Hot stamping
This technology is used to apply metallic layers on the surface of printed materials. The combined heat and pressure activates the adhesive on the back side of the metallic foil, which binds and then releases the metallic foil in a specific shape defined by the design on the stamping plate. The results are highly efficient, rich in detail and are often times used in product with very high added value. This technology can be used to ensure product originality and brand protection using holographic foils or the direct application of regular holograms.
Cold stamping
This is a simpler alterative to hot stamping as the adhesive is applied to the material using flexographic or offset printing and then the metallic foil is stamped onto the surface; the material then passes through a UV lamp activating the adhesive followed by the removal of the remaining foil thereby leaving behind the metallic image determined by where the adhesive was applied. The final product is not as perfect as compared to hot stamping due to the fact the UV lamp must be used and this does not allow as much detail to come through. The benefits are printing form set up costs and higher application speeds and drawbacks are the higher prices for such foils. There are a number of options for stamping foils, in particular those that are silver, but stamping can use any colour to create very interesting graphic effects.
Relief stamping
Relief stamping, also known as embossing, is created using two printing forms (a negative and a positive) to cause the plastic deformation of a material in order to create a good complement to hot and cold stamping as well as to screen printing. The most impressive effects can be achieved for structured wine materials, and it is here that this technology is most often applied.
