LUXURY PACKAGING & LETTERPRESS EMBOSSING

Hot Foil Stamping & Embossing Die Vector Prepress Guide

Hot foil stamping applies metallic or pigment foil (Kurz, Crown Roll Leaf) to premium paper, leather, and folding carton substrates using heat ($100^\circ ext{C} - 160^\circ ext{C}$) and hydraulic pressure. The image is stamped using a metal die etched in magnesium (chemical acid etch) or CNC-engraved in brass or copper. To ensure crisp foil release without bridging (foil fill-in between tight lines) or paper tearing, vector artwork must respect minimum line widths, draft tapers, and relief depth rules.

1. Die Metal Comparison: Brass vs Magnesium vs Copper

2. Vector Prepress Specifications

• Minimum Positive Vector Line Width: Maintain $\ge 0.15\text{mm}$ ($0.45\text{ pt}$) on smooth coated paper; maintain $\ge 0.25\text{mm}$ on heavy linen or textured stock.
• Minimum Negative (Reverse) Line Gap: Maintain $\ge 0.30\text{mm}$ clearance between parallel lines. Under heat and dwell pressure, molten foil adhesive spreads outwards and will fill in tight reverse gaps.
• Relief Depth: For flat paper stamping, use $1.2 - 1.5\text{mm}$ relief. For deep debossing or leather, use $2.0 - 3.0\text{mm}$ with a $20^\circ$ draft angle taper.