An overview of the background on the history of foil printing
Prior to the invention of foil stamping machines embellishing objects with packaging boxes gold was known as gold leafing or gilding and it utilized genuine gold. Gold nuggets were hammered into an extremely thin sheet of gold that was then applied manually to various objects. This craft was, and remains, an expensive decorating method.
Mechanical foil stamping was the first technique utilized in the early 1900s. Nowadays, it’s also referred to in the form of foil printing, or even foiling.
The first patent was issued to Ernst Oeser, a bookbinder and businessman from Berlin who developed the stamping machine of today. In the late 1900s George M. Whiley laid silver or gold dust onto thin sheets of polyester, and the result was the beautiful foils that we use in the present, however at very reasonable prices.
Foil stamping in the present – how do you get it to work?
At its core the method for stamping foil is the same significantly since the time it was invented. Let’s recap the basics for you: to stamp foil onto your boxes We use an iron hot-stamping press as well as an custom metal die that has the design you want.
The foil sheet sits between dies and paper, and the die that is heated is pressed against paper. The foil is then able to stick to the area you wish to.
Which paper do you prefer?
It is possible to apply foil to any kind of paper, and to every color printing. The majority of the time, foil printing is applied to smooth stock paper, however it looks great when applied to textured paper such as kraft papers. We suggest reading the box types guide to get more details.
Color print on foil
The foil can be applied to any print color
Foil on kraft paper
For various color foils, the color sampler can be used to select almost any color. Once you’ve chosen the color you want, we’ll purchase the foil from our trusted suppliers and put it in your boxes. A foil roll will cost additional $100 and will last for approximately 3000 to 3000 boxes depending on the dimensions that the foil is placed on. For exact pricing, please request a quote.
What foil colors are there?
With the advancement of technology that have allowed us to use silver foil or gold foil as we were previously. Below are the top commonly used foil colors that we stock in our shop:
Holographic foil printing
The foil is holographic (rainbow effects) foil
Multiple colors of foil printing simultaneously?
Foil stamping packaging boxes employs a die that is a different color, so should you desire to create a multicolored appearance, things could be quite costly according to what you’d think.
This is where metallic paper comes in. The printing process on metal paper can be an excellent option to replace foil printing, and it’s the perfect choice when you desire the look of foil however with unlimited color options.
More metallic colors
Does foil have the ability to be coated?
Yes! In addition to being beautiful in its own right foil stamping packaging boxes is also compatible with different coatings like matte, gloss spot gloss coating as well as embossing and deboss to create the appearance of 3D.
What is the best time to apply foil printing?
Since most of the time , the client purchases based on how attractive the Foil stamping boxes can be used with every product you intend to advertise as being high-end.
How much does foil stamping cost?
While it comes with additional cost, foil stamping can add such value to the packaging you use, we’re sure you’ll find the cost of the investment worthwhile.
Foil stamping requires the use of a custom stamping tool that is specific to your design. The cost is $75 and is a one-time cost. You’ll be able to utilize this die for all of your purchases.
Applying foil on your boxes can cost anywhere between $0.15 to $0.07 depending on the amount you purchase. For a few dollars it’s possible to transform your box transformed from normal to spectacular and establish a brand image that is a big seller. To get a precise estimate, we’d love to get in touch with us.
Do’s & Don’ts with Foil Printing
Contrary to standard color printing foil stamping, foil printing requires specific evaluations. Let’s look at what they are. If, at any time you’re not sure of the particulars of the issue, call us and we’ll assist you.
Do
Utilize vector-based software like Adobe Illustrator or packaging boxes to create your box
Keep the foiled areas small. If you use large foiled areas may cause the foil stick unevenly. For larger areas, we suggest using metallic papers.
Make use of foil in moderation and with purpose. Do not overdo it with foil and decide carefully where you place foil to provide that wanted contrast (your logo or brand name or the message you want to communicate)
Increase the size of text for better readability.
Don’t
Do not use raster software to create your boxes that include Photoshop, Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.
Avoid using JPG or PNG as images that are rasterized. Use only vector images.
Do not use details that are that are smaller than 1 point because the foil might not stick well.
Don’t use gradients. It is solid substance that is not able to support colors that are gradients. For gradients that are metallic we can print them using metallic papers instead.
How do you prepare your artwork to allow foil printing
In order to ensure your foil-stamped boxes look perfect foil printing will require some additional preparations. We’ve covered every step of the process within the Artwork Preparation Guide, which will be provided to you when you make your purchase. The guide can assist you in designing your boxes properly and help our printing department finish your order quicker.