--- title: "Hot foil: how it works and when to use it | Oppaca" description: Hot foil let you have endless different end results according to the foil and the support chosen. Discover more in this article! image: https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/copertinastampacaldo-2.jpg --- [![Oppaca](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/OPPACA%20LOGO_White-1.png) ](https://www.oppaca.com?hsLang=en)   [oppaca@oppaca.com](mailto:oppaca@oppaca.com) en chevron-down icon {{ store.current.symbol }} - {{ currency.code }} chevron-down icon user icon [0 ](https://www.oppaca.com/carrello?hsLang=en) bars icon times icon [Share this blog post on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on Pinterest ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Blog](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog) [Print](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/print) # Hot foil: how it works and when to use it 24 Jul, 2020 24 July, 2020 - [Federica Artuffo](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/author/federica-artuffo) [Share this blog post on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on Pinterest ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) ![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/copertinastampacaldo-2.jpg) ##### **Hot foil** or **foil printing** is one of the most appreciated and used ennoblements since it let you obtain endless different effects depending on the type of foil used: whatever you’d like to communicate with your **sticker labels** or your product, this technique will surely add an extra touch to your creativity!   **Hot foil** has its roots in the ancient art of **gilding**: in ancient times, indeed, thin golden foils were brushed to beautify different objects like jewels or pieces of furniture. With the arise of the first manuscripts this technique started to be applied to the paper as well, with the addition of precious golden details in the **cover** or **miniatures**. Nowadays, the modern techniques born at the end of XIX century do not use golden foil any longer but cheaper materials that – anyway – are applied according to the same, old principles: the combined action of pressure and heat. ### How foil printing works: its pro and cons **Foil printing** consists indeed in the transfer of a metallic or neutral foil over a surface thanks to a heated press that has previously been engraved with the image desired. This process can be applied to any surface, from plastic to glass and paper and even irregularly shaped objects: this is one of the reasons why **hot foil** is so appreciated! The **variety of available foils** is without any doubt another reason behind the success of this **ennoblement**. Foils are indeed available in a wide range of colours and textures: from classic **metallic** or **matte** foils to more particular ones like **pearlescent**, **holographic** or **glittering**. Furthermore, **foils** use the universal colour codes thus representing the perfect solution for those who want to faithfully reproduce a colour already present in another part of the packaging. Pros are a lot. What about cons? For what concerns **disadvantages**, we must remember that it is a relatively expensive technique, especially when talking about small quantities. The **machinery** creation has indeed a pretty high cost that is always better to amortise with consistent orders. **Hot foil** also does not allow the creation of very small details or colour shades.   ![Hot foil](https://www.oppaca.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/macrostampacaldo-2.jpg?width=450&name=macrostampacaldo-2.jpg)   ### Custom labels, business cards and so much more… Thanks to the possibility of printing on different surfaces and the variety of available effects and colours, there are lot of possible application for this technique. Let’s see together the most important! - **Business cards**: if you want to get noticed and convey elegance, aesthetic taste and passion design since the first moment, **hot foil** can make your business card truly unique, It’s not by chance that it is often used by graphic designer, events planner o for fashionable places. - **T-shirt and fabric**: whether you want to print tote bags to give as a gadget to your event or custom t-shirts for your team, this ennoblement can perfectly be used on fabric as well. - **Packaging**: a product packaging has to attract consumers’ attention – just like its label. **Hot foil**, thanks to its brilliance, is therefore a good solution for box, carton and other types of packaging. - **Custom labels**: your product does not have any packaging? **Hot foil** can be used to make your custom label design more precious – for food products, cosmetics, wine, liquor and much more! Want to **print labels with hot foil**? Get an [instant quote](https://www.oppaca.com/en/products/adhesive-labels?hsLang=en) now! Did you like the article? Share it! [Share this blog post on Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [Share this blog post on Pinterest ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/hot-foil) [ Next ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/case-history/bottle-labels?hsLang=en) --- Related post Learn more [![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/166_cop.jpg) ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/holographic-foil-printing-what-it-and-how-does-it-work?hsLang=en) [Print](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/print) [Holographic Foil Printing: what is it, and how does it work?](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/holographic-foil-printing-what-it-and-how-does-it-work?hsLang=en) May 26, 2022 [![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/etichette-per-vino-2.jpg) ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/screen-printing?hsLang=en) [Print](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/print) [Screen printing or hot foil: which one suits you best?](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/screen-printing?hsLang=en) May 27, 2022 [![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/etichette_lamina_oro-2.jpg) ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/gold-hot-foil?hsLang=en) [Packaging](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/packaging) [Gold hot foil for unforgettable labels](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/gold-hot-foil?hsLang=en) Oct 14, 2020 [![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/punzone-1.jpg) ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-hot-foil-stamping-plate?hsLang=en) [Print](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/print) [What is a stamping plate?](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-hot-foil-stamping-plate?hsLang=en) May 25, 2022 [![](https://www.oppaca.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/lamina-May-19-2022-12-33-06-97-PM.jpg) ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-hot-foil-printing-industry?hsLang=en) [Tutorials](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tag/tutorials) [What is Hot foil in the printing industry?](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/tips-and-tricks/what-hot-foil-printing-industry?hsLang=en) Apr 08, 2020 [ Next ](https://www.oppaca.com/en/blog/case-history/bottle-labels?hsLang=en) Phone Number Customer type Person Freelance Corporate Fiscal code VAT number (for Companies) SDI code or PEC code (optional)