Make a Good Impression

Uneven heating in any kind of foil stamping and embossing often results in "dirty" foiling, and potentially a rejected job. "The heat requirements of the foil need to be controlled to ensure accurate and clean foil release without excessive heat," Raney said.

One way to ensure that the heat is even across all zones is by using a surface pyrometer, recommends McElree. A surface pyrometer determines the actual temperature on the surface of the stamping die and compares it with the temperature readings on the machine dials. "It lets you double check the gauges, because they can be off by as much as 10-15°F," McElree said.