Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM

Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.

Question

Is metallic foil the same as metallic ