Discover the Magic of Foil Printing in Custom Packaging
We exist in a hyper-competitive market where every second of customer attention is deemed valuable. In such a market, custom packaging for products has become more than a means to just protect and pack items. Custom packaging is now an extension of your brand and can help deliver a memorable unboxing experience.
In the arena of custom packaging, we deliver such impactful branding experience through various techniques ranging from box material to box structure to print techniques. One such technique that undeniably adds elegance and luxury to the customized boxes is foil printing.
Foil printing can captivate the audience through its shine and metallic details. It stands out equally beautifully against printed or unprinted boxes, bleached or kraft paper. But like with everything, a balance is required to achieve the most optimized impact.
Foil printing requires a balance between design and material, and it can sometimes be tricky to get the perfect finish, especially on certain textures or shapes. The cost of such box customizations can also add up if you’re aiming for large runs or intricate designs. So, how do you navigate these challenges while still achieving the stunning results foil printing offers?
You don’t want the foil stamp to look tacky or not too impactful and this is why our designers have put together a comprehensive guide explaining about the types and best-case uses of foil printing for customized boxes.
Let’s see how foil printing can take your custom packaging experience to the next level.
Foil Printing
Foil printing uses speciality metallic or pigmented paper to create a shiny or reflective finish on a solid surface. The process involves using adhesive, heat or pressure to stamp the foil onto the desired area typically including logos, text on print or enhancements within the print.
The result is a shiny, eye-catching effect that adds a luxurious or high-quality look to packaging or printed materials. It is commonly used for packaging, invitations, business cards, and labels to make them stand out and give a polished, professional appearance.
The quality of foil printing depends on the quality of the die and the selected surface paper used to make them. The best quality dies are composed of brass or copper, whereas the average and less costly option is magnesium.
How Does it Work?
Foil stamping is typically done using one of the three machines; straight stamp press, clamshell press or roll press.
Straight stamp presses or impression markers are used to cater to a large quantity of foiled paper and prove to be especially great for large packaging jobs. The clamshell press opens and closes like a clam, bonding the surface material to the foil with the pressure of this movement. It is designed for small to medium-scale jobs. Finally, the roll press is similar to the straight stamp press with the difference of involving a flat die pressed onto a round part as opposed to a straight stamping part. As the press roll, it prints the foil keeping the pressure applied to the base surface to a minimum.
In terms of the actual process, there are premdominantly two ways to foil an artwork;
- Hot Foil Printing:
A heated die is used to press the foil onto the desired surface. The heat allows for the foil to bond with the base material thereby creating a high-quality and long-lasting finish. With advancements in technology, the use of hot foil stamping has increased with the machines enabling printers to cater to large volumes of jobs in a short period.
- Cold Foil Printing:
An adhesive is used to apply the foil. This process is quicker, more cost-effective and works better for delicate surfaces. However, coil foil printing is not as durable and often used where speed and cost-effectiveness are more important project objectives.
Types and Textures of the Foil
Foiling comes in a variety of types and textures, allowing you to add a distinctive touch to your customized boxes. Choosing the right foil can impact whether the decision of foil stamping added the desired value to your customer packaging or not. Different types of foil can allow your customized boxes to range from sleek, to modern to luxurious look and feel.
Let’s have a look at the most popular types and textures to help you decide what’s best for your packaging.
images | Metallic Foil | This is the most common type of foil used in printing. It offers a high-shine finish, perfect for adding a premium feel to packaging. Popular metallic foils colors include gold, silver, copper and pearl and are often used to highlight logos or important elements on customized boxes, making them stand out and catch the customer’s eye. |
| Matte Foil | Matte foil gives a subtler, more understated look compared to metallic options. It’s perfect for brands looking to convey elegance without the extra shine. Matte foil works well on custom packaging where you want a soft yet impactful finish. Both metallic and matte foils come in a range of pigments, the choice of which depends on what fits best with the design of your customized boxes. |
| Holographic Foil | If you’re aiming for a bold, eye-catching effect, holographic foil is the way to go. It reflects multiple colors when exposed to light, creating a dazzling visual. This type of foil is often used on custom packaging for limited edition products or special events to create an eye-catching wow factor. |
| Glossy / Transparent Foil | Glossy or transparent foil is used to provide high brilliance to areas that need to be emphasized. This is done through ultra-clear lacquer and works extremely well to mimic spot UV. It is ideal to use glossy or transparent foiling to highlight certain elements of the print design such as a character’s sunglasses, or drinking glass. |
| Pearl / Translucent Foil | A beautiful pearlescent/translucent result on your paper gives it a glimmer. Pearl white foil has a balanced combination of luxury and subtleness. It is a great option for cosmetic or jewelry brands that want to shine but remain classy. |
| Textured Foil | For something a little more unique, textured foil offers a tactile element that adds depth to your packaging design. With various patterns available, textured foil can create a truly customized look, adding both visual and physical appeal to your custom packaging. |
Why use Foil Printing in Custom Packaging
Foil stamps create a point of differentiation within the design print and act as an anchor for customer attention. Even if the design is able to grab the attention and create a wow moment for a few seconds, the brain registers this emotion and steers the brand perception.
