COLD FOIL VS HOT FOIL PRINTING

FOIL PRINTING

Foil has long been the standard to express the best in high quality printing

There are 2 ways to print using foil.

COLD FOIL PRINTING

Cold foil printing is a 21^st century hi-tech WOW FACTOR EFFECT marketing tool that makes printing gold, silver and every combination of CMYK foil colors easy to create. You can even make color blends and gradations. The way it works is that on a selected area you want to foil an adhesive is printed on the card A foil laminate is then sealed on top of the glue using UV light to cure and dry it. This process is done on a offset printing press so you don’t need expensive custom made dies and traditional hot foil stamping. This revolutionary eye candy printing technique cost less and attracts as much attention as the old way. At this time we can only print cold foil on standard 2 X 3.5 business cards and 4 X 6 postcards. This is a designer’s and marketer’s dream because it’s not only possible, it’s also affordable for the average small business.

PROS:

Cold foil does not require a custom metal die.

Silver or Gold Foil printing as well as EveryColor Foil is printed in-line with the printing press.

It only requires a simple mask to indicate the foil area.

Registration is very accurate.

You can combine as many process colors as you want using EveryColor Foil.

You can make blends and gradations using EveryColor Foil.

You can add high gloss Spot UV coating as an option.

The process is fast.

The process is more affordable than traditional hot foil stamping.

Quick online quotes are available. Check out our cheap and affordable prices at https://www.colorprintingpros.com/foilbusinesscards.html

CONS:

Cold foil is not as bright as hot foil.

Colors are not as deep.

Dark colors are not recommended.

HOT FOIL STAMPING

Hot foil stamping, also know as foil blocking, became practical in the 1950’s when new formulas for colored foils became possible and they did not fade. The way it works is a custom metal die (usually a magnesium die) is made of the area you want foiled. A foil stamping machine is then used to heat the die and pressure is applied to a roll of foil onto the substrate you want stamped. If printing is needed for the project, it is printed on an offset printing press first and then transferred to a stamping machine.

PROS:

Foils are brighter and richer.

Holographic, Lenticular and Psychedelic colored foils are available.

You can use darker colors.

You can emboss or deboss foils.

You can emboss or deboss the substrate without foil.

You can make custom sizes with stamping.

You can use die cutting as an effect.

CONS:

Tight registration can be a problem.

Dies are expensive.

Stamping dies are usually outsourced. The more steps and people in a job, the greater chance of problems. Who is responsible when there is a problem may occur.

Different foils have different cost.

Size of the custom die affects cost.

It is more expensive than Cold foil.

Custom quotes required.

Color Printing Pros provides both cold foil and hot stamping services. If needed, our customer service experts are always available for free consultation to help you decide the method and practices needed to meet or exceed your expectations.