platen press or the flatbed press.

Platen Press: The Platen press table is set, open at an angle of around 45 degrees and rises to a vertical direction to close on the print head and create an impression, as soon as the handle is pulled.

Flatbed Hot Foil Printing Machines: They are known to provide a quality print with ease, similar to the platen. The print head is arranged above and over the machine table. In this type of machine, either the head comes down to meet the table or vice versa, depending on the design of the individual flatbed.

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