HotStamping Basics :
  

What Is It :
  
Hot Stamping is an industrial marking process best known for the shiny metallic gold or silver print it commonly produces.  The process is also known as foil stamping, hot foil stamping, gold stamping, gold blocking, foiling, and gold leaf. 

Most people know hot stamping as the hologram on your credit card, the metallic gold printing found on cosmetics packaging, or in the example below, the gold printing seen on the poker chips. 

   

How it Works :
  
Hot stamping works by pressing a heated metal die against a colored foil and the product to be printed.  Where the raised surface of the die touches the foil and product being stamped, the foil graphic is permanently transferred to product.

 
What Can Be Hot Stamped ? :

  • Papers

  • Leather & Vinyl

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  • Plastics of most kinds

  • Textiles like satin ribbon, polyester and nylon

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What Can't Be Hot Stamped ? :

  • Metal

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  • Glass

  • Rubber

    •

  • Ceramic

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  • Irregular surfaces

  
Supplies :
  
The process of hot stamping employs 2 consumable supplies: foil & dies .

 
Suppliers :
  
You'll find a list of industry suppliers here :  Suppliers

  
How Much ?

Hot Stamping is extremely economical : Foil costs at around 5 square inches for 1 cent.

  
Principal Benefits of Hot Stamping :

  • Durability

  • Cost effective

  • High value-added

  • No chemicals or disposal issues

  • Aesthetic appeal of metallic printing

  
Principal Drawbacks of Hot Stamping :

  • Generally limited to stamping on flat surfaces

  • A moderate learning curve ~ experience begets improvement

Malahide Design & Manufacturing Inc : Hot Stamping Presses & Foil Stamping Equipment