Hot and Cold Foil Stamping

What is Hot Foil Stamping?

Hot foil stamping with labels is a printing technique that uses heat, pressure, and metallic or pigmented foil to create decorative and high-quality label designs. It’s often used in premium packaging, branding, and specialty labels to add a shiny or textured effect to logos, text, or patterns. It’s commonly used in wine bottles, spirits, cosmetics, and luxury branding

How It Works:

1. Preparation – A custom metal die is created with the design to be stamped.

2. Foil Selection – A thin sheet of foil (metallic, matte, glossy, or holographic) is placed between the die and the label material.

3. Heat & Pressure – The heated die presses the foil onto the label surface, transferring the design.

4. Final Look – The result is a raised or flat shiny imprint that enhances the label’s visual appeal.

Benefits of Hot Foil Stamping for Labels:

• Premium Look – Adds a luxurious, high-end finish.

• Durability – Resistant to fading and smudging.

• Customization – Available in various colors, finishes, and textures.

• Versatility – Works on both smooth and textured materials.

Ideal materials for Hot Foil Stamping:

• Paper-Based Materials – Coated Paper (Gloss or Matte), Kraft Paper, Textured or Estate Paper

• Synthetic Materials – Polypropylene (BOPP), Polyester (PET), Vinyl

• Specialty Materials – Holographic Film, Metallic Film

What is Cold Foil Stamping?

Cold foil stamping is a printing technique used to apply a thin metallic foil to labels and packaging without the use of heat. Instead of the traditional hot foil stamping method, cold foil is applied using an adhesive and a UV curing process. This allows for high-quality metallic effects with fine details, gradients, and vibrant colors.

How Cold Foil Stamping Works

1. Adhesive Application – A UV-curable adhesive is printed onto the label substrate in the desired foil areas.

2. Foil Transfer – A thin metallic foil is pressed onto the adhesive.

3. UV Curing – The adhesive is exposed to UV light, which instantly cures and bonds the foil to the substrate.

4. Foil Removal – Excess foil is peeled away, leaving behind a precise metallic design.

Benefits of Cold Foil Stamping for Labels

• Cost-Effective – More affordable than hot foil stamping since it doesn’t require expensive dies.

• Detailed Designs – Allows for intricate details and fine lines that are harder to achieve with hot foil.

• Vibrant Colors – Can be combined with CMYK printing to create colorful metallic effects.

• Faster Production – Works inline with flexographic or digital printing presses, speeding up production.

Eco-Friendly Option – Uses less energy than hot foil stamping since it doesn’t require heat.

Ideal materials for Cold Foil Stamping:

• Smooth Paper-Based Materials – Coated Paper (Gloss or Matte)