The 3D gold foiling process is a composite technique that combines the characteristics of gold foiling and embossing/debossing technologies. The 3D gold foiling process itself does not have a pattern but achieves a synchronized production process of gold foiling and embossing/debossing by creating a matching negative mold and positive mold through etching or engraving. The resulting effect is a relief-like, three-dimensional pattern.
Ordinary Gold Foiling:
- Ordinary gold foiling is a process that uses a certain amount of pressure and temperature, along with a template mounted on a gold foiling machine, to press the printed material and the gold foil template together for a short period of time. This transfers the metal foil or colored pigment foil onto the surface of the material to be foiled according to the pattern on the gold foil template. Since gold foiling primarily uses gold and silver colors, it is commonly referred to as gold foiling.
- In terms of process, it can be divided into foiling before printing and printing before foiling. Foiling before printing involves first applying an electroplated aluminum foil layer on a blank substrate, followed by printing text and images on the surface of the aluminum foil layer. This is often used for packaging printed materials that require a large area of foiling. Printing before foiling, on the other hand, involves applying the desired pattern on the already printed material where foiling is needed. This is a widely used process currently.
- In terms of foiling methods, it can be further divided into hot foiling technology and cold foiling technology. Hot foiling technology is the process mentioned above that requires a certain temperature and pressure to transfer the electroplated aluminum foil. Cold foiling technology involves applying UV adhesive to the area of the printed material that needs foiling, and then transferring the electroplated aluminum foil onto the surface of the packaging printed material under a certain pressure. Both methods have their own characteristics and meet the requirements of different products.
3D Gold Foiling:
- The 3D gold foiling technology is a composite technology that combines gold foiling and embossing/debossing techniques. It uses etching or engraving techniques to create a matching negative mold and positive mold for gold foiling and embossing/debossing, achieving a process that completes gold foiling and embossing/debossing in one step. This process completes both gold foiling and embossing/debossing simultaneously, reducing processing steps and waste caused by misregistration, thus improving production efficiency and product quality.
- Since 3D gold foiling is a combination of gold foiling and embossing/debossing techniques, the resulting product effect is a relief-like, three-dimensional pattern. No further printing can be done on it, so the process of printing before foiling must be adopted. Also, due to its high precision and quality requirements, it is not suitable for cold foiling technology but is more suitable for hot foiling technology. The 3D gold foiling technology and its characteristics are significantly different from ordinary gold foiling. In addition to forming relief-like, three-dimensional patterns, there are differences in plate making, temperature control, and pressure control.
Process Requirements for 3D Gold Foiling:
- Temperature, pressure, and speed are the three major elements of hot foiling technology. Only by controlling the relationship between these three can the quality of foiling be controlled.
- 3D gold foiling completes both gold foiling and embossing/debossing in one step, so the requirement for temperature is even higher. If the temperature is too low, the adhesive layer and release layer of the electroplated aluminum may not melt sufficiently, and the electroplated aluminum foil may not transfer completely during foiling, resulting in incomplete foiling or exposure of the base material. If the temperature is too high, the paper may deform excessively, the text and images may become blurred, the characters may be unclear, and even the electroplated aluminum may change color. Therefore, temperature control is the foremost of the three major elements.
- The foiling pressure refers to the pressure exerted on the surface of the foiling template during the instant of foiling. In addition to requiring the transfer of the electroplated aluminum foil onto the surface of the printed material, 3D gold foiling also requires a huge pressure to create a three-dimensional relief pattern on the foiling area. Excessive pressure may break the gold foil, or even damage the base mold and the printed material to be foiled; while insufficient pressure may result in incomplete transfer of the gold foil or failure to foil, failing to meet the quality requirements for the embossed/debossed three-dimensional effect.
- The foiling speed is essentially the contact time between the foiling material and the electroplated aluminum, which is also the heating time for the electroplated aluminum. A fast foiling speed results in a short heating time, a quick drop in foiling temperature, and a lower foiling adhesion; a slow foiling speed results in a longer heating time, a slower drop in foiling temperature, and better foiling adhesion. However, if not controlled properly, it may cause the fault of excessively high foiling temperature. Therefore, an appropriate foiling speed is also a guarantee for achieving high-quality foiling effects.