Foil printing is the process of adding foils to a material such as paper or card to create a distinctive metallic finish. It is a technique that has been used for centuries to make designs unique and convey a sense of luxury and high quality. Given the range of options that are available for foil printing today, there are many different ways to use this to create something striking, whether that is for business or personal reasons.
What does foil printing actually mean?
The basic function of foil printing is applying a shiny metallic finish to marketing materials, such as flyers, business cards or product packaging. It can also be used for many other different purposes, including wedding invitations and greetings cards. The main reason that many people invest in foil printing is because it can be a great way to create an eye-catching and luxurious finish. All kinds of research has been done about the impact of using foil printing, from the way that it draws consumer attention to products on shelves to the perceptions it tends to convey about quality and luxury.
What are the different options with foil printing?
There is an endless array of options when it comes to creating the design that you want with foil printing. For example, you could choose from a broad spectrum of different coloured foils that range from traditional gold or silver through to metallic shades of green or orange, or new metallics like rose gold. There are also many different finishes to choose from, including holographic and matte.
How do you make foil printing happen?
Two main methods are used to bring foil printing to life. The first is digital printing, where the metallic foil is applied via a printer. This can be simpler and cheaper but has a less textural and less shiny look. The other option is traditional hot foiling, where a printing die is imprinted with the design that you want to achieve and this is pressed onto your chosen material – with a layer of foil in between – while heat and pressure are applied. If you opt for hot stamping this will deboss the material slightly and create a much deeper and more textural finish.
What can you use foil printing for?
It was actually first used for embellishing book covers. Today, foil printing has many more uses including:
- Foil printing onto card or paper to create labels, menus, brochures, greetings cards etc.
- Applying to high quality paper or other materials to bring invitations to life.
- Helping to make customised cards more distinctive, whether they are loyalty cards or business cards.
- Creating unique packaging and packaging details, such as stickers and labels.
Foil printing is very easy and accessible but creates quite the impression. It can be used to convey a sense of high quality and credibility, as well as a unique design. Whether you are keen to produce business cards that stand out from competitors or packaging that will attract the right customers it’s a very unique and effective technique.