Hot foil stamping: Bobst touts sustainability credentials and differentiation

11 Sep 2019 --- Swiss-based packaging company Bobst is leading the foil stamping space with the only size VI die-cutter hot foil stamping machine on the market. Hot foil stamping is the process of applying metallic foil or holograms to materials such as light papers, carton board, laminated board, plastics and corrugated board. Called Expertfoil 142, Bobst’s new machine allows the size VI format, which was previously unavailable in the market.

Packaging is a key differentiator for products on the shelf, and special finishing techniques – such hot foil stamping and thermal embossing – can elevate a product. The techniques also can provide consumers with a visual shortcut to the quality of what is within.

Hot foil stamping is used across a wide range of industry sectors, but most notably in food and drink (particularly in confectionery, wine and liquor bottles, and other premium foods), cosmetics, electronics, banknotes, business cards, greeting cards and artwork.

Aside from the large-format tasks, Bobst has also developed an entire range of hot foil stamping solutions that cover the complete range of production needs, from straightforward block foiling, through hologram application with pinpoint accuracy, to the creation of highly complex foil effects.

Bobst has developed an entire range of hot foil stamping solutions that cover the complete range of production needs.“Bobst has over fifty years’ experience in the hot foil stamping market,” notes Jacques Reymond, Head of Product Marketing Business Unit Sheet-fed at Bobst. “We are well known for providing equipment that is long-lasting and made for high productivity, precision and quality.”

“Expertfoil 142 is a machine that gives customers a bigger margin to make a margin,” says Reymond. “Getting extra products onto a sheet can dramatically change the profitability of the process, especially when margins are tight.”

“In a world where we have very mature markets with limited opportunity for major growth, there is no question that products need to differentiate themselves somehow,” says Reymond. “Hot foil stamping helps to reinforce the value of the product and is often associated with premium offerings. Ultimately, the box is a marketing instrument.” 

The term can encompass simple flat foil stamping; deep embossing or embossing combined with foil stamping; hologram and holographic foil application; and foil stamping combined with micro and structural embossing. Traditionally, gold or silver are the most common colors used for foiling, but a wide range of colored foils are available.

Sustainability stamp
Sustainability is now a priority for brand owners and is in itself a means of differentiation, the company notes. There are false preconceptions that packaging with foil is not recyclable and therefore not sustainable. A study by the Foil & Specialty Effects Association on the recyclability and re-pulpability of foil-decorated stock and board validated the recyclability of paper products decorated by the traditional hot stamp foil processes.

In addition, the study found that neither hot nor cold foil-decorated products would give rise to problems that may render the decorated paper products unsuitable for recycling.

Further growth
Bobst machines are associated with several key differentiators, including very precise registration at high speeds, low foil consumption and fast job change-over time. 

“These machines have seen some remarkable advances in recent years,” says Reymond. “For example, normally, hot foil stamping requires several passes through the machine – the printing, then the enhancement, then the cutting.”

“Our machines are famous for their reliability, but we also have a wide-ranging service support and know-how, and we can offer training and support on hot foil machines as needed,” he adds.

While hot foil stamping isn’t the only form of differentiation for packaging – cold foil, varnishes and metal inks are just three examples of other great visual embellishments – it is a steadily growing sector, the company concludes. 

Edited by Kristiana Lalou