OK Paper Blog - OK Paper

Focus on Special Effects- FOIL STAMPING (Fri, 18 May 2012)
Happy Friday and welcome to the final day of our focus on the educational reference piece The Standard No. 5: Special Effects from Sappi. Each day this week, we've given you detailed information along with tips to make each special effect work for you. Today's focus...  Special Printing Technique: FOIL STAMPING Foiled by the shiny robot? In its printed form, this robot was created with holographic patterned and brushed aluminum foils on each of its sprockets. Although foil stamping is a common, well-known special effect these days, the range of possibilities is quite vast. Foil stamping is a heat-stamp process of transferring pigment, clear or metallic foil to paper. It can be combined with embossing to create a dimensional image. Foil stamping was originally developed to replicate gold leaf in the late nineteenth century. Today, you can find a wide variety of gloss, dull and pastel foils called "pigment" foils along with the traditional range of "metallic" foils. And don't forget those patterned, holographic foils that shimmer with the colors of the rainbow with crazy patterns to delight the eye. Foil stamping brings serious shine to any project. Here are some technical tips: The smoother the surface, the shinier the foil. Coated sheets tend to stamp brighter than uncoated sheets. Some foils are formulated for different surfaces. Consult your finisher for the right combination and always test. While it is possible to foil stamp fine details, it is difficult to hold open fine reverses. For example, the inside of the letter "e" often plugs up if the type is smaller than 8 points. Foils can be overprinted with ink for even more creative possibilities. Always test the foil to make sure that it allows the ink to properly adhere before going to press. Sappi, Standard No. 5: Special Effects is printed on various finishes of McCoy, an environmentally responsible premium coated sheet. We have a very limited supply of this paper tool. Contact your O-K Sales or Specification representive to request a copy while supplies last.
>> read more