Foil stamping — metallic and holographic foil on printed packaging
Foil stamping: metallic leaf pressed into the box.
A heated die presses metallic or pigmented foil onto the board, leaving a mirror-bright mark that no ink can match. Gold, silver, copper, rose gold, black and holographic, on cartons, rigid box wraps and sleeves.
- Foils
- Gold · silver · copper · holographic
- Applied to
- Cartons · wraps · sleeves
- Effect
- Metallic brand mark
What foil stamping is
Heat, pressure and a metal die.
Foil stamping — hot foil — uses a heated metal die to press a thin layer of foil onto the board. Where the die touches, the foil bonds; everywhere else it lifts away. The result is a metallic surface with a mirror finish that printed metallic inks cannot reproduce, and a slight impression in the board that the hand can feel.
It is the finish most brands reach for on a logo, a product name or a border, and it reads strongest against a matte or soft-touch background — gold on soft-touch black is the gifting and candle standard. Because the die is a physical tool, fine detail is possible but hairline type is not; artwork is prepared as a solid vector shape.
- Metallic foilsGold · silver · copper · rose
- Pigment foilsBlack · white · colors
- HolographicRainbow · patterned
Materials & finishing
Foils and what they read on.
Choose the foil for the background: warm metallics on dark and kraft, silver and holographic on white and color, pigment foils where a flat matte mark is wanted.
Materials & finishes- Gold & rose goldMetallicOn black, navy, kraft and cream.
- SilverMetallicOn white, gray and cool colors.
- HolographicRainbowColor cosmetics and seasonal.
- Pigment foilMatte colorA flat, opaque mark without metallic sheen.
Combinations
- Foil on matte lamination
- Foil on soft-touch
- Foil on kraft
- Foil on textured wrap
- Foil + emboss (combination die)
- Foil border and pattern
Where foil is used
The mark, the name, the border.
Logos
The single most common foil application.
Product names
Scent, shade and edition names.
Borders and patterns
Frames and repeat patterns on lids.
Jewelry boxes
Foil on leatherette and linen wraps.
Seasonal editions
Gold and copper for holiday runs.
Kraft packaging
Gold or black foil on natural board.
Start a quote
Three answers is all it takes to open a job.
Structure, board and finishing come next — with our team, on the full quote form.
No account needed. Artwork and reference images can be attached on the next step.
Foil stamping questions
Before you ask.
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhat is the difference between foil stamping and metallic ink?
Foil is a real metallic film pressed onto the board and has a mirror finish; metallic ink is a printed pigment and looks flatter. For a logo that has to shine, foil.
Can foil go on a laminated box?
Yes. Foil is applied over lamination and reads especially well on matte and soft-touch films.
Can foil be combined with embossing?
Yes. A combination die foils and embosses in one pass, giving a raised metallic mark.
How fine can foil detail be?
Fine, but not hairline. Artwork is supplied as solid vector shapes; we advise on minimum line weights for the chosen foil and stock.
Does foil add much to the cost?
Foil requires a die and a pass on the press; cost depends on the foiled area and quantity and is set out in your quote.
Resources
Guides on finishes
Packaging finishes explained: lamination, foil, emboss, spot UV and windows
What each finish does, what it looks like, what it combines with and when to specify it. The short reference for anyone briefing a custom box.
Read the guidePreparing artwork for custom printed boxes
Dielines, bleed, color, resolution and finish layers. What print-ready packaging artwork looks like and how to get there from a logo.
Read the guide
Related packaging
Packaging that is foil stamped.
Start here
Send us your dimensions. We’ll send back a box.
Or talk to a packaging specialist: (209) 444-0744