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Cold Foil Printing

How It Works

Using a standard printing plate, an image is printed onto a substrate with the use of a UV-curable cold foil adhesive. A UV dryer then activates the adhesive. The extracted foil is affixed to the printed adhesive and an image is created.^[1] Foil that does not adhere to the adhesive is removed. Because the adhesive is applied on press like a conventional ink, no expensive stamping die has to be created.^[2]

Once printed, the surface of cold-foil images may be varnished, over-laminated or encapsulated in order to provide a hard-wearing, durable surface.^[3]

Substrates

Some printing substrates are unsuitable for cold foil transfer. The best results are obtained on glossy coated papers and papers with a smooth surface. Weights from about 80 to 500 g/m^2 are possible.^[4]

Benefits of Cold Foil Printing

The process does not require stamping tools, but instead uses printing plates, which are not only much cheaper but, because the delivery time for an engraved or etched stamping tool can be up to two weeks, can cut production times considerably. More importantly for the designer, gradients and halftone images can be introduced.^[5]

History

Hot Foil Stamping

Cold foil has evolved from hot foil stamping. Hot foil stamping is mostly used offline when foil is required on a preprinted substrate, such as in the manufacture of greeting cards and special occasion ribbons. Hot Foil is economical but runs at a very slow speed. The types of graphics that can be applied are usually limited to text and bold images.^[1]

Cold Foil Evolution

Cold foil takes the idea of hot foil stamping and makes it more convenient and cost effective. The cold foil functions like an additional ink and can be bonded in-line in a single run using an offset plate. it can be applied absolutely precisely with high resolution even for the finest structures such as raster gradients and thin lines. Typeface is legible from about 5pt upwards and has excellent edge definition.^[4]

Cold Foil Indexing

As the cold foil market evolves, major players in the printing industry are finding ways to make the process even more cost-effective. By indexing cold foil, printers can reduce foil waste, reduce their presses' downtime, and in turn maximize their presses' efficiency. Manroland's "Prindor" received a Bronze award for “Most Environmentally Progressive Printing Technology” at the Canadian Printing Awards in 2012 due to its indexing function.^[6]

Uses

Cold foil is most commonly used on products that call for a strong “shelf appeal” such as household consumables, cigarette cartons, wine labels and cosmetic packaging.^[1] It provides a luxurious metallic look on higher added-value label applications^[3]

Advertisements
Bags
Book Wraps
Clear Labels
Collateral
Decorative Wrap
Direct Mail
Folding Cartons
Greeting Cards
Hang Tags
Labels
Magazines
Media Wraps
POP Displays
Posters
Presentation Folders
Print Collateral
Rigid Packaging
Set-Up Boxes
Stickers
Trading Cards

Markets

Book Publishing
Consumer Goods
Cosmetics
Direct Mail
Electronics
Entertainment Media
Fashion
Food and Beverage
Greeting Cards
Personal Care
Pharmaceutical
Publishing
Stationery
Tobacco
Toys
Sporting Goods
Security
Wine & Spirits

^ ^a ^b ^c Rivera, J Michael (2004). Cold Foil for Dummies. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc. p. 1. ISBN 0-7646-7406-X. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
^ McCue, Claudia (2013). Real World Print Production with Adobe Creative Cloud. Peachpit Press. ISBN 0321970322.
^ ^a ^b Kirwan, Mark (2012). Handbook of Paper and Paperboard Packaging Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ISBN 9781118470930.
^ ^a ^b Beckmann, Till (2009). Extra: Encyclopedia of Experimental Print Finishing. Birkhauser Architecture. ISBN 9783034604611.
^ Pipes, Alan (2005). Production for Graphic Designers. Overlook Hardcover. ISBN 1585676691.
^ Baxter, Christa (May 2012). "Prindor Reduces Wastage of Cold Foil by 55%" (PDF). Sheetfed News. Retrieved 1-2-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[rivera-1] Rivera, J Michael (2004). Cold Foil for Dummies. Indianapolis, Indiana: Wiley Publishing, Inc. p. 1. ISBN 0-7646-7406-X. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)

[mccue-2] McCue, Claudia (2013). Real World Print Production with Adobe Creative Cloud. Peachpit Press. ISBN 0321970322.

[kirwan-3] Kirwan, Mark (2012). Handbook of Paper and Paperboard Packaging Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ISBN 9781118470930.

[beckmann-4] Beckmann, Till (2009). Extra: Encyclopedia of Experimental Print Finishing. Birkhauser Architecture. ISBN 9783034604611.

[pipes-5] Pipes, Alan (2005). Production for Graphic Designers. Overlook Hardcover. ISBN 1585676691.

[sheetfed-6] Baxter, Christa (May 2012). "Prindor Reduces Wastage of Cold Foil by 55%" (PDF). Sheetfed News. Retrieved 1-2-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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