Step 1
Die
An engraved metal die carries your artwork. Mounted to the press, it defines exactly where foil lands.
Foil School
Learn the craft of foil.
For printers, designers, packaging engineers and curious brand teams. Simple language, illustrated, with hard-earned finishing knowledge made visual.
The fundamentals
Three things make a perfect stamp: Die, Heat, Pressure.
Step 2
Heat
The die heats to roughly 90-120°C, activating the heat-sensitive adhesive on the back of the foil.
Step 3
Pressure
The hot die presses the foil onto the surface. Heat and pressure together bond the metallic layer permanently.
Anatomy of a foil
What's inside.
A stamping foil is a stack of ultra-thin layers. Heat releases the decorative layers from their carrier and the adhesive bonds them to your substrate, leaving only the finish behind.
Layer 1
Polyester Carrier Film (PET)
Provides strength and stability during transfer.
Layer 2
Release Layer
Allows the decorative layers to separate from the carrier film when heat is applied.
Layer 3
Colour Lacquer Layer
Creates the visible foil color and finish.
Layer 4
Aluminium Metallization Layer
Provides metallic shine and reflectivity.
Layer 5
Heat-Activated Adhesive Layer
Bonds the foil to the substrate during stamping.
Transfer direction · foil to substrate
Substrate
Hot vs cold foil
Two processes, one premium finish.
Compare
Hot Foil
Cold Foil
Activation
Heat + die
UV adhesive
Best for
Sharp detail, premium finish
High-speed, fine detail inline
Speed
Moderate
Very fast
Tooling
Engraved die required
No heated die
Typical use
Packaging, cards, publishing
Labels, flexible packaging
Temperature reference
Dial in the heat.
Most hot stamping runs between 90°C and 140°C. Too cold and the foil will not release; too hot and it spreads or burns. The sweet spot depends on foil grade, substrate and dwell time.
80°C · too cold90-120°C · ideal150°C+ · too hot
Go deeper
The essentials, explained.
01
What is hot stamping foil?
A heat-transferable metallic or pigment layer applied to a substrate under pressure. Permanent, sharp, no ink involved.
02
Hot vs cold foil
Hot uses heat and die. Cold uses adhesive and UV. Hot is sharper, cold is faster; both have their place.
03
How foil stamping works
Die, heat and pressure. Get these three right and the finish follows on every job.
04
How to choose the right foil
Substrate first. Brand intent second. Finish third. We help printers and designers triangulate.
05
Common mistakes
Wrong temperature, wrong dwell time or the wrong substrate. Most foil defects are specification mismatches and fixable.
06
Foil compatibility
Coated and uncoated board, UV-coated stock, plastics, leather and textiles each need their own foil grade.