The basics of cold foiling. The Wet Lamination process is the best way to get the results you need! ( cold foil foiling dieless kold )

The Wet Lamination process is the best way to get the results you need!

The Basics of Cold Foiling

The idea behind cold foiling is quite simple. Using a photopolymer plate, an image is printed onto the substrate using a UV curable adhesive. The foil is laminated to the adhesive and then the unprinted area is stripped away. The process can be used on both flexo and letterpress applications.

There are two very different application process types that require two distinct adhesive types. We recommend and support the Wet Lamination process for the reasons you will see below.

Wet Lamination

This process is sometimes referred to as free radical or cure through. The adhesive is printed onto the substrate and the foil is laminated onto the substrate which then passes under a UV curing station. The printed adhesive bonds the foil to the substrate and the excess is then stripped of.

Dry Lamination

This process is sometimes referred to as the cationic method. The adhesive is printed onto the substrate which then passes under a UV curing station making the adhesive tacky. The foil is laminated onto the substrate where it bonds to the adhesive and the excess is then stripped off.

Wet versus Dry Lamination

Wet Lamination
Advantages	Challenges
• compatible with a wide variety of substrates • can be printed over most inks • excellent gloss and reflectivity as it is cured while in contact with the foil • excellent print quality • cure through foils • no special cleaning regimen • compatible with the web path of most presses	• cannot use pigmented or opaque foils
Dry Lamination
Advantages	Challenges
• can be used when press configuration will not allow wet lamination method • allows for range of pigmented and opaque foils	• a cationic adhesive is used • requires vigorous press cleaning before use as it is not compatible with any other types of inks or coatings • limited compatibility with multiple substrates • foil must be laminated immediately after it is applied and cured • shows striations in printed / foiled area • foil does not apply as smoothly so prints tend to be uneven with lower gloss levels

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