HOT STAMPING, BETWEEN CRAFT AND ART

What is hot stamping?

Hot stamping, or hot foil stamping, is a very specific traditional printing technique. It involves the application of a metallized or colored film – also known as foil – which is pressed onto a paper substrate. It creates impressive visual effects and unrivalled contrasts, particularly on creative papers.

How is hot foil stamping carried out?

1 – Marking tool

It all starts with a marking tool, an engraved metal plate, usually made of aluminum, magnesium or brass. This plate contains the motifs, logos or graphic details you wish to transfer to the paper substrate. Most of the time, this marking tool is produced using a chemical etching method. At Atelier Bulk, however, we engrave our own marking tools using a 3-axis engraving machine. Our engraved aluminum plates are the key to creating precise details on your printed media. Thanks to our in-house engraving tools, we can react quickly and control the quality of the finish on your creations.

2 – Marking film

Next, we place a very thin marking film – also known as foil – on the substrate to be printed. These films are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes and materials. They can be metallic, matte, glossy, holographic, transparent, opaque and more. Some can even have special patterns or textures. Atelier Bulk works mainly with marking films from Foilco and Kurz.

3 – Heat and Pressure

We heat and press the marking tool against the foil, which itself sticks to the paper base. The heat and pressure applied allow the foil to detach from its base and adhere to the substrate. Once the tool has been removed, the foil remains stuck to the paper base, revealing the patterns or details of the marking plate.

This technique produces brilliant, long-lasting metallic prints. It offers luxurious visual effects and fine details on a wide range of substrates. We sublimate paper, cardboard, even leather and canvas. The latter are used in particular forpublishing or upholstered objects, such as menu holders in the restaurant trade.

Hot foil stamping is widely used in the luxury, fashion, publishing and communications industries. It adds a sophisticated, high-end dimension to printed objects.

Galbe hot stamping

At Atelier Bulk, we have mastered the art of curved hot stamping. This technique combines hot foil stamping with embossing. During printing, we press the film against the paper substrate using a curved stamping tool. A counterpart hugs the shape of the tool to give this volume effect. Using heat and the right pressure to transfer the foil, we create a relief, hollow or raised shape.

This technique delivers exceptional visual and tactile results. It creates elegant relief effects on gold patterns, adding extra dimension and depth to prints. Graphic details stand out even more thanks to this interplay of relief and gloss.

Curved hot stamping often highlights elements such as logos, titles, borders or artistic details. It is frequently used for luxury stationery, invitations, packaging and high-quality marketing materials.

In short, curved hot foil stamping is an advanced, highly aesthetic method of brilliantly combining hot foil stamping with embossing, resulting in visually captivating, tactile prints.

Hot stamping with micro-structure

Micro-structure hot stamping is a highly sophisticated hot foil stamping technique involving the creation of extremely small, detailed, almost microscopic patterns on the stamping tool used during the process.

These meticulous patterns create diffraction effects when light strikes them. The minute details react to light in different ways. They produce plays of light, reflections and optical effects that add brilliance and a new dimension to the printed object.

The end result is a print that appears almost animated, with subtle visual variations as the viewing angle changes. These prints capture attention by offering a sophisticated visual aspect and adding an almost kinetic dimension to the printed patterns.

This technique enables a high degree of personalization. Micro-structured patterns are tailor-made to meet specific customer needs, offering unique and highly differentiating prints.

Hot stamping with micro-structure is often used in the fashion, luxury and high-end publishing industries, as well as for applications where subtle details and refined aesthetics are essential.

Hot stamping with Micro-texture

Hot stamping with microtexture is a refined technique that combines hot stamping with microembossing effects. Meticulous patterns are created in volume in the stamping tool to create subtle, delicate textures on the printed substrate.

Micro-embossed patterns add another dimension to the print, creating a sensation of relief to the touch.

This method can be adapted to create a variety of customized textures and grains. It makes it possible to design unique prints by adjusting the microembossed patterns to the customer’s specific needs.

Hot foil stamping with microtexture is often used in areas where refined aesthetics and subtle details are essential, as this technique skilfully combines hot foil stamping with microembossing effects, resulting in prints that catch the eye with their visual detail and subtle tactile feel.

Edge Gilding

Edge gilding, also known as edge hot stamping, is a technique that involves applying a foil stamping to the edges or slices of a printed substrate, usually paper or cardboard, offering a distinctive and elegant touch to the entire item.

Edge gilding enhances the thickness of the substrate, adding a refined aesthetic and visual appeal to any printed product. It creates an eye-catching golden or metallic edge effect.

This method requires particular precision and expertise, as the application of gilding must be meticulous to ensure that it is uniform and does not spill over onto the main printed surface.

Edge gilding is a recurring technique for high-end media such as business cards, invitations and luxury books, where every detail counts to deliver superior aesthetics. Edge gilding is often used in combination with finishing techniques. It is often combined with laminating, on substrates with 2, 3 or 4 layers of paper glued together for a very luxurious cardboard effect.

In addition to classic metallic gilding, this technique can also include the application of different colors or finishes to suit the specific style and design of the product.

Holographic hot stamping

Holographic hot stamping is a technique that creates captivating prints with a dynamic effect. This method uses special foils designed to produce holographic effects. These stamping foils contain prismatic patterns that reflect light from different angles, creating shimmering, changing colors and patterns.

Holographic effects offer a variety of colors and patterns that change depending on the viewing angle and ambient light. This creates a dynamic and captivating effect, making impressions stand out.

These prints appear to have depth and movement, thanks to lighting effects that create the illusion of superimposed layers or moving patterns.

It’s an attention-grabbing method that adds a unique dimension to printed products. There are many different types of holographic foil, sometimes with patterns. These can be combined with holographic substrates, giving a highly sought-after surrealistic effect.