Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Foil labels are cardboard tags on which the logo or text is applied by hot foil stamping – a heated die presses a thin metallised foil onto the card, and the foil stays only where the die shape is. The result is a brilliant gold, silver, copper, holographic or coloured effect that ordinary printing cannot achieve. Foil is one of the most widely used finishes on premium hang tags.
How a foil label is made
- Die. A metal die is made from the vector file of the logo – usually from magnesium or brass. The die is reused for subsequent runs.
- Heat and pressure. The machine heats the die and presses it through the foil ribbon onto the card.
- Transfer. Under heat and pressure, the adhesive layer of the foil bonds to the card only in the areas of the die.
- Release. The ribbon is peeled away, and the metallised image remains on the tag.
Hot foil stamping is done after the main print and usually before die cutting. If the tag is laminated, the foil is applied on top of the laminate.
Types of foil for labels
| Foil | Effect | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss gold | classic luxurious shine | eveningwear, lingerie, gift collections |
| Matte gold | muted, refined shine | premium brands with a minimalist style |
| Silver | cool, modern accent | sportswear, technical clothing, menswear |
| Copper and rose gold | warm, modern | womenswear, accessories |
| Holographic | iridescent colours, security effect | youth brands, limited editions |
| Coloured (pigment) | solid matte or gloss colour | printing a light colour on dark card |
| Clear (gloss) | shiny “varnish” effect without colour | subtle accents on black or coloured card |
Foil labels: on which card
Foil looks best on smooth surfaces where transfer is even. This is how it behaves on different materials:
- Black or dark coloured card – the strongest contrast. A gold or silver logo on a black background is a classic for luxury tags.
- White coated board – a clean and elegant result, suitable for fine fonts.
- Soft-touch laminate – the velvety surface and the shine of the foil create a strong tactile contrast. It requires a correctly chosen foil that adheres to the laminate.
- Kraft card – gold and copper look warm and natural. With a rough texture, fine details may not transfer completely.
- Textured designer papers – give an interesting effect but require heavier lines and a sample test.
Foil plus embossing
When hot foil stamping is combined with embossing, the logo both shines and rises above the surface. A combination die that does both operations at once is used, or two consecutive operations. This effect is among the most recognisable marks of a premium tag. A heavy card is needed, otherwise the relief shows strongly on the reverse.
How to prepare the design for foil
- Vector. The foil area must be vector, on a separate layer or as a spot colour with a clear name, for example “Foil Gold”.
- Line thickness. Very thin lines and small counters in letters can fill in. Avoid lines under about 0.2–0.3 mm and fonts with very fine serifs at small sizes.
- Large solid areas. Wide solid areas of foil can transfer unevenly and show “bubbles”. If you want a large area, discuss it in advance.
- Registration with the print. If the foil must align exactly with a printed element, allow a little tolerance – do not design the foil butting up against a coloured outline.
- Distance from the edge. Keep at least a few millimetres from the cutting line.
Where to use foil on the tag
Foil works best as an accent, not as a background. The most effective options are:
- only the logo on the front, with no other print;
- a thin frame along the outline of the tag;
- the name of the collection or line;
- a small symbol on the back that repeats the logo.
Product data – price, size, barcode – is not done in foil. A barcode in metallic foil is hard to scan because of the reflection.
Cold foil and digital foil
Besides classic hot foil stamping, there are other ways to achieve a metallic effect. With cold foil, the adhesive is applied with a printing plate and the foil is transferred without heat. The method allows colour printing on top of the applied foil to create metallic colours – for example shiny blue or green. With digital foil (also called sleeking), the foil adheres to toner printed on a digital press and no die is needed. This is a practical option for samples and small runs, but the shine and durability are usually inferior to hot foil stamping.
Common mistakes with foil labels
- Too much foil on one tag – the luxury effect is lost and the tag looks cluttered.
- Thin card on which the pressure of the die shows on the reverse.
- Fine serif fonts at small sizes that fill in or break up.
- Foil on varnish or laminate without checking that it adheres reliably.
Foil and the other brand elements
If the hang tag has a gold logo, consider the same accent elsewhere – a metal logo plate, eyelets or buttons in a gold colour. This way the tag and the garment’s accessories look like one whole. See for example the metal logo plates, which are often combined with cardboard tags on jeans and jackets. You will find all hang tag options under hang tags.
Foil labels from Polkom
Polkom manufactures custom cardboard hang tags with hot foil stamping in gold, silver, copper, holographic or coloured foil, on its own or combined with embossing and lamination. We will help you prepare the logo and send a sample so you can see the shine on the actual card. Minimum quantities depend on the item. Send an inquiry with your logo file.
