At IPW1, we’re often asked advice regarding print methods and design options. With so many different types of printing available, we understand how tricky it can be to decide what method of printing is right for your project.

With this in mind, we’ve made it easy to access all the information you need. Whether you’re designing business cards, planning your corporate letterheads or putting window displays together, we can give you the lowdown on print methods, substrates, finishes and installations.

As well as featuring a whole host of information on our website, we’re always happy to help with any queries you may have. To speak to a member of the team about your next project, simply give us a call on 020 7437 3200 or email us at hello@ipw1.co.uk

One question we’re often asked is, what is hot foiling? As one of the most popular ways to enhance your prints, hot foiling is a hit with a wide range of our clients. Read on to learn more about this innovative method of printing and what it can do for your business…

Hot foiling involves pressing a super-thin sheet of metal on to a specially prepared surface. To ensure the two materials are permanently melded together, heat is used to punch the metal on to the substrate, hence the name ‘hot foiling’.

Even if you’re unfamiliar the term, chances are you’ll have seen hot foiling. The shiny lettering on luxury product packaging, the standout company lettering on a business card or the attention-grabbing typography on a menu are all prime opportunities for hot foiling.

While the process of hot foiling sounds deceptively simple, the effect is staggering. Once applied to a substrate, foil creates a unique impact and truly catches the eye.

Hot foiling has become one of the most popular print enhancements for a number of reasons. Used since the 17th century or earlier, raw gold leaf was once used to enhance manuscripts and books. Although the benefits of this early form of hot foiling were widely known, technological advancements have ensured this method of printing has evolved significantly.

Now, hot foiling is known for its wide range of benefits, including:

Metallic colours have always been popular when it comes to hot foiling. The shiny appeal of golds, silvers, coppers and bronzes makes them perfect accent colours. What’s more – they naturally standout, which means they’re effective in terms of maximising the impact of your prints.

While metallic colours are still a great option for hot foiling, there are plenty of other options available. Both matt and glossy finishes can be applied using the latest hot foiling methods, while foil colours run the gamut. From bright, bold primary colours to pastel shades and even special effects, hot foiling offers an almost endless array of finishes.

No matter what you’re printing, you want it to be seen. Typically, you’ll be vying for your target’s attention, so it’s essential your materials stand out from the crowd. Hot foiling enables you to do just that. Adding a sense of depth to the substrate and your design, foil changes the feel and appearance of the end product. As well as creating a print that’s bold and eye-catching, hot foiling maximises the impact of your handheld prints, such as menus and business cards, by enhancing the tangible characteristics of the product.

As well as being available in a range of colours, shades and hues, hot foiling can be used on a wide range of substrates. If you’re printing on to paper or card, for example, there are very few limitations when it comes to adding foils to your project. With many brands looking for custom substrates and unique print bases, the versatility of hot foiling ensures you can maximise the impact of the end product while still retaining an extensive selection of substrates.

Cost is a factor for any business and your print projects need to be cost-effective in order to be actionable. Fortunately, hot foiling is a great way to enhance your prints without exceeding your budget. As always, we work tirelessly to offer our clients premium prints at cost-effective prices. Using the latest technology to reduce lead times and increase productivity, we offer top quality hot foiling that won’t eat into your budget.

The addition of hot foiling is associated with luxury and, as such, it’s ideal for adding decadence to a product or print. When you want to convey the luxuriousness of a brand or the opulence of an event, for example, choosing hot foiling for your invites or product packaging will achieve your objective with ease.

Although hot foiling looks stunning when used in isolation, you can enhance its impact by combining it with additional finishes. When used in conjunction with embossing or debossing, for example, the area is raised or imprinted, in addition to being enhanced with hot foil. This increases the tangible properties of the finish, as well as making it stand out even more.

If you’re looking for ways to really maximise the impact of handheld prints, combining hot foiling with embossing or debossing is a great option.

In addition to this, hot foiling can be used alongside lamination to add a glossy overlay to the end product. With pinpoint accuracy, you can choose to laminate certain aspects of the print or opt for full lamination to cover the entire surface of the substrate.

To learn more about using hot foiling to enhance your prints, get in touch with the team today. Whether you’ve got a design in mind or you’re just putting some ideas together, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. Call IPW1 now on 020 7437 3200 or email us at hello@ipw1.co.uk