Foiling has gained a following across water sports. It exploded in popularity after 2013 when America’s Cup contenders started using foil technology.
Foils can ride smaller swell than conventional boards, allowing riders to maneuver through crowded surf breaks without entering danger zones. Foils also enable riders to do high-performance maneuvers like aerials. For quality foiling, check this out!
Hot Foil Stamping
Hot foil stamping adds a metallic sheen to paper and can be paired with other finishes for an upscale look. Traditionally used for logos, letterheads, and specialty packaging, this decorative technique can make a folding carton stand out.
Foils come in various colours, textures, and finishes that can complement any branding. It’s also possible to combine this effect with embossing and debossing for an eye-catching and elevated look.
The process starts with a black negative of the area you want to appear in foil, which is then placed on a honeycomb-shaped plate for variable positioning or a flat metal plate for fixed positioning. The foil is then dispensed and applied against the substrate with heat and pressure to bond it in place. For an even more modern touch, Pinkfresh Studio recently introduced one-piece sentiment cover plates that coordinate with coordinating dies to make it easy to add gorgeous foiling to your cards in one simple session!
Digital Foiling
Foil printing adds a high-end finish to printed materials, giving the impression of quality and luxury. Foiling creates shimmering elements that catch the light, adding an extra dimension and making your print stand out. For quality foiling, check this out!
Digital foiling uses a similar process to hot foil stamping but doesn’t require metal dies, reducing the set-up costs. The machine prints a layer of black toner on the surface of the medium, then uses heated rollers with metallic foil film to stick only where the black toner is.
The foil rolls can come in various colours, making it easy to achieve a personalised finish. This also allows you to produce holographic effects that can be used as security devices for items such as money notes.
The lack of a physical die also makes digital foiling the right choice for small or short runs and is ideal for variable data (e.g. people’s names on invitations). However, digital toner foiling cannot reproduce fine details or serif-style fonts well and can’t achieve holographic effects.
Adhesive Foiling
This non-toxic, permanent liquid adhesive adds a touch of sparkle and shine to the fabric. Spray over the desired surface and allow it to dry for 1-2 hours. Place the foil transfer sheet on the dried design and press down for a shiny, metallic finish. Foil can also be crumpled for a more matte, distressed finish. Washable on fabric projects.
Conductive aluminium foil tapes have excellent flexibility and thermal properties, making them ideal for packaging applications like blister lidding. They’re also solid and durable, resistant to corrosion and abrasions, and provide insulation and stress resistance.
The MINC is a heatless foil applicator system that uses a reactive agent to transfer foil from a plate to your project without heat. The most popular reactive agents are toner inks, but some systems also include specialised transfer gel or paint. Once the MINC is plugged in and the plate is loaded, you can simply place your project on it (with the appropriate reactive agent) and run it through your die-cutting machine. For quality foiling, check this out!
Heat Transfer
The transfer of thermal energy between two objects in direct contact. It involves the flow of kinetic energy (temperature change) from hotter to colder objects through physical processes such as conduction, convection and radiation.
The heat transfer coefficient is a function of the geometry, flow conditions and fluid properties. It describes how much of a body’s temperature changes due to thermal energy transfer. It is also known as the heat transfer factor.
Foil surfing has become a popular new water sport. However, it can be dangerous if you are not careful. The hydrofoil lifts the rider above the water’s surface, making it difficult for swimmers and traditional surfers to see them. This can lead to collisions and injuries. In addition, the foil’s sharp blade can injure people if it hits them. For these reasons, experienced foil surfers avoid crowded lineups. They also wear helmets to protect themselves from injury.