Foil Decoration

Another desirable feature that hot foil stamping offers is the use of embossed stamping. This can provide "distinctive touch packaging designs with visually striking relief or embossed stamping through the use of CNC engraved dies," says McElree.

In addition to reducing costs for cylinders, hot stamping system suppliers are also addressing the speed limitations that, for the most part, have relegated hot stamping to an off-line process. "Modern hot stamping machines, using either platen or round cylinder technology, are now capable of delivering between 7,500 to 12,000 stampings per hour, depending on the type of machine used," says McElree. "This compares to under 5,000 stampings per hour just a few short years ago, therefore greatly reducing the cost of hot stamping due to the higher processing speeds."