Foil embellishments are a powerful way to enhance product labels, adding a premium, eye-catching finish that helps brands stand out. Whether you’re looking for cold foil, hot stamp foil, or an alternative like metalized label materials, choosing the right option depends on your label design, material, and branding goals.

You don’t need to be an expert in foil printing — Brook + Whittle will help you find the perfect solution for your design and goals. But if you’re curious about the differences between hot stamp and cold foil, this guide will break it down.

What is hot stamping?

Hot stamping, also known as foil stamping, is a printing technique that uses heat and pressure to apply metallic or colored foil to a label. The process creates a durable, premium finish that works well for luxury packaging, high-end branding, and intricate designs.

How hot stamping works

Hot stamp foil is applied using a specialized process that combines heat, pressure, and a custom-engraved copper plate. The plate, engraved with a reverse image of your design, is mounted in the press and heated. Then, a roll of foil is placed between the heated die and the label material. As the plate presses down, it transfers the foil onto the label, creating a striking, decorative design.

Hot stamping is an excellent choice for fine details, intricate designs, and embossed effects. If your design requires multiple foil colors, each color is applied separately using a different foil roll. This technique can be combined with embossing, adding even more depth and texture to your labels.

What is cold foil?

Cold foil is a decorative labeling technique that creates a sleek, reflective metallic finish without heat or pressure. Instead of using a heated die, cold foil relies on UV-curable adhesive and pressure application, making it ideal for heat-sensitive label materials like films and shrink sleeves.

How is cold foil applied to labels?

Unlike hot stamping, cold foil does not require engraved metal dies. Instead, a UV-curable adhesive is applied to the label material with a standard printing plate. Then, a roll of foil is pressed onto the adhesive, transferring the foil to the label. Finally, UV light cures the adhesive, leaving a precise and high-shine metallic finish. Cold foil can be applied in single pass, making it a faster alternative to hot stamping. Additionally, cold foil allows for overprinting, enabling multi-color effects, gradients, and custom foil hues.

Which one is right for my labels?

The key differences between hot stamp foil and cold foil come down to their application methods, material compatibility, and design capabilities. Here’s how to decide which one suits your label needs:

Hot stamping is best for:

• Luxury branding: Ideal for premium product labels, wine bottles, and cosmetics
• Intricate, detailed designs: Perfect for fine text, thin lines, and small embellishments
• Combining with embossing: Hot stamp foil can be used with embossed effects for extra dimension
• Textured label materials: Works well on textured paper stocks and premium packaging materials

Cold foil is best for:

• Large foil areas: Great for bold, full-coverage metallic designs
• Heat-sensitive materials: Recommended for label materials like clear and white BOPP, and shrink sleeves
• Vibrant color effects: Allows for custom foil colors, gradients, and multi-tone effects
• Faster production: Ideal for high-speed printing and cost-effective large runs

Cold and hot stamp foil offer unique advantages, depending on your label design, material, and branding goals. Hot stamping is your best bet if you’re looking for intricate detail, embossing, or a luxury finish. Cold foil is the way to go if you prefer a bold, high-shine metallic effect on a broader range of materials.

This article originally appeared on the Brook + Whittle website. Learn more here.