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Hot Foil Stamping VS Spot UV – Everything You Want to Know

display two custom brand boxes against a blue background that display the spot UV logo and hot foil logo separately

Have you ever wondered why some packaging looks shiny and always attracts customers’ attention? In addition to putting a lot of energy into the design of the pattern, position, and shape of the logo, another important reason for this effect is selecting a more suitable printing technology.

Some custom-designed projects, whether business cards, books, or some product packaging, in order to make the final effect meet expectations, tend to use Hot Foil Stamping and Spot UV. They are high-tech printing methods that can make the printed pattern look clearer and play a good role in protecting the product.

This is because they are not so much a form of printing as they are a layer of cold on the product’s surface to be printed. Combined with some suitable materials, these two technologies can make printed products achieve waterproof and impact effects. They can protect the product’s surface well, and their high hardness, corrosion resistance, and friction so that the product is not prone to scratches. In this article, I will explain both techniques in detail for you. 

What is the Hot Stamping Printing?

Hot stamping printing uses the principle of heat transfer to transfer the aluminium layer from the metallized aluminium foil onto the surface of the substrate, creating a special metallic effect.

Because the main material used in hot stamping is metallized aluminium foil, it is also called metallized aluminium stamping. It can create various colors of foil. The most commonly used colors are gold and silver, so it is commonly referred to as gold stamping, foil stamping, or gold foil stamping.

Hot stamping is a commonly used printing technique in business customization. The effect is quite distinct and clear, making it one of the most straightforward techniques for conveying messages. Through variations in the hot stamping plate, hot stamping can achieve a stronger metallic and three-dimensional effect.

What is the Process of Hot Stamp Printing?

After applying a certain temperature and pressure, the color foil instantly adheres the pattern and text of the plate onto the surface of the substrate. The hot stamping pattern is clear and beautiful, with bright and eye-catching colors.

Some influential brands often use this printing technique to create their unique packaging design to distinguish themselves from other brands. Leave a deep impression on consumers.

The Types of Hot Foil Stamping

1. Flat foil stamping

The most common hot stamping leaves a blank space around the edges to highlight the hot stamped area. Compared to other hot stamping methods, the production process is relatively simple. If the quantity is not large, zinc plate stamping can be used.

Flat foil stamping refers to a flat mold as the reference surface, and the stamping is done on the flat surface of the packaging or on a flat part of the packaging. This type of mold can be a raised graphic and text that is stamped onto a flat surface, or it can be a flat silicone plate that is stamped onto the raised graphic and text.

2.3D Hot Stamping

Three-dimensional hot stamping refers to graphics and text processed by hot stamping that have a distinct three-dimensional height and stand out on the surface of the printed material. Three-dimensional hot stamping technology is a composite technique that combines hot stamping and embossing.

It can also be viewed as a combination of ‘hot stamping + embossing’ processes. This technique utilizes etching or engraving methods to create a debossed plate and an embossed plate that complement each other vertically, achieving both hot stamping and embossing in a single process.

3.Holographic Positioning Stamping

Holographic positioning stamping integrates the anti-counterfeiting effect of laser holographic imaging technology with hot stamping decoration technology, enhancing both the decorative appearance and the anti-counterfeiting performance of the product.

Laser holographic images are created based on the principle of laser interference and are produced using spatial frequency encoding methods. Due to the mesmerizing colors, distinct layers, vivid and lifelike images, versatile optical transformation effects, and high informational and technological content, laser holographic images are highly regarded.

display a bunch of custom leather jewelry pouches with silver and gold foil logo against one bright yellow background
Custom Leather Jewelry Pouch with Gold Foil Logo

The Features of Hot stamping

The Benefits of Foil Stamping

1. For products stamped over the entire surface, there are no ink residues;

2. No unpleasant odors like ink; the air remains unpolluted;

3. Color patterns are stamped in one go, reducing waste;

4. The process is simple, production management and workflow are smooth, and there is a high assurance factor for product quality;

5. The processing range is wide, and suitable for paper, wood, plastic, leather, etc.

The Disadvantages of Foil Stamping

1. Not suitable for substrates with uneven surfaces that present a textured or semi-gloss appearance for hot stamping;

2. Matching of pattern color with the base color of the workpiece: During hot stamping, the metallized aluminium (gold, silver, copper, inner red, inner blue) has strong covering power, and it can completely cover even if the base color of the workpiece is black. However, when using transfer paper with lighter colors like white or yellow for hot stamping on a black background, the covering effect is not as good as with decal or screen printing.

What is Spot UV?

Spot UV, also referred to as Spot Varnish, is a method for coating printed products and was printed with ultraviolet drying and curing ink. In order to achieve the best performance, the ultraviolet curing lights and photoresist ink will be effectively combined throughout the process.

Spot indicates the ability to apply this method on a specific area or part desired. This is also used for the decorative effect. At the same time, the “UV” stands for ultraviolet, referring to the light-curing varnish applied on the printed material.

Spot UV is also one of the most popular printing methods in the printing industry. It prints a layer of colorless and transparent coating on the surface of the print, forming a thin and uniform transparent and bright layer, which plays craftsmanship to enhance the smoothness of the surface of the carrier and protect the printing graphic.