Creative and elegant use of foil stamps can allow customer to remember the targeted aspects of the customized boxes more and therefore act as an important branding element. The value that foil printing contributes to customized boxes can be divided into the following key categories:
- Luxurious Feel
Foiling gives a luxurious and elegant feel to your package. Pick any custom packaging and you will see how brands stand out from their competitors with smart use of finishes such as foiling and UV. It gives your package a prestigious feel while resting on the shelf with the competitors. If you want your brand to be associated with premium brands in the field, then consider using premium hot foil on your artwork/branding.
- Versatile Design Options
As we have seen in the types of foil and its processes, foil printing is not just gold or solver foil and neither are they only matte or metallic. There is a range of textures, colors and stamping options that can allows your customized boxes to stand out in a variety of ways. A choice of base material and the choice of foiling is only limited to your packaging manufacturers’s creativity and expertise – and your budget of course.
- Boosts Brand Recognition
There is a reason most brands choose to print their brand names on their customized boxes (especially product boxes) in foil. Brands need the stir of positive emotions and creation of associations with the brand such as luxury, premium and aesthetic. Foil printing can allow for these feelings in the customers to be evoked. Who can, and why would they, say no to this?
- Durable and Long-Lasting
One of the great things about foiling is its durability. Correctly done, it can resist fading and scratching so your packaging will continue to look great even after handling or extended display. You can trust that your brand will shine for longer.
Incorporating Foil Printing in Custom Packaging Designs
Foil printing for custom packaging is great – we have established this. But in the start of the article we promised our design team’s opinion on how to best incorporate foil stamps.
One of our designers, Khadija, with a decade of experience as a UI/UX and Product Designer says this,
“With design elements that shine and stand out, less is always more. Because literally if everything looks shiny, then literally nothing will stand out. Start with figuring out your design and then think how minimally you can add subtle yet beautiful accents with foil.
Another one of our senior designers, Zohaib has something to say about the color choice in foil printing.
“Take care that the foil color or texture does not over power the remaining design but is still visible. For example, metallic gold foiling looks best on Kraft boxes but might seem too much on glossy yellow or orange boxes. Similarly, within a floral print, hints of complementing foils can take your design to the next level.”
Typically foil stamps are used to make logos stand out on packaging. It can also be applied to text, such as product names or descriptions, to add a touch of class and make important information more visible. It’s an amazing way to emphasize key details without overwhelming the overall design. Moreover, you can also apply foils to seals or certifications on packaging, highlighting authenticity or special features like organic or premium quality. It helps these important elements stand out clearly.
For special occasions or limited-edition products, foiling can add an extra layer of elegance. It’s often used on gift boxes to make them look more attractive and desirable, making them perfect for seasonal or promotional packaging. Finally, by adding foil to borders or decorative patterns you can create a refined, polished look of the boxes. You can use it for luxury or limited-edition items, giving them a unique and high-quality appearance.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth it?
Foil stamping is definitely worth considering as it adds a premium touch to your packaging.It improves appearance, durability, and offers a range of design options that can help your packaging stand out.
The add-on cost per box will depend on the complexity of the design, the production scale and the type of foil that you use. If you have repeat order for custom packaging, it is best to order in larger quantities which would help you save up on cost/unit and shipping costs. While it may come with a higher cost compared to standard printing methods, the added value it brings in terms of branding and product perception can make it a smart investment for businesses looking to create a memorable impression.
RELATED BLOGS
