Tech Tips

Facing Floody Print
Finishers repeatedly face the challenge of producing a clean print without flooding (foil fill-in). The following suggestions could help solve this re-occurring problem.

Make-Ready
The correct make-ready preparation is a key step to your foil success. When stamping small type or an intricate design, hard make-ready board like epoxy glass board or phenolic board seems to work best. The result will be a crisp stamp without punch on the back side of the sheet.

Proper Foil
Make certain that you are using the proper foil. Foil is manufactured with different releases and adhesives for particular paper stock and applications. Working closely with your foil supplier will assure that you will find the best foil for fine-line stamping. Source: FSEA Newsletter.

Test It Out!
When stamping your foil to the substrates, make sure your foil adheres and bonds well. Here's a simple test for adhesion: Put medium tack masking tape over the imprinted area, remove with a rapid jerking motion. If no pigment is visible on the tape, you have a good strong transfer and bond. Another test would be to moisten a cloth with rubbing alcohol, wipe the area back and forth at least five times without removing any pigment.

Solid Panel Tips

Smudge-Proofing
Often jobs may require stamping a solid panel of white foil on a dark background, e.g. duplex. Problems can arise if customers type on the white foil panel. Invariably, no matter what foil is used the typed letters will smudge or rub off. To overcome this, use a fine screened die for a white panel. This gives the same appearance as a solid panel and the smudging is eliminated. -- Source FSEA

Trapped Gas
When foil stamping, gas can build up between the foil and the paper. If your image has many solid areas, the gas can get trapped and cause bubbles. To avoid this, we can use a fine screen that will not be noticeable, but will allow the gases to escape. If you think your job might require this, you can fax us a copy and we'll discuss your project.