HOT STAMPING FOILS

General Information

The information published here is to illustrate and describe our hot stamping foils available for marking and decorating a wide variety of materials. It includes essential product specifications to guide and assist in the selection and application of our hot stamping foils.

We offer the widest selection of hot stamping foil grades, colours and finishes and maintain the industry's largest stock in strategically located warehouses to ensure prompt delivery. Recommendations for usage are to help in selecting the correct foil to meet a particular application.

We will gladly send you samples for testing and evaluation of our hot stamping foil in your own plant. When requesting samples, please specify or submit materials to be stamped. Additionally our foil testing facilities together with technical sales people are at your service for consultation and assistance.

Caution

The following information is designed to assist in the selection of hot stamping foils for particular applications. However, the information given is intended purely as a guide. In many cases more than one grade of foil has been recommended for a particular application. This is because of the wide range of hot stamping machines in use and the variations encountered in substrates and print requirements. For these reasons it is essential that customers carry out their own tests to ascertain the most suitable grade for their applications.

The information given here is based on our experience and research as well as that of our customers and is correct to the best of our knowledge. However, as we have no control over user conditions, we cannot accept liability.

Other Factors to Consider

Toxicity

If required, we can supply foils that are non toxic according to standards laid down by health authorities. Our technical staff will assist you in making your choice.

Metal Corrosion

When metallised foils are stamped onto ink or plastic surfaces, or materials that contain certain chemicals, there is a possibility that the metallic layer may be attacked. This possibility is even more likely if the substrate is moist at the time of stamping, eg. from a gluing operation, or if stored after blocking in an atmosphere of high humidity.

It is essential that before any stamping programme is carried out on such substrates, test stampings are made and prints subjected to high humidity for a period of two or three days.

Migration (Plasticisers)

When foils are stamped onto soft flexible plastics, such as PVC, there is a possibility that the plasticisers used in such substrates will migrate into the foiled area. The surface of this area may become 'tacky' or smudge and in the case of coloured metallic and gold foils the colour will gradually fade. This may occur after blocking where work is stacked. In our range there are foils designed to reduce this possibility. However, because circumstances at the time of blocking are beyond our control, we cannot assume any liability and would stress that tests for plasticiser migration be carried out before any blocking is attempted on such substrates, and test prints be subjected to heat and pressure for a period of two or three days.

Oxidation

Some metallic foils and imitation bronze powder foils when blocked onto natural leathers may eventually be affected by oxidation. They can also corrode when in contact with any acidity on the substrate. Imitation bronze foils may also have a tendency to smear slightly.

Foil Storage Conditions

Most standard foils can be stored safety under normal conditions, ie. at temperatures between 5 degrees C (40 degrees F) and 20 degrees C (68 degrees F) and a relative humidity of between 30% and 70%. Care should be taken to avoid storage close to heating pipes and radiators, or in direct sunlight.

Special care should be taken when storing low temperature grades. Rolls should not be subjected to high temperature, or pressure, which could result in delamination. Rolls should be stood on end, avoid stacking rolls horizontally.

How Foils are Specified

Almost all our foils are made up of a grade and a shade code. For our Australian made foils this will be 3 letters (the grade of foil) and 3 numbers (the shade of foil) ie EFE 029 is EFE grade and 029 shade gold. Not all grades are available in all shades so it is important to check that the colour selected is available in a foil grade suitable for the substrate to be printed on.

To specify a foil you need to select

1. A Grade of foil either metallic, gloss pigment or mat pigment that is suitable for the substrate and type of image. Do this from the Quick Application Reference Table below.
2. A shade of foil checking that the grade selected is available in the shade selected. Do this from the Foil Grades Table below.
3. A width of roll required
4. Length of roll required
5. Size of core suitable for your printing machine (this is normally going to be either 25mm or 76mm)

To aid this process lets look at each of these steps

1 . Foil Grades

These are grouped together in the three main ways a foil can be supplied - Metallic, Gloss pigment and mat pigment. These can then be broken up into easy release, medium release or tight relaese. For instance EFE, EFF, and EFA are all Metallic grades however EFE is described as an easy release foil and is suitable for broarder coverage work whereas EFF is a medium release foil suitable for general purpose work and EFA is described as tight release and is suitable for fine detail work.

2. Foil Shades

Due to the unique features of Metallic foils it is not possible to reproduce them here. It is also very difficult to faithfully reproduce the gloss and mat pigment shade here. You will therefore need to ask us for a shade reference chart.

Metallic Shades

These are the foils that make hot stamping unique. The bright metallic finish gold, silver and colours are unique to hot stamping. Shade references should be checked against the colour cards before ordering. However, owing to variations in formulas from one grade to another, each has its own distinctive characteristics, giving a slightly different appearance between shades with the same reference numbers.

Gloss and Mat Pigment Shades

The colour charts show shades obtained when a solid area is stamped onto a white gloss card. NOTE: Some mat pigments such as red and maroon can smudge if rubbed. It is the responsibility of the customer to test for abrasion and smudge resistance.

Shades may appear slightly darker if stamped:

a) at too high a temperature
b) with too much pressure
c) with too much dwell
d) in fine detail work
e) on a very dark or contrasting background

They may appear slightly lighter if stamped:

a) at too tow a temperature
b) with too little pressure
c) with a rubber die
d) with insufficient dwell
e) on a similar coloured background
f) onto clear plastic

3. Roll Width

Foils are manufactured in mill rolls and then wound down to a stockable format known as a Master Roll. Standard widths are 61Omm, 640mm with a limited range available in 1280mm. Standard lengths are 61 m, 122m, 244m and 305m. Other lengths are available on request such as 500m, 1000m, 1500m and 2000m.

4. Roll Length

Packmark stock Master rolls in 122M and 305M lengths and depending on the grade of foil in 610mm and 640mm widths. We slit these Master rolls down to any roll size from 12mm upwards.

5. Core Sizes

Foil is normally wound onto a 25mm (1") internal diameter cardboard core. Foils can be supplied on 17mm (5/8"), 40mm (1.57"), 76mm (3"), and 152mm (6") cores on special request.

FOIL SELECTION GUIDE

Metallic Foils

Gloss Pigment Foils

Matt Pigment Foils

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