Foil Printing – Cold Foil vs Hot Foil Printing

FOIL PRINTING

Foil has long been the standard to express the best in high quality printing.PR_FoilWorx_03
There are 2 ways to print using foil.

COLD FOIL PRINTING

Cold foil printing is a 21st century hi-tech WOW FACTOR EFFECT marketing tool that makes printing gold, silver and every combination of CMYK foil colors easy to create. You can even make color blends and gradations. The way it works is that on a selected area you want to foil an adhesive is printed on the card A foil laminate is then sealed on top of the glue using UV light to cure and dry it. This process is done on a offset printing press so you don’t need expensive custom made dies and traditional hot foil stamping. This revolutionary eye candy printing technique cost less and attracts as much attention as the old way. At this time we can only print cold foil on standard 2 X 3.5 business cards and 4 X 6 postcards. This is a designer’s and marketer’s dream because it’s not only possible, it’s also affordable for the average small business.
PROS:
Cold foil does not require a custom metal die.
Silver, Copper or Gold Foil printing as well as Akua Foil is printed in-line with the printing press.
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It only requires a simple mask to indicate the foil area.
Registration is very accurate.
You can combine as many process colors as you want using Akua Foil.
You can make blends and gradations using AkuaFoil.
You can add high gloss Spot UV coating as an option.
The process is fast.
The process is more affordable than traditional hot foil stamping.
Quick online quotes are available. Check out our cheap and affordable prices at https://www.colorprintingpros.com/foilbusinesscards.html
CONS:
Cold foil is not as bright as hot foil.
Colors are not as deep.
Dark colors are not recommended.

HOT FOIL STAMPING

Hot foil stamping, also know as foil blocking, became practical in the 1950’s when new formulas for colored foils became possible and they did not fade. The way it works is a custom metal die (usually a magnesium die) is made of the area you want foiled. A foil stamping machine is then used to heat the die and pressure is applied to a roll of foil onto the substrate you want stamped. If printing is needed for the project, it is printed on an offset printing press first and then transferred to a stamping machine.
PROS:
Foils are brighter and richer.
Holographic, Lenticular and Psychedelic colored foils are available.
You can use darker colors.
You can emboss or deboss foils.
You can emboss or deboss the substrate without foil.
You can make custom sizes with stamping.
You can use die cutting as an effect.
CONS:
Tight registration can be a problem.
Dies are expensive.
Stamping dies are usually outsourced. The more steps and people in a job, the greater chance of problems. Who is responsible when there is a problem may occur.
Different foils have different cost.
Size of the custom die affects cost.
It is more expensive than Cold foil.
Custom quotes required.
Color Printing Pros provides both cold foil and hot stamping services. If needed, our customer service experts are always available for free consultation to help you decide the method and practices needed to meet or exceed your expectations.

BUSINESS CARDS – HOW TO MAKE A HARD IMPACT WITH YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION

Despite the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” the fact is that business card will create the first impression that you make. Research has shown that people make a judgment about others in just a few seconds of meeting them. This isn’t much time, so you need to make the most of the small attention window you have.As a business owner, your appearance and business card plays a major role in the first impression you make. When you smile at someone, shake their hand, and then hand them your business card, the judgment they make about you is going to be affected by the business card you hand them. If the business card you put in their hand has a great look and feel, you’re going to make a positive first impression. PR_Silk-02

However, if your card feels cheap and looks tacky, you’re probably not going to be viewed as a professional.So, the big question is how do you avoid looking like your not ready for prime time, and instead impress the person you meet and cause their interest in your business to be piqued? You need a business card that is well thought-out, designed with a powerful visual. A black and white business card isn’t going to grab anyone’s attention, a full color business card will. With a full color business card, you can convey your strength to every person who looks at your card. A strong visual will get you card noticed and remembered.You only have a little space to send a big message so it’s important to put thought into what you want your card to say. The best business cards are able to say what’s important without cramming too much in one space. Your logo and essentials should be easily read on the front and you can use the back for a call to action or other important information. Keep it meaningful, short and to the point.

Because people touch business cards in addition to seeing them, it’s important that they are printed on high quality stock and have unique distinguished visual effect. Depending on your business, good stock choices for business cards are heavy 14 or extra heavy 16 point card, 20 point plastic, 16 point silk laminated or Endurace waterproof card stock. All of these stocks are durable and feel great when they are held. When it comes to finishes, one choice that will set you apart is spot UV coating. This is like a standard gloss UV coating finish, except that instead of covering your entire card, it works as a WOW FACTOR effect by highlighting the area of your business card that you want to standout. Other eye candy WOW FACTOR effects such as lenticular cards, colored foils, gold,silver or copper foil on silk laminated cards or 20 Pt plastic card available in clear, frosted or white.

While you may agree that this type of business card sounds great, you may be concerned that it’s going to cost a fortune. In reality, this isn’t the case. When you order business cards online from one the the few online printing company’s that offer these custom services for gang run prices you can cheaply get full color business cards that are printed on quality stock and feature a special custom finish.

By  putting real thought into its design, you will be able to create a great business card that ensures the people you hand it to will always remember who  you are.

AFFORDABLE FOIL POSTCARDS

Foil postcards are great for holidays as well as to highlight business. Postcards are among the least expensive form of direct mail marketing and they are easy to create. According to DMA 2010 Statistical Fact Book, 79% of households tend to read or scan the postcards sent to their homes resulting is high rate of response. Foil postcards can bring extra shine and flair to your businesses by attracting attention like a mini billboard. You can choose from silver, gold and copper foil postcards printed on 16 Pt. silk laminated card stock or 20.mil. plastic. Akuafoil postcards make every cmyk color into foil and are printed on 16 Pt. standard coated card stock. These foil postcards have the ability to standout and get noticed and are available with glossy UV or spot UV coating.

