What is Foil Stamping in Printing and Why You Should Use It?

This is why customizations such as striking designs, alluring colors, and visually appealing finishes are used. One such aesthetically pleasing finishing method is foil stamping. Read this blog to know more than just what is foil stamping as we will be covering its techniques, foil types and uses.

What is Foil Stamping?

Foil stamping printing is a method by which foils in different colors are applied to a surface. This method most commonly uses metal dies, heat, and pressure for the application of foils. However, that is not the only way to do that. Foil stamping gives a glamorous look to the packaging boxes and products. You can use this finish in various ways to enhance the look of your brand. 

Advantages of Using Foil Stamping

There are many advantages to using this high-end finish. Several industries use this finishing method on their packaging boxes to exude a luxury look. Most brands use foil stamping on their custom gift boxes for a visually appealing appearance. Let’s have a look at three main benefits this finishing method provides:

• A Greener Solution

Sustainability is a need more than it is a statement these days. Brands are actively avoiding harmful packaging materials and toxic customizations. Foil stamping in the midst of all that chaos is a non-toxic and easy-to-recycle technique.

• Complements Other Finishes Well

Most of the time brands look for more than one finish to beautify their boxes. And it can get hard to decide which finish will look best with the others. But foil stamping makes all these worries vanish as it can complement finishes such as embossing really well. 

• Saves Costs 

Why go extravagant when you can have royal-looking packaging boxes on a budget? Foil stamping is a cost-effective solution that offers an exquisite look and feel to the boxes. You can use it on several types of boxes including stationery packaging for an enhanced look. 

Types of Foil Stamping Techniques 

There are different techniques available in the market that you can use for your packaging. You can use these techniques as per your brand’s needs and packaging’s printing surface. Let’s have a look at the four techniques for foil stamping:

• Peripheral; foil heat transfer is applied across the entire circumference, and outer perimeter. 
• Sculpted; uses brass dies for a carved-out and a 3D look.
• Flat; copper or magnesium metal stamp transfers the foil to the surface.
• Vertical; stamps foil designs on flat surfaces and cylindrical shapes.

Different Types of Foils for Stamping

There are many types of foils that you can use for stamping on your products or packaging boxes. Each type offers a beautiful look and enhances the visual appeal. Take a look at these 6 types of foils you can use on your boxes to attract customers in the market:

• Metal

The metallic shine or silver foil stamping offers a beautiful look and looks well on colors such as black, green, purple, red, and more. You can use silver foiling on your dark-colored boxes to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your boxes.

• Gold

Most cosmetic packaging chooses gold foil stamping because the color gold gives a luxury look. This foiling will complement grey, brown, olive green, black, etc. really well. You can use this foiling on visual aspects such as the brand’s logo.

• Holographic

Have you ever looked at the boxes that give a rainbow glow when light falls on them? That’s holographic foil stamping and it can give an immaculate sheen to the packaging boxes. Many brands use it on cosmetic boxes, greeting cards, and even envelopes for a beautiful look. 

• Matte Pigment 

The matte pigment is for those who do not like a lot of shine on their boxes. This foiling gives a rich depth to the color with a muted look. Matte pigment looks beautiful in a variety of colors like lilac and sage green. You can use it on chocolate boxes for an enriched look. 

• Special Effect 

You can choose special effects foil to give your packaging a luxurious look. This foil stamping can mimic the appearance of different materials such as leather and marble. You can offer different textures by using this foil on your packaging boxes. 

• Gloss Pigment 

Have you ever stopped in your tracks because a box had a beautiful shine? Well, you can achieve that with the gloss pigment foil stamping. This stamping offers a beautiful sheen and complements every color really well. 

Hot vs Cold Stamping; What’s the Difference?

The quest to find the difference between hot and cold stamping goes way back. It all starts with a basic question of knowing what is foil, and soon you are roped into the world of foiling. Cold foil stamping is cost-effective as compared to hot foil. 

The reason is that the cold foil doesn’t use any resources to be heated as it can be done at room temperature. This is why cold foil is also efficient because hot foil needs to be heated and then cooled down for application. Let’s have a look at the difference between hot and cold foil stamping in the table below:

When to Use Foil Stamping?

Different industries use foil stamping to make their boxes attractive regardless of the products being packaged. Foil stamping is widely used on cosmetic boxes because of the high-end look it offers. 

Besides being used on boxes, brands are using this finish on bottles and jars for a visually appealing look. People use this stamping on their wedding invitation cards, greeting cards, and so on. Most business cards and ATM cards also use this stamping in different colors. You can also use it on chocolate boxes to give a luxury look to your chocolates. 

Exude Luxury with Custom Foil Stamping

So now if someone asks you to define foiling, you would be able to do that right? Let’s give your customers a memorable experience with foil stamping. Give your packaging boxes and products a glamorous look with foil stamping. Let Custom Boxes Lane help you in this regard. Just drop us an email, and we will get back to you with a free personalized quote.