What is Foil Stamping? Features and Key Considerations

Applying foil stamping gives a more luxurious feel compared to regular printing. However, for fine text or intricate designs, reproduction can be challenging. Therefore, it's important to understand the characteristics of foil stamping in advance. In this article, we explain the features, benefits, and key considerations when using foil stamping.

We also provide production examples, so if you're considering incorporating foil stamping into your projects, please use this as a reference.

Our company produces product labels and stickers with foil stamping. If you have any questions about foil stamping, feel free to consult us below.

What is Foil Stamping? Features and Mechanism Explained

Foil stamping is a method of transferring foil, such as gold or silver, using heat and pressure.

By utilizing the color and texture of the foil, the result is a more glamorous and luxurious finish compared to regular printing. This makes it a popular choice for creating a sense of exclusivity.

Features of Foil Stamping

Foil stamping enhances the glossiness, creating a sense of luxury and exclusivity.

Especially when used on brand logos or product packaging, it strengthens visual impact and makes it easier for customers to remember.

Additionally, applying foil stamping to text or logos is effective in differentiating products. Foil stamping is widely used in various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, and business cards.

The Mechanism of Foil Stamping

Foil stamping is a process that uses heat and pressure to transfer foil onto paper or other materials, and it is also known as "hot stamping."

The steps of the foil stamping process are as follows.

When processing, it is important to carefully adjust the pressure of the plate, the temperature, and the speed of the machine.

If the adjustments are insufficient, pinholes (areas where the foil is not properly transferred) may occur in the foiled areas. Therefore, some steps require the skill of a craftsman.

At our company, we pay particular attention to the following points to achieve a more beautiful finish in foil stamping.

Key points	detail
Transfer by thermocompression	If the temperature is too high, the foil melts, and if it is too low, the transfer does not go well, so the temperature is adjusted to an appropriate level.
Fine-tuning the pressure	If the pressure is too high, the fine print will be crushed, and if it is too low, the characters will be blurred, so the pressure must be adjusted carefully.
Choosing the right foil	Even with the same gold leaf, the finish varies depending on the product number, so choose the product number that best suits your paper.
Prevention measures for Chile	A small fan is installed in the transfer area to prevent airborne particles from being mixed in.
Use of high-quality foil plates	Since crude foil printing affects the final product, we outsource the work to a company with experienced craftsmen.

These careful adjustments allow us to achieve beautiful and durable foil stamping, even for delicate designs.

For more detailed information about the foil stamping process for stickers, please refer to the article below.

Foil Stamping Process for Stickers | A Step-by-Step Guide

Main Features of Foil Stamping

The main features of foil stamping are as follows:

Effect 1: Can Highlight the Design

The charm of foil stamping is its ability to create a sense of luxury. By using foils with glossy or matte finishes, it easily attracts attention and makes the design stand out.
As a result, it is easier for recipients to remember the design, giving it a sense of exclusivity. Foil stamping allows you to create more attractive printed materials.

Effect 2: Can Be Applied to Many Materials

Foil stamping is highly versatile and can be applied to a variety of materials.
By changing the type of adhesive, it can be used not only on regular paper but also on materials like polypropylene, clear files, leather, and more. This makes it suitable for unique items like custom stickers or special labels.
This process is also recommended for creating distinctive items.

Effect 3: No Thickness Restrictions

Foil stamping works by pressing from above, so there are no thickness limitations for the materials being processed.
This makes it possible to work with thicker items such as thick cards or leather products, offering a high degree of freedom.
However, for thin paper, the back may be affected. It is recommended to confirm with the printing company in advance.

Types of Foil Used in Foil Stamping

There are different types of foils used in foil stamping. Here, we will introduce the following three types.

Type 1: Gold Foil and Silver Foil

Type 1: Gold Foil and Silver Foil
Gold and silver foils are commonly used in foil stamping, providing a luxurious and elegant finish. These foils add a high-end touch to designs, making them ideal for premium products, packaging, and branding.

kinds	Features
Metallic gold leaf (Murata Gold Leaf No. 3)	・The most commonly used gold leaf ・Also called "blue gold", it is a slightly bluish gold color
Metallic gold leaf (Murata Gold Leaf No. 6)	・It is called "akagane" (red gold) and has a slightly reddish gold color
Silver foil	・Ideal for creating a sophisticated impression ・When used on white paper, it creates a refined finish ・When used on black paper, it creates a luxurious finish

Type 2: Color Foil

Color foil refers to foils available in a variety of colors, with both glossy and matte finishes. Particularly, pigment foils made from pigments or resins have a matte texture with no gloss, giving them a crayon-like appearance. They don’t reflect light like gold or silver foils, providing a more subdued and calm impression.

Additionally, there are glossy color foils available, which can be selected based on the application. They are durable and maintain their beauty over time. With a wide range of colors, color foil allows for diverse and vibrant design expressions.