Gold, Silver and Copper Postcards           

PR_FoilWorx_02 Postcards can be printed in numerous ways and they come in different sizes. In order to get higher ROI, it is imperative that your postcards stand out when compared to your competitors. It’s understandable that the content of your postcard is very important, but what is more important is its design. People will only read the content of your card, if they find the design attractive and what better way to make the design eye-catching then by adding gold, silver or copper foil to it. The quality of your postcard depicts the image of your company therefore all your postcards should be printed on high quality cardstock.

On 16pt. silk cards you can add foil to one side or both sides of the card, but remember you can have only one type of foil on one card. For example, if you have opted for silver foil then your postcard can have only the silver foil on one side or all sides. It is not possible to have silver foil on one side and gold foil on the other. In-case you are looking for multi-color foil you should opt for Akuafoil postcards.

Akuafoil Postcards PR_Akuafoil_02

For people who want to add more foil colors that can be blended and gradated together, Akuafoil postcards offers them the chance to create multi-colored foiled postcards. You can now add the wide range of CMYK colors to create a multi-color foil that appeals to your aesthetic sense. Akuafoil is very simple, effective and affordable. It produces the same foil finish using a cold foil printing process that does not require expensive custom made metal dies and hot foil stamping. Since the inks are transparent, a layer of silver foil is applied under the colors that appear foil in Akuafoil printing process. The ink and foil align in order to create striking color foil effects. You can specify the exact area that will have the colored foil with a black mask that indicates where the foil is to be placed. To have effective results, you should choose a light CMYK color because Akuafoil look best with light colors. The darker your CMYK color is the less metallic your Akuafoil will look.

You can utilize the wide range of CMYK colors and turn them into multi-colored foils, thus creating unique and out of the box postcards. You can be as creative as you want to be, the design of your postcards is only limited by your imagination. So, think of ideas that are unique and attractive, get them printed and you will be amazed by the impact these distinctive postcards will have on your ROI.

With that said, printed postcards are a popular marketing promotion that people are use to seeing ln their mailbox. When it takes less then a second to toss it or read it you need to get attention immediately foil cards are the eye candy that separates yours against you competitors. So stand out and be noticed. And the best part is they are very affordable.

Creating an Akua Foil File

With Akuafoil, you can turn a wide range of CMYK colors, into multi-colored foils. Akua Foil uses a special processed foil system that is applied under our 4 color process to create an array of foil colors. It’s simple, affordable, and makes your piece stand out from the crowd. xx Akua Foil has raised the bar for traditional color printing by increasing the possibilities for your business to stand out from your competitors. Radiance never seen before and dazzle you can afford! With Akuafoil Foil, You can produce foiled half tones, gradients and have multiple colors in foil on the same design. The design possibilities are limited only by your imagination, giving your customers an exquisite edge. With our unique colored foil, you can turn a wide range of CMYK colors, into multi-colored foils. This new unique first class printing effect is guaranteed to make your business cards and postcard promotion stand out and get noticed at a price that will give you true competitive advantage. HOW TO CREATE An AKUA FOIL FILE For an Akua Foil job, you must include a foil mask file along with your CMYK file. The mask file indicates where the foil will be placed. The file process is the same as spot UV..100% K where foil is placed, 0% where the foil is not placed.As shown below, the file on the left is the normal CMYK print file. If you want the logo to be foiled, then your Akua foil mask file should look like the file on the right. The White indicates no foil and 100% K indicates where the foil will be. xx If you would like only silver foil to print, make sure to have at least 15% K in that white area. A White Color in a CMYK file that is 100% K in your Akua foil mask will appear as plain silver foil. However, for a higher quality plain silver foil, we recommend to have at least 15% K in that white area. We print full color Akuafoil products on 16 Point card stock or 100 LB gloss book. Our foil products highlight a high/low contrast between foiled and un-foiled areas. Full color foil products are simple to create, affordable, and make your card or sheet stand out and get noticed.

Holiday Greetings With Foil Wakes up the Senses

The holiday season is just around the corner. Personal custom printed foil greeting cards or postcards in full color are the latest trend for saying happy holiday to your personal and business friends. Holiday Greetings using cards or postcards are an affordable way to send the message that everyone loves receiving. Creating a full color AkuaFoil card is easy and they are so captivating they will always be remembered and so will you and/or your business.

The big greeting card companies have been printing foil on their cards for years and selling them at premium prices. Now you can print your own personal card with your colorful foiled image and messages for a lot less money. Whether it is a inexpensive foil postcard wishing everyone holiday cheer and a merry new year or a intricate foil greeting card that wakes up the senses, sending holiday messages are always greeted with joy. Even businesses know the value of thanking customers for their loyalty at this season and wishing them a happy and prosperous new year. Whether personal or business creating a card with colored foil will make your card stand out from the rest.

Creating a Akuafoil cards is easy. Choose the images you want in colored foil. With Full Color Foil, you can turn a wide range of CMYK colors, into multi-colored foils. The advantage to this process is that you can produce foiled half tones, gradients and have multiple colors in foil on the same design. The design possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

HOW TO CREATE AN AKUAFOIL HOLIDAY CARD

For any Full Color Foil job (Akuafoil), you must include a foil mask file along with your CMYK file. The mask file indicates where the foil will be placed. The file process is the same as spot UV..100% K where foil is placed, 0% where the foil is not placed. If you want something to be foiled, then your mask file should show that. White indicates no foil and 100% K indicates where the foil will be.

Foil Wakes up the Senses

Foil Wakes up the Senses