What Is Hot Foil Blocking?

Hot-foil blocking is a print process in which a metallic foil is permanently applied to a solid surface. It is used to print logos and promotional messages on a variety of products. A blocking die or plate is produced in the reverse image of the desired design and then impressed through the foil and onto the product. The foil used in hot-foil blocking is actually made of two layers, a film called a "carrier" and then the actual, metallic foil; the foil is attached to the final product, and the carrier is then used to pick up another piece of foil for the next item for imprinting.

Colors for hot-foil blocking

The most common colors for hot-foil blocking are typically gold and silver. Some hot-foil blocking is done in other metallic colors, often pastel colors with a metallic look. The resulting image is quite shiny, but often not very detailed; it is not a good process for producing a multicolored design.

Customizing items with hot foil blocking

Hot-foil blocking is used on many different sorts of items, including pencils and book bindings. Hot-foil blocking is sometimes used to create a design on napkins or matchbooks. Some photo studios use foil blocking as a sort of watermark at the corner of their portraits and photographs.

When designing an item to customize with hot-foil blocking, keep in mind that this procedure is not ideal for terribly detailed designs. If your design is simple and basic, such as a logo, some lettering, or an easily-identifiable shape, you can achieve a much clearer result. Hot-foil blocking is a great technique for adding a metallic design to your product and making your company's brand a little more eye-catching and shiny.