As with gluing, all our laminates,
and also our specially formulated U.V. varnishes,
can be satisfactorily foil blocked using
foils designed for the job. However the design
of the image, the size and type of die, the
foiling machinery type, the quality of the
make-ready and choice of running conditions
are all extremely important factors in the
success of the operation.
Some speciality
foils, such as holographic or patterned
types and even some of the more
unusual colours, are available only as general
purpose grades that will not foil well or
easily onto our more difficult finishes.
It is impossible
to achieve an acceptable result with some
foil/finish combinations.
We can laminate
over most foil blocked images provided
the image is flat and not heavily
embossed.
We can varnish over foil blocking
if its surface is not contaminated with
waxes from the release
coating. This can cause reticulation
and/or poor adhesion of the varnish.
If you
are combining foil with spot U.V. we prefer
to varnish over the foil rather
than
use foil blockable grades of varnish.
Recommendations
Please tell us when booking in your work
if the job will be foiled either before or
after lamination or varnishing. This will
help us plan production and select materials
most suitable for the job. It is equally
important for the foil blocker to be aware
of what finish will be on the sheet or applied
over the foil.
If you are unsure of the compatibility
of foil and finish we will be glad to proof
or supply sheets for the foil blocker to
test.
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Foil
blocking onto film laminates or UV
varnishes
It is generally recommended that
foil blocking and embossing is carried
out prior to laminating or varnishing.
Foil blocking and embossing can be
processed after laminating but there
is a risk of the foil not adhering
to the coated surface.
Matt laminating
is the exception to this rule as
it can be readily
foilblocked after laminating.
It
is not recommended that double
sided laminates or varnishes are
foil blocked as the foil from
the edges of the image may be transfered
to the underside of the sheet.
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Foil
blocking large areas
It is possible to foil block large
areas of foil onto print that has
not been laminated or varnished.
We would advise that areas above
A4 are proofed prior to printing.
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