The Printing Processes Hot foil printing or gold blocking as it is also known is a very versatile process. It can be used to imprint a wide variety of products. Foil printing is a clean and odorless process that can be carried out with virtually no noise. The process utilises a combination of heat, pressure and dwell to transfer coloured foil to a product. This colour can be either a metallic, matt or gloss finish.
Holographic foils are also available.
In order to imprint a product with an image, type, an etched metal plate or photo polymer plate is used. Moulded plastic items with a raised surface can be hot foil tipped without the need for a printing plate. Pad printing is an ink based process that utilises a silicone rubber transfer pad, etched printing plate and ink, to transfer an image to a product. Products can be of regular or irregular shape. A good example of the versatility of this process is the ability to imprint a golf ball with a photographic style image.