What Is Foil stamping?
Updated · Vorex Packaging
Foil stamping is a finishing process that uses a heated metal die to press a thin metallic or colored foil onto packaging. The foil sticks only where the die touches, creating shiny gold, silver, copper, holographic or colored details, often on logos and borders, with a reflective look that ink cannot reproduce.
In hot foil stamping, a custom die shaped like your design is heated and pressed against a roll of foil laid on the box surface. Heat and pressure release the foil from its carrier film and bond it to the board.
Popular foil options
- Metallic: gold, silver, rose gold and copper.
- Holographic: rainbow patterns that shift with the light.
- Pigment foils: solid colors, including matte and gloss white or black.
Design tips
Foil works best on solid shapes, logos and medium-weight text. Very fine lines and tiny type can fill in or break up. Supply the foil area as a separate vector layer or spot color. Foil can be combined with embossing for a raised metallic effect, or placed on soft-touch and matte laminated boxes for contrast. It shows clearly on kraft too, giving a natural and metallic mix that many craft brands like.
