Design Embellishments
FAQs
Hot Stamping
Hot stamping as such is a physical operation. The optically active layers of the stamping finishing are transferred to the print substrate by means of a heated stamping die and mechanical pressure. During the transfer process, the raised surfaces of the die come into contact with the hot stamping foil. In the areas of contact, layers are released from the carrier and simultaneously bonded to the print substrate as a result of the heat of the die and a defined contact pressure.
Depending on the level of automation of the hot stamping process, it is possible to distinguish between semi automatic and fully automatic hot stamping machines. Semi automatic machines can more and more frequently be found in book-binding shops. They differ from fully automated systems in the manual feeding and removing of the sheets. Hot stamping machines can also be differentiated according to the way the hot stamping operation is performed: Flat on flat, round on flat, and round on round stamping systems. Every system is matched to a different use and offers different benefits. If you wonder, what is the best hot stamping machine for you, please feel free to contact us. We will advise you about your possibilities.
It depends. The contact time affects the adhesive strength and the edge definition of the hot stamped image. It is directly related to the temperature. Higher temperatures, for example, allow shorter contact times. The contact time is also determined largely by the machine system being used. Only a perfectly coordinated time-heat adjustment guarantees that even edge zones can be decorated neatly. All modern machine systems provide computer-controlled programs to ease the handling.
Depending on the type of print substrate, different hot stamping approaches are needed. The roughness and other characteristics of the print substrate surface are important criteria for assessing the right stamping adjustments. A thickness of 0.15mm for paper and 0.60mm for card stock are entirely sufficient to produce a visually optimum relief image in one-step foil embossing.
Blind embossing is not a hot stamping process, but rather is considered a simple impression method, because no stamping foil transfer occurs during the operation. As a result, no gloss, no diffractive effect, and no extra colour are applied onto the substrate. Thus, the very special three-dimensional appearance of hot stamping designs, made by the light effects of the foil, is missing.
Whether hot stamping or cold transfer, the KURZ finishing processes are connected by the special optical effects like high gloss and diffractive or hologram effects on a large surface or the smallest details. Typical applications are: Commercial print and packaging. Furthermore, cold transfer is used for the embellishment of labels. The main differences occur with the tactile effects: Hot stamping is the one and only finishing method to realize beautiful reliefs on paper and cardboard substrates, by the use of hot stamping dies.
As already mentioned before, all of the KURZ finishing methods embellish the design with stunning, brilliant surface effects. While KURZ digital transfer is the optimal addition to existing digital printing systems with a focus on speed and gloss, hot stamping’s strong point is the tactile change of the surface for amazing 3D effects. These are realised by special stamping dies, which are missing for the digital finishing process. In summary, by choosing between hot stamping and digital transfer, you have to choose between tactile effects and speed.
Cold Transfer Sheet-Fed
Cold transfer is suitable for both sheet-fed offset printing and long-grain flexo printing. To ensure high-quality finishing in both processes it is particularly important that all components – from the adhesive to the substrate to the transfer product – are ideally matched.
This process is primarily used for decoration of folding boxes, packaging, magazines, brochures, or wet-glue labels.
In this efficient process, cold-foil adhesive is first transferred to the substrate areas to be decorated by means of a printing plate. The sheet with the freshly applied adhesive is then transported to the print module. Here, the ultra-thin transfer layer with the coating is applied to the substrate between a rubber blanket and an impression cylinder. The applied pressure ensures that the decoration bonds securely and permanently to the pre-printed sheet – and only in the areas where the adhesive was previously applied. The carrier is rewound after the transfer. The decoration can be overprinted (in multicolour) in the next step.
Yes. The technical outlay for installing a cold foil transfer unit is relatively low. What makes sheet-fed offset printing so efficient is mainly the fact that this process combines printing and finishing. It is possible to carry out the cold transfer offline – this is particularly advantageous if a smaller or older plant is to be upgraded cost-effectively. For larger presses (with six colours or more), the cold transfer unit can be installed inline as an additional module.
