Foiling & Embossing
- Foil and embossing artwork must be at least 4 pt or larger for 0.2 or thicker for lines. Gaps between foiling elements – 0.2 mm or more. Gaps between embossed elements – double thickness of cardstock (we recommend 1.0 mm and more). Smaller graphic elements may fill-in when stamped and embossed.
Recommended line thickness is 0.5-1.0 mm and more. Using designs that fall out of these requirements is not recommended.
- Bottom flap embossing should not be
- Sufficient spacing between embossed elements and edges of tuckbox is required (bending areas). Otherwise cardstock of tuck may
- Files for embossing and/or foiling MUST be made in vector format (Adobe Illustrator). Rasterized images cannot be used (Adobe Photoshop). Unusable files will be returned for
- Embossing and/or foiling data should be on separate layers in the same file as original This will assure that the embossing and/or foil will line up and the sizing is correct. Foiling layer name should contain foil color information (e.g. “FOIL-silver”). Embossing pattern layer should be named “EMBOSSING”.
- Each stock may emboss di Uncoated stocks accept embossing better than coated stocks.
- Paper stocks have a finite ability to be stretched when In general paper stock will not stretch more than its thickness before breaking.
- Embossing depth is limited by the size of the font or image being The wider image, the deeper the embossing can be.
- Small letters, images and thin lines do not show up very well (or at all) when The wider the image the more detail can be achieved.
- Use as big and bold images as possible for better embossing Many small image details and thin lines can’t be pulled out of the stock surface.
- Large embossing elements together with small detailareas should be Doing this will cause large elements to crack (over embossing) or small elements to be almost not noticeable.
- Foil Stamping Guidelines
- Coated or smooth surface stocks will stamp cleaner and with better detail than uncoated or rough textured
- Avoid stamping on top of metallic
- Large solid areas of foil mixed with small fine detail areas should be These types of designs will tend to have more fill-in.
- Every stock, foil color, and image stamp di Pigment foils will also hold less detail and be less durable than a metallic foll.
- Avoid small bold type fonts when foil The middle of lower-case letters may fill-in.
- Any lines thinner than 2 mm should be avoided when foil stamping. Thinner lines can be stamped, with no guarantee.