Finish
Foil Stamping
Hot-foil metallic or pigmented foil applied in-house. Gold, silver, copper, holographic, matte, and custom pigment colors — for logos, accents, and the high-touch details that make packaging feel premium.
Process
Hot-foil stamping (heat + pressure + die)
Standard foils
Gold, silver, copper, rose gold, holographic
Pigment foils
30+ colors in stock
Substrate
All art paper, kraft, coated, board
Min line
0.4mm
Best for
Logos, accents, monograms, borders
Setup
Custom magnesium or brass die
MOQ
50 units
Overview
What it is.
Foil stamping — also called hot-foil stamping or foil printing — is the process of applying a metallic or pigmented foil to a paper or board substrate using heat, pressure, and a metal die. The foil is carried on a polyester release film; the die is heated to around 100°C; the heat activates an adhesive layer on the foil, which bonds to the substrate under the pressure of the die. The result is a sharp, opaque, reflective finish that cannot be replicated by ink.\n\nWe run foil stamping in-house on every format we make, from small rigid box logos to large-format folding carton coverage. We stock gold, silver, copper, rose gold, holographic, matte gold, and a library of 30+ pigment colors, and we can source custom foil colors on request for orders above 5,000 units.
When to use foil stamping
Foil stamping is the right finish when the design needs a metallic accent that ink cannot replicate — gold logos on dark substrates, silver monograms on matte cartons, holographic seals on limited-edition launches, copper foils on craft beer packaging. It pairs especially well with soft-touch lamination: the matte film reduces reflectivity on the rest of the box, which makes the foil pop more.
Avoid foil stamping for large coverage areas (the die cost and stamping time make it uneconomical above ~30% of a panel), for fine details below 0.4mm line weight (the foil will not adhere reliably), and for substrates with rough or highly textured surfaces.
Die cost and lead time
A custom foil-stamping die is $80–250 depending on size and complexity. Magnesium dies are the standard for short runs and are produced in 2–3 business days. Brass dies are more durable and are recommended for runs above 5,000 units or for designs with very fine detail; they are produced in 5–7 business days.
Foil stamping is run as a separate pass after the main print job. It adds 1–3 business days to the production schedule, depending on the number of stamping positions and the complexity of the die. We do not charge extra for stamping setup on orders above 1,000 units.
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Frequently asked
Questions about foil stamping.
What is the difference between hot foil and cold foil?
Hot foil uses heat and pressure with a metal die. Cold foil uses a UV-curable adhesive and a foil laminate, applied inline on a press. We run hot foil in-house; cold foil is sourced through partners for high-volume orders.
Can you do multiple foil colors on one box?
Yes — each color requires a separate die and a separate stamping pass. Two-color foil stamping is common; three or more colors is possible but adds lead time.
Is foil stamping food-safe?
Yes — the foil layer is sealed between the adhesive and the substrate. There is no direct food contact with the foil.
What is the most popular foil color?
Gold foil on natural kraft or on dark blue is the perennial bestseller. Silver foil on white or black is second. Holographic is third, driven by limited-edition launches.
Can foil be applied to curved or textured surfaces?
Hot foil requires a flat surface for the die to make full contact. For curved or textured surfaces, we suggest cold foil or a label application.
How durable is foil stamping?
Hot foil is exceptionally durable — it does not scratch, fade, or rub off under normal handling. It will survive shipping, retail handling, and consumer use without degradation.
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