On the one hand, cold transfer makes a wide range of metallization effects possible – both as fine lines and filigree lettering and in the form of full-surface decorations. In sheet-fed offset printing, in particular, the process is designed so that the metallization’s can also be overprinted inline – with conventional as well as UV or hybrid inks. This creates special, metallic shades. On the other hand, diffractive and holographic effects are possible with cold transfer, which are in particularly high demand in label printing.
Sheet-fed offset printing is particularly well-suited to finishing smooth, glossy papers. Furthermore, the technology is constantly being developed further, meaning more and more materials are being added. The ECOFIN CSO solution, for example, can also be used to finish recycled or ‘difficult’ substrates, i.e., those that are very thin or tend to delaminate or tear.
Both of KURZ’s finishing processes produce high-quality results and allow for a wide range of visual effects – from high-gloss decorations and edge-to-edge metallization to three-dimensional hologram effects. While haptic effects (relief finishes) are possible with hot stamping, cold transfer in sheet-fed offset printing only produces flat results that are applied with pressure and without heat. With subsequent blind embossing, cold transfer prints can also be given a tactile decoration effect. One advantage of cold transfer is the direct integration into the printing process – without the need for additional embossing tools.
Both cold and digital transfer offer an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional finishing processes such as lamination. With digital transfer, the focus is on glossy metallization’s, even for small batches and special editions from as little as one piece. Cold transfer, in turn, impresses with an unrivaled range of different effects as well as a high printing speed. Up to 20,000 sheets per hour can be printed using sheet-fed offset printing.
Absolutely! Because our finishes are not only extremely thin but also recyclable, in contrast to other finishing technologies such as laminates. With the KPS slim 2.0 (patent pending) we have developed a transfer decoration that is delivered to you on a 6 µm PET carrier – the thinnest in the industry. This slimmer backing material reduces material use and thus your carbon footprint.
- KURZ offers a wide range of cold transfer solutions that produce glossy results in sheet-fed offset printing.
- ECOFIN CSO is suitable for conventional and UV systems, for various substrates, and for large-surface and delicate motifs
- KPS slim (patent pending) has a thickness of only 6 µm instead of 12 µm and requires even less adhesive with improved gloss and even higher opacity
- LIGHT LINE® KSO creates vibrant diffractive effects in silver, gold, or with transparency for extremely thin metallisations.
Cold Transfer Web-Fed
Cold transfer can be used in both web-fed printing and sheet-fed offset printing. Regardless of the process selected, it is particularly important for high-quality finishing that all components – from the adhesive to the substrate to the transfer product – are ideally matched.
- In web-fed printing, cold transfer is usually used to finish self-adhesive labels
- polyethylene or polypropylene.
In a first step, a UV adhesive is applied to the substrate in the print module. The wafer-thin carrier material is then applied with the finishing by means of an anilox roller and pressed onto the substrate. Now the adhesive is cured using UV light before the transfer layer of the carrier is peeled off, leaving only the finish on the label. The metallized finish remains on those areas where adhesive was previously applied. Cold transfer is usually applied directly at the start of the printing process, so that the finishing of the label can be easily overprinted in multiple colors in the subsequent work steps. This makes a wide range of decorative effects possible.
Yes. The technical outlay for installing a cold foil transfer unit is relatively low. In long-grain flexo printing, all that is needed is an unwinding and rewinding station and a pressure roller. A separate pressure unit is not required.
Cold transfer enables a variety of metallization effects – both as fine lines and filigree lettering as well as in the form of full-surface decorations. The fact that the metallization’s can be overprinted creates special color shades. In addition, diffractive and holographic effects are possible in cold transfer, which are in particularly high demand in label printing.
Smooth, coated papers and plastic substrates achieve the best results in long-grain flexo printing. This makes the process ideal for finishing a wide range of labels. Furthermore, the technology is constantly being developed further, meaning more and more materials are being added.
- KURZ is also continuously developing further solutions for long-grain flexo printing.
- KPW XU produces shiny finishing variations in silver and gold and is currently available in the colours ALUFIN® and LUXOR® 220.
- LIGHT LINE® KPO XU creates a special depth effect through diffractive glitter elements.
- LIGHT LINE® inVISIBLE is a coloured, transparent diffractive design. Its combination of holographic effect and translucent colour layer makes it particularly suitable for transparent substrates.
