What is Foil Stamping? How Hot Foil Stamping Works in Printing & Packaging

Have ever wondered how packaging acquires its gold-colored shimmer?

What is it that gives boxes that are custom-designed have a chic and stylish look that other boxes haven't?

Foil stamping could be the solution you've seeking.

What is Foil Stamping?

The process of foil stamping is also referred to by the name of hot foil printing or printing is an method that involves applying foil to another substance to create an aesthetic look. Similar to embossing and de bossing, foil stamping uses both pressure and heat to create distinctive printed designs.

Foil stamping is a distinctive printing technique where heat, pressure, foil , and metal combine to create distinctive visual effects and designs
The foil is available in any color, but typically metallic foils such as silver and gold are employed. Paper rolls, similar to foil can be found with glossy and matte and glossy finishes.

Foil Stamping: A Brief History

The process of stamping foil is rooted in the past in Egypt where gold was beaten by the hammer until it became very thin. Then it was placed on papyrus to give it shine.

As you can imagine the process was labor intensive and was only reserved for the best quality documents. In the early days recording history techniques like gold leaf were generally reserved for religious or royal documents.

Following its invention, the printing press foil stamping was a method of hand-set lettering as well as dies engraved with custom designs. Since the technique was so advanced that foil stamping was initially employed for books and literary works.

For instance, if you wanted to print gold-colored text on the cover of a book it was necessary to choose distinct fonts using lead or brass type, and then join the text by hand each letter at a moment, using a specially-designed die. After the text and die had been crafted and fed to the press that printed the foils of metallic that were engraved into the cover.


Modern foil printing was introduced around the turn of 1900. In Berlin the bookbinder of the century, an expert invented hot-stamping foils in late 1800s. In England the gold atomized by atomization was applied to tiny sheets of film made from polyester. The trend continued to be popular throughout the 1950s and the 1960s.

The Foil Stamping Process in Printing and Packaging

foil stamping process for printing packaging metal plate

Also known in the field of hot foil printing foil stamping is a similar method to engraving and letterpress in that pressure is applied to add color to the paper.


Once the design is approved the metal plates are designed for each color foil, in the form that's required. The dies are then heated. The pressure is applied to secure dies to packaging material, and presses are run several times in order to apply each color separately.

If you are looking for an embossed or raised effect you can use a different die employed to finish the project.

When you start to think about the possibilities of foil stamping for your printing take a look at how your choices regarding matte or gloss embossing, debossing, and UV coating can affect the overall look the packaging.

Common Types of Foil Used in Foil Stamping

There are a variety of different kinds of foil that could be used to create various optical effects to the packaging, for example:

Metallic Foil

If you're thinking in terms of stamping foil, it's most likely the kind of foil that you're thinking about. Metallic foil, sometimes referred to in the field of metallic foil can make your message or space appear shiny and metallic in appearance. It's ideal to add a touch of elegance, particularly with the use of silver or gold foil to finish.

Pigment Foil

Pigment foil is like metabolized foil however, it doesn't feature the metallic look. It is available in a range of colors. They can be purchased with glossy or matte finishes that can make the most stunning appearance or add an element of luxurious and softness

Holographic Foil

Holographic foils produce a kind of the effect of a rainbow in 3D. You've seen this kind of foil in collectibles , such as baseball cards and different trading cards as well as on promotional items.

Other kinds of foil such as pearl foil scratches-off foil, effects foil, and pearl foils - are not as commonly utilized, yet they are widely-known uses for example, invitations to weddings or lottery tickets.

Traditional Foil Stamping

Metallic gold foil stamping process for printing

Once you've mastered the various types that foil stamping can be used for, it's the time to learn the actual processes that are involved.

Foil stamping is possible in two ways:traditional foil stamping and digital foil stamping.

The traditional method of foil stamping is the design is cut out onto a plate of metal. This plate is similar to a normal die but it's specifically used for foiling. It functions similarly to the rubber stamp. The die is pointed by a layer foil you wish to utilize is put in between it and the surface beneath it. Die is placed on the surface, which results in the foil forming a bond to it, in the shape of the design on the plate of metal.

For designs that utilize multiple types of foil colors it is necessary for foiling dies to be made for every color. The packaging material must be run through the machine multiple many times (one every color) to ensure it is possible that the design could be made.

It is also possible at this process to add other features to foil printing, such as an embossed edge , or an elevated appearance so that the final product is more distinct not just visually, but also with an olfactory sense too.

Dijital Foil Stamping

Digital foiling, also known as digital foiling, digital foil stamping uses the same process like traditional foil stamping however, instead of using pressure to adhere images to packaging using a metal die using a traditional printer, digital printers use the same type of foil that bonds to the design's surface. This means there is no requirement for multiple steps of the material to the printer to create packaging designs which utilizes multiple foil patterns or colors.

The method you choose to use isn't necessarily superior to another because both are able to create the effects you'd like to see to create on the packaging. If you have questions about the specifics of the various methods of foil stamping, we'll be more than happy to explain and assist you in choosing the best one for your requirements.

Benefits of Foil Stamping

hot foil stamping digital traditional benefits

Foil stamping can provide a variety of advantages to packaging for retail.

The first thing to consider is that your packaging will be different from other packaging. The metallic or colored foils add an element of attention-grabbing elegance and brilliance to any package , and also gives it a sophisticated look.

Add other effects such as embossed or raised designs, and you'll be able to understand how the packaging can become a completely new level of quality.

In addition, foil stamping is versatile. It's not only reserved for metallic letters, even though that is among the most commonly used choices. Hot foil stamping is strong and impervious to scratches and moisture. It can be applied to various types of packaging (think corrugated boxes and cardboard boxes that fold) and will keep its shine.

Hot foil stamping can be a fantastic method to be noticed and give a touch of class in a bright, attractive gloss, or refined with matte foil stamping.

Ready to Use Foil Stamping in Your Packaging?

If you are awestruck by the beauty and distinctiveness of hot foil stamping and are keen to utilize this timeless method to improve your packaging, call us now for a no-cost estimate, no-obligation consultation.

In Emenac Packaging, our experts have decades of expertise and experience in the creation of a variety of packaging solutions that make use of various forms of printing and foil stamping to ensure that your packaging is perfectly capturing and conceptualizing your brand's identity, your message, and much more.

Put our vast expertise to work with you to help you increase the effectiveness of your packaging using stunning hot foil stamping as well as other printing techniques to impress and inspire your customers to purchase. Trust our experience in assisting hundreds of brands both small and large with their packaging requirements for their products.

Not sure which kind of design you're looking for? We have many talented designers on our staff who can accurately capture your idea and what you would like your brand's message to be conveyed to your intended audience. Contact us today for more about our partnership and let us demonstrate the advantages of using premium packaging.