Hot stamping brings an elegant shine to any surface where it’s applied – and is distinctively luxurious. It’s a very simple printing technique that uses hot dies to achieve an elevated look that can be glossy, holographic or matte. Hot stamping brings a premium touch to many different materials, whether that is business cards, packaging or business stationery. It’s a very simple way to add a touch of elegance that is distinctive and eye-catching.
Hot stamping – how does it work?
The process is simple and easy to scale so it’s a versatile way to add something extra to your designs. Metal dies are engraved with the hot stamping design and then heated up. When the dies are hot they are placed against metallic foil and, on the other side of the foil, the material that the design is going to be stamped on. The application of heat and pressure transfers the design in foil onto the material once the dies are removed.
Using hot stamping to add premium personalisation
You don’t have to look too far to find a premium brand that is using hot stamping to elevate its designs. Louis Vuitton even offers this to its customers – anyone can take their LV product into a store with a hot stamping service and have up to three letters stamped onto the product in a range of different foil colours. The process of hot stamping at Louis Vuitton is used to add personalisation to products but also distinctiveness and decadence.
Hot stamping as premium packaging
The process of hot stamping for packaging is exactly the same as what is achieved at LV on a small scale – and there are many premium brands that already use it. Different colours and textures of foils can be employed in a myriad of creative ways to create a final result that is completely unique to an individual brand. Coloured backgrounds can be used to ensure that the foils really jump off the page or packaging – the classic combination of black background and hot stamping metallics have been used by a whole range of premium brands including BMW.
Why use hot stamping to achieve a premium effect?
- It really does make an impact. Customers are not only more likely to reach for packaging that has metallic elements but to perceive it as a more expensive product.
- There is so much opportunity for creative expression. The options for hot stamping are limited only by your own imagination, whether you’re looking for holographic foil on a hot pink background or gold foil stamping combined with embossing for a more traditional and textural feel.
- Hot stamping is available to any brand. You don’t have to be a well established big hitter like Louis Vuitton to start using hot stamping in your packaging. While it may have a premium look, hot stamping is accessible to all.
If you’re keen to upgrade your packaging to premium, using hot stamping is a great way to do it.
Contact Metallic Elephant to find out how you can add that premium touch to your packaging with hot stamping today.