Type 3: Holographic Foil

Holographic foil is a type of foil embedded with glitter, producing a sparkling effect. Holographic foils are commonly used in products like pin badges or promotional stickers. They reflect light strongly, giving a bright and glittering impression.

Furthermore, holographic foils come in various shapes and colors, such as star-shaped or heart-shaped designs. However, depending on its usage, holographic foil can sometimes give a cheap impression, so it's important to make a suitable choice based on the design.

For more information about foil color variations, please refer to the article below.

Foil Stamping Process for Stickers | A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying embossing along with foil stamping can create a sense of exclusivity.

Combining embossing with foil stamping results in a more exclusive finish.

Embossing is a process that raises designs or text, creating a three-dimensional effect. The texture becomes richer when touched, making it ideal for emphasizing special printed materials or brand images. This combination offers a unique design that enhances luxury and originality.

For more detailed information about embossing, please refer to the article below.

Embossed Labels Explained | Elevate Your Impressions!

Foil Stamping Production Examples

Here, we showcase labels and stickers with foil stamping that we have produced. Below are some examples of our work. If you're considering foil stamping for your designs, please use these examples as a reference.

Example 1: Holly Live Co., Ltd. - Embossed + Foil Stamped Sticker

We created two types of print packaging stickers for Holly Live Co., Ltd. A vibrant green was printed as a single color, with embossing and gold foil stamping applied on top.

The foil used is a matte champagne gold, which is a subtle yet luxurious shade that is highly popular. Additionally, the embossing creates raised textures, enhancing the design not only visually but also through its tactile quality, providing a finished product that makes a lasting impression through both appearance and touch.

For more detailed information about the production for Holly Live Co., Ltd., please refer to the article below.

Holy Lives Co., Ltd. - Embossed + Foil Stamping Stickers

Example 2: Blue Note Co., Ltd. - Foil Stamped Sticker

We produced product labels for Blue Note Co., Ltd., applying foil stamping for a luxurious finish.

The Yupo material is highly water-resistant, making it ideal for maintaining quality in frozen and refrigerated environments. Additionally, the use of OG3 alloy gold foil adds an elegant shine to the labels.

For more detailed information about the product labels for Blue Note Co., Ltd., please refer to the article below.

Blue Note Co., Ltd. - Foil Stamping Stickers

Example 3: Original - Foil Stamped and Embossed Sticker

We created an original sticker for the designer's printing magazine "Design no Hikidashi 43." The sticker features the message "GOOD VIBES" as part of its design.

We selected Washi cotton as the material and printed it in a single light blue color. After printing, we applied silver foil stamping with a glossy finish and added embossing to create raised textures. This demonstrates that foil stamping with options other than gold can add uniqueness to your design.

For more information about creating original stickers, please refer to the article below.

Original Foil Stamped Embossed Stickers

Precautions When Applying Foil Stamping

Finally, here are some important precautions to keep in mind when applying foil stamping.

The main points to note are as follows:

Caution 1: More Expensive Than Regular Printing

Foil stamping tends to be more costly compared to standard printing.
This is because it requires special foils and custom plates, which add to both material and processing costs.

Especially for large production runs or complex designs, the cost may increase further.
Therefore, it’s important to check the pricing in advance when considering foil stamping.

We offer rough estimates for foil-stamped stickers. For more details, please refer to the link below.

Foil Stamping Stickers for a Touch of Elegance and Impact

Caution 2: Fine Text and Designs Are Prone to Distortion

Fine text and thin lines in a design are more likely to become distorted during foil stamping, so extra care is needed.
It’s important to consider appropriate line weight and size from the design stage.

When requesting foil stamping from a printing company, we recommend making text and designs slightly larger and confirming in advance whether they will be clearly visible after processing.

Below is a guideline for the minimum size we recommend for foil-stamped stickers.

For more detailed information on the minimum font size and line width for foil-stamped stickers, please refer to the article below.

Minimum Size for Foil Stamping: Key Guidelines and Standards

Caution 3: Uneven Paper Surfaces Can Lead to Inconsistent Results

When foil stamping is applied to paper with an uneven surface, the finish tends to be inconsistent.
This is because the irregularities in the paper prevent even pressure during the transfer process, allowing air to get in and making it difficult for the foil to adhere properly.

This is especially noticeable when applying foil over a large area, where small holes or uneven spots may appear.
If you plan to use textured paper, we recommend consulting with your printing company in advance.

Create Luxurious Stickers with Foil Stamping

Foil stamping is an effective method for adding a sense of luxury and elegance. It's especially recommended for brand logos, product labels, and promotional stickers.

However, it’s important to be aware that foil stamping is more costly than standard printing and that fine designs may not reproduce well.
By understanding the characteristics of foil stamping and carefully planning your design and materials in advance, you can achieve a beautiful final result.

Our company produces product labels and stickers like the ones introduced in this article.
We offer full support from material selection to final production, so please feel free to contact us below.