Hot Stamping Foil for High-Volume Coding & Branding [Get Quote]

The hot stamping foil process is a dry printing method that uses heat, pressure, and a pre-made die to transfer a decorative layer from a carrier film onto a substrate. The process begins with the creation of a metal die, which is engraved with the desired design and mounted onto a heated platen on a hot stamping press. A roll of foil is fed between the die and the substrate. When the press cycles, the heated die presses the foil onto the substrate for a precisely controlled duration (dwell time). The heat and pressure activate the foil's release layer and adhesive, causing the decorative layer (metallic, pigment, etc.) to separate from the polyester carrier film and bond permanently to the substrate. The carrier film is then wound up, leaving behind the crisp, transferred image. Key variables that must be optimized for each job include die temperature, stamping pressure, and dwell time, all of which are interdependent and vary based on the foil type, die material, and substrate composition. The process is renowned for its ability to produce durable, high-gloss, and tactile finishes that are difficult to replicate with other methods. It is widely used for branding on plastic components, enhancing packaging, personalizing gifts, and applying security features to documents. For technical assistance in optimizing the hot stamping process for your specific application or to troubleshoot issues like poor release or die fouling, we encourage you to contact our technical service team for expert guidance.