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Metallic or pigmented foils are applied on a letterpress using heat and a die.

A few tips when specifying foils:

• Most foils are opaque and will cover dark colors.
• There are a wide variety of foils: metallic (gloss, dull and machined), pigmented (gloss, dull or matte), pearlized, clear (gloss and full), patterns, and more.
• Metallic foils make a crisper impression than pigmented foils.
• An image can be foiled and embossed at the same time with a combination die, providing the embossing angles are not too steep and the entire image is foil stamped.
• Foil stamping does not work well over varnishes.
• Foiled elements that are too close may bleed together.
• Smooth or coated stocks work best with foil.
• The pressure and temperature of foil stamping can discolor some paper colors, especially browns, oranges and yellows.
• Test press proofs are recommended on large or complicated projects.
• Line (vector) art is required to make dies, preferably in Adobe Illustrator format.
• Avoid small or tightly-letterspaced type.
• Keep elements away from the edge of the sheet.
• As a general rule, the space between the lines in a design should be no less than half the thickness of the stock.
• Foil is not recommended on sheets that will go through a laser printer.
• Because foils are opaque, litho inks are normally printed first and foil applied afterwards.
• Applying foil to a varnished surface can be a problem.
• When combined with other processes, foil stamping is usually done last.