This technique can be used to highlight vital information on packaging, distinguishing brand/product names. Similar to texture, it enhances the perceived quality of the print. In this manner, UV printing can become a powerful tool, adding a touch of luxury and professionalism to your printed materials.

display one white custom magnetic box with spot UV logo printed, and one pink magnetic box with spot UV pattern printed
Custom Magnetic Boxes with Spot UV Logo/ Pattern

What are the benefits of spot UV printing?

Spot UV is one of the most common custom techniques. It is suitable for most occasions and has a broader application and stronger selectivity. Its main advantages are:

1. In terms of printing results, UV printing offers brighter colors.

2. Regarding the printing process, traditional printing requires waiting for the ink to evaporate or be absorbed by the paper. This often necessitates powder spraying during printing or waiting for a period after printing, which can lead to sticking issues. UV printing dries instantly under ultraviolet light, eliminating these problems and helping reduce delivery times.

3. From an environmental perspective, UV inks are eco-friendly, containing no volatile substances, making them safer to use.

4.In terms of applicability, UV printing dries quickly and has excellent adhesion. It can be applied to surfaces like paper, plastic, glass, metal sheets, and more.

Using UV in print and packaging not only enhances the visual and tactile quality of the product but also contributes to elevating the brand image.

What are the disadvantages of UV printing?

1. Price:

Although UV inks have the advantages of instant curing and good film formation, they are relatively expensive. Additionally, specialized UV rubber blankets and UV rollers are required, significantly increasing the product’s cost.

2. Suitable Fountain Solution for UV Printing Ink:

UV inks are primarily used for non-absorbent substrates, and the ink formulation varies for different substrates. Therefore, the fountain solution needs to have broad adaptability to ensure the desired printing quality. Despite the aforementioned challenges with UV printing, with the maturation of related technologies and the expansion of application areas, its rapid development is inevitable. In the not-too-distant future, UV printing will undoubtedly gain broader application and popularity.

display three custom paper bags with gold foil logo against one shallow background
Custom Paper Bag with Gold Foil Logo

The difference between Hot Foil Stamping and Spot UV

The fundamental difference is that UV adds a layer of bright oily surface to the print, while hot stamping presses gold foil onto the print surface.

Hot stamping involves fixing gold foil onto paper, giving the print a metallic feel that displays various color changes when viewed from different angles.

Hot stamping not only showcases variations in patterns but also gives the graphics a metallic relief-like texture. This allows the hot stamped graphics to stand out from the flat surface, providing a more powerful visual impact.

UV printing uses ultraviolet light to cure the ink onto white cardboard or colored printing paper products, giving any design element a glossy finish.

Although the main material of Spot UV is ink containing photoresist agents, it isn’t easy to show a gold and silver gloss. But if the SPOT UV is combined with a matte surface, especially on the packaging, it will make an amazing visual effect.

This is because the packaging designed in this way looks low-key and unconventional, which is very in line with the characteristics of minimalism and will bring many audiences who like this style. In addition, some potential customers will also have a good impression of these packages and be impressed.

One Bonus Tip

Both techniques can be used in combination. Typically, the recommended practice is to perform UV printing after completing the hot stamping process. This is because if UV printing is done first and then covered with hot stamping, it may lead to reduced adhesion of the UV ink.

Conversely, if UV printing is done immediately after hot stamping, it can utilize a UV printer configuration with a color white + gloss oil setup, achieving the effect of color white combined with hot stamping. Therefore, while UV printing and hot stamping can be layered, for optimal results, the typical recommendation is to follow the sequence of ‘hot stamping first, followed by UV.

display three custom kraft drawer boxes with silver foil logo against one wood board background
Custom Rigid Drawer Jewelry Box with Hot Foil Logo

The Application of Hot Foil Stamping and Spot UV

As mentioned above, Hot Foil Stamping and Spot UV work well on printing of product packaging, business cards, postcards, invitation cards, brochures, flyers, and other marketing materials. These two technologies are always favored in the design of packaging boxes. And even many brands will combine these two technologies together, producing an impressive effect that ups the luxury vibes of a product.

You may notice that many designers use hot stamping to create an expensive look for products, especially in some jewelry packaging boxes, such as paper box with lid and drawer boxes.

With-lid boxes are usually used for precious packaging products such as rings, earrings, and bracelets. While these products have high prices, they are usually equipped with some special meanings. They could be a proposal ring, a birthday present, or a reward for oneself. In any case, the appearance of the box is a crucial factor influencing consumer psychology. So, hot stamping is a good way; it can add a touch of color to the packaging and make the receiver feel valued by the exquisite packaging.

Some brands pay particular attention to the printing techniques they use in their product packaging, which reflecting their brand aspirations. Brands that emphasize eco-friendliness might utilize Spot UV to highlight their packaging.

This is not only because Spot UV is an environmentally friendly technique but also because it can produce eye-catching effects in elegant designs. Magnetic boxes often adopt the Spot UV technique. As a common choice for major brands’ packaging, the magnetic box pairs well with this technique. It offers a unique way to introduce brand products in high-definition packaging artworks, leaving a lasting impression on people. The striking varnish provides a smooth tactile experience and is one of the best ways to promote your business in the market.

PACKFANCY has been fruitful in the manufacturing of the box. We provide customization services for all the packaging needs of the brand. You can choose the appropriate size and printing technology for your packaging box or any logo, pattern, etc., you want to display on the packaging box.

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