Foiling

Foil is a film with a metal or colour pigment applied to a printed page using a block. It is a non-ink based process applied after the printing has been completed. While other techniques to enhance the aesthetic of a book cover – metallic ink (either PMS or digital), metallic foiling has a metal look of authenticity.

Foiling is a process accomplished by a number of techniques:

Digital – Konica Minolta print machines have great digital foiling capability.  

An add-on machine uses heat to stick foil to particular areas of toner (used in the printing process). No block is required meaning the process is quick and cost effective (for short print runs).

Cold Foiling – Uses an adhesive transferred by a plate to the previously printed surface. The foil is then applied to the adhesive.  This process is only cost effective for very large print runs.

Hot Foiling (Hot Stamp Foiling) – A heated block is used to fuse the foil onto the substrate surface. The “stamp” element means there is also pressure applied to the substrate. A combination of this heat and pressure binds the foil to the book page/book cover. The pressure of the plate means there is an ever-so-slight indent (similar to the effect of debossing).

Combination Foiling – This is Hot Foil Stamping with an added female block above the substrate. This mean when the blocks are applied it produces a metallic foiled embossed area. The process happens simultaneously i.e. the foiling and embossing.