What are the Two Types of Foil Stamping Methods?

The two main types of hot foil stamping methods in use today are the traditional hot stamp method and the digital foil printing method.

Traditional Hot Foiling:

In the traditional foiling process, the design to be stamped is first engraved or etched into a metallic plate (known as a foiling die or die cut).

Using heat and pressure in the foil printing machine, the design is then transferred onto the print surface (the surface that needs to be foiled), from the die.

In case there is more than one coloured design that needs to be foiled, separate metal dies need to be prepared for each colour. The dies are then applied to the medium one by one in order to achieve the final result.

For embossed designs, a special effects foil die needs to be prepared that can produce that sort of effect on the medium.

Digital Hot Foiling:

A digital hot foiling printing machine is similar to a traditional hot foiling machine in their outward appearance. However, the difference between them lies in the way the foil is attached to the surface of the medium.

In digital foil stamping, the graphic design is digitally printed onto the medium using a specialised foil that sticks to the medium. There are no dies that are separately prepared in this method.

Digital foiling is very similar to conventional ink printing methods. It does not require multiple runs of the machine in case there is more than one colour or design that needs to be foiled.