1. Hot Foil Labelling Solutions
Hot foiling is considered the ‘gold standard’ (pardon the pun!) when it comes to adding a metallic finish to your label. Foil is available in a wide array of metallic colours. Furthermore, hot foiling, or block foiling as it is sometimes called, gives a lovely crisp finish and exceptionally shiny metallic look to your product label.
The hot foiling process uses a hot plate to transfer foil from a ribbon onto your printed label. That means it’s a great way to embellish a small area or detail on your label. The technique requires specialist, customised foiling plates and can be best suited to longer label print runs.
2. Cold Foil Labelling Solutions
When you want a large area of your label to have a metallic finish cold foiling can be a great solution. Again, it can create a beautiful effect and is better suited to a label design containing larger metallic areas. Moreover, cold foil comes in many different metallic colours and finishes like gold, silver, rose and copper.
The cold foiling process works by printing a layer of adhesive onto the label material and pressing the foil on top to adhere. A custom plate is required so again, the process can be best suited to longer label print runs.
3. Holographic Films
Holographic films can be added your labels to give a reflective metallic quality. Moreover, the intricate patterns created by holographic films give an amazing shimmering effect as they diffract light.
Holographic effects are used by premium brands, especially for security purposes as they are difficult to replicate. As with foiling, holographic films require a custom plate. Therefore, the technique can be best suited to longer runs.
4. Metallic Inks & Toners
Metallic inks are used to create a shiny effect on your label alongside other standard ink colours. They are formulated by adding metallic pigments, such as bronze, aluminium or copper flakes, to a base ink. Metallic inks come in a stunning array of colours, though their effect is not as vibrant as foiling. They can be suitable for longer run, flexographic label printing.
Metallic toners can be used in digital label printing. The effect is more subdued than metallic inks and even more so than foil label printing.
5. Metallic Label Substrates
Using a metallic paper or synthetic labelling material can be an effective way to produce a metallic label. Furthermore, metallic materials can be used for both digital and flexographic printing, giving flexibility on the label quantity needed.
Using a metallic substrate is a versatile way of creating a metallic label. Moreover, a standard white ink can be used to print areas of the label where a metallic finish is not needed. Meaning the label design can be as intricate as desired.
6. Embossing & Debossing
Embossing and debossing techniques can be used with metallic label materials or in combination with foiling. The techniques provide stunning label embellishments and are frequently used in spirit labelling.
Furthermore, the technique can really make high-end and luxury products stand out on the shelf or online. Plus, it can give your label a pleasing tactile quality too.
7. Silk Foiling
Silk foiling, whereby a metallic foil is added to a raised adhesive, can create a lovely, embossed effect for your metallic label. This process is particularly popular on synthetic label substrates which cannot otherwise be embossed.
8. Digital foiling
Digital foiling creates a similar finish to hot foiling. It has the advantage of not requiring foil plates, so can be suitable for shorter metallic label runs.
9. Thermal Transfer Printing
With the advent of metallic and holographic thermal printer ribbons, small areas can be over printed onto labels to add detail.
Thermal transfer overprinting is a relatively slow process, so the technique is suited to shorter runs or where labels are over printed in small batches.
Talk to our knowledgeable customer advisors if you’d like to add a metallic finish to your labels. We can guide you through the process and advise you on which technique will be best for your individual label and budget.
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