1. Stamping Process
Foil (Commonly Hot Stamping Foil)：Typically, it refers to hot stamping foil. During the hot stamping process, high temperature (usually 100 - 180℃) and pressure are required. The hot - melt adhesive layer on the foil material is heated and melted, enabling the transfer of the pattern or decorative layer on the foil to the surface of the substrate. For example, in traditional book cover gilding and logo stamping on gift boxes, the hot stamping foil transfers the pattern onto materials like paper through a heated stamping plate.
Cold Foil：The stamping process of cold foil does not require high temperature. It relies on UV (ultraviolet) curing technology. First, a special UV adhesive is printed on the surface of the substrate. Then, the cold foil is laminated with the substrate coated with the adhesive. After being irradiated by a UV lamp, the adhesive cures rapidly, thus achieving the transfer of the cold foil pattern to the substrate. This process has obvious advantages when stamping on temperature - sensitive materials such as some plastic films and heat - sensitive papers, as it can avoid damage to the materials caused by high temperature.
2. Application Scenarios
Foil (Commonly Hot Stamping Foil)：It is widely used in fields with high requirements for heat resistance and strong decorative effects. On high - end liquor packaging, hot stamping foil can present gorgeous gold or silver patterns, enhancing the product's grade. In the printing of greeting cards and invitations, the patterns of hot stamping foil are clear and have high gloss, adding a festive atmosphere and a sense of ceremony.
Cold Foil：It performs outstandingly in scenarios with high requirements for environmental protection and wide material adaptability. In the food packaging field, cold foil can be used on packaging materials that directly contact food. Since it does not go through high - temperature treatment, there is no migration of harmful substances. In the decoration of electronic product casings, cold foil can achieve fine pattern stamping on various materials such as plastics and metals, meeting the diverse and personalized needs of the appearance of electronic products.
3. Product Characteristics
Foil (Commonly Hot Stamping Foil)：Due to hot stamping, the pattern has strong adhesion. Under normal use and storage conditions, it is not easy to peel off or fade. Hot stamping foil has a high gloss, especially metal - textured foils, which can present a dazzling metallic luster. However, when stamping fine patterns or complex shapes, the edges of the pattern may be slightly deformed due to high temperature.
Cold Foil：Cold foil can achieve very fine pattern transfer, clearly presenting fine elements such as lines and dots. It is especially suitable for making anti - counterfeiting labels, increasing the difficulty of counterfeiting through high - precision pattern design. Cold foil has better adhesion on some flexible materials because it does not require high temperature and pressure, and can better adapt to the flexibility of the materials. However, in some cases, the adhesion of cold foil may be slightly inferior to that of hot stamping foil, and it is necessary to optimize the UV adhesive formula and process to improve it.
