August 2007 – Foil Stamping on Case Bound Books

Case binding is an excellent solution for books that require durability combined with a classic, sophisticated look. At The Riverside Group, we routinely case bind cookbooks, text books, coffee table books, high-end promotional materials and children’s books. A variety of decorative options are available for case bound covers, including foil stamping and debossing.

Although the main purpose of any printed piece is to convey a message or information, first it has to draw the interest of the intended audience. Foil stamping is one way to create an attractive, eye-catching book design that will command attention.

In the foil stamping process, colored or patterned foil is pressed between a heated die and the substrate. Heat and pressure transfer the foil to the sheet. The result is a dramatic and elegant appearance. This popular decorative treatment can be used on hard cover or soft cover books, as well as letterhead, packaging and many other applications.

File Preparation Tips
From a printer’s perspective, one of the trickier elements of foil stamping and embossing is the preparation of the electronic files used to produce dies. The die maker will use your die files with a CAD/CAM system to create the die for your project, so accuracy is key in saving you time and money.

The next time you plan a case bound, foil stamped, embossed or debossed project, keep these tips in mind as you prepare your files.

Send an output of your file – A printed output that mirrors your die file is essential to ensure everyone involved knows how the finished piece should look. Include these details along with your printed output:

• Position of stamped or embossed area on the sheet
• Size of the die area
• Whether the image is embossed (raised) or debossed (sunken).

File specifications – Your die file should include only the artwork required to create the die; photos and other images should be removed from your file. Stamped or embossed images should appear as an outline, including fonts. The image area should be free of intersecting lines, as they will yield an inaccurate die.

Finishing Tips
As with any finishing process, there are plenty of details to consider before your project is printed. Three rules-of-thumb can make sure the foil stamping process is performed seamlessly on your product.

1) Use wax- and silicone-free inks and coatings – To ensure the foil adheres properly to the substrate, any inks or coatings underneath must be free of waxes or silicone additives. Perform a dyne test on your sheets to be sure they have the proper surface tension for foil stamping.

2) Plan stamped images carefully – Certain image combinations are easier than others to foil stamp. For example, when stamping a broad, solid area adjacent to fine type, the job may need to be run slowly to achieve the best results. On some applications, these stamped areas may require two passes to complete.

3) There’s More to Foil than Metallics – Foil comes in a multitude of colors and finishes, including many that don’t look like the metallic treatments the term “foil” brings to mind. Here are the major foil families and the effects they bring to your products:

• Metallic Foils – Traditional gold and silver are the most common, although various shades of red, yellow, blue, green, purple, black and others are available.

• Pigment Foils – These also come in a wide range of colors and are notable for their high-gloss finishes. Pigment foils are also available in matte finishes.

• Pearlized Foils – Pearlized foils are available in an assortment of pastel colors and allow images to show through, “pearlizing” them to create a distinctive appearance.

• Patterned Foils – Choose from an array of holographic patterns in a variety of colors to make your image catch everyone’s eye. Patterned foils come in a broad range of special effects, such as rainbows, snake skin, wood grain, floral patterns, marble, leather and many more.

THE RIVERSIDE EDGE
Although foil stamping is the decorative “icing on the cake,” to achieve the best results the process requires careful coordination during the project planning phase. At The Riverside Group we have the experience not only to help you plan your decoration properly, but to produce your entire project. Whether your next project is a book, annual report, point-of-purchase display or a software package, let The Riverside Group make it stand out through the innovative use of foil stamping.