Both a source of inspiration and an invaluable reference tool, Big Book of Packaging Prototypes provides a visual catalyst for the creation of exciting package designs. The diverse range of carton ...
Recent presentations and editorials in the press on sustainable packaging have been very quick to assemble all metalized decorating techniques into one category. In addition, it seems that there are many who want to conclude that all metalized effects are non-sustainable and always an environmentally unfriendly choice for brand managers and packaging designers.
Through the collaboration of several experts and business associates within the foil and film laminate industries, a list of several “myths” that have been rising up throughout the sustainable community have been addressed, accompanied by the true “realities” as they pertain to the use and the recyclability of metalized decoration.
Myth: All metalized decorating should be categorized together. It is all basically manufactured and converted the same.
Reality: There are several different types of metalized decorating processes and several ways to apply a metalized surface to board or paper. Hot stamping foil contains a very thin layer of vacuum metalized aluminum on a polyester film carrier that is applied through a foil stamping or cold foil transfer process. The unique feature of hot stamping foils is the ability to transfer foil only in certain areas on the board or paper versus a complete transfer of the metalized product on the entire substrate.
Film and foil laminates also exist that are laminated to board or paper as a finished material before other printing or converting processes are done. In addition, there are transfer-metalized products where the metalized effect is transferred to the board or paper and the film is used as a carrier and is not transferred to the substrate, similar to the application of hot stamping foils.
These types of metallic products include a very thin layer of metalized aluminum that literally would dissolve in a person’s hand. A fourth product includes wide-web aluminum foil laminations, which are used exclusively in decorative packaging, labels, and scratch-off lottery ticket applications.
All of the above are available in metallic silver, gold, and other metallic colors, as well as in specialty products such as brushed finish and holographic effects. Finally, metalized films that are utilized in flexible packaging applications are an entirely different product and process and should never be categorized with the use of metalized decorating through foil or foil laminates as described above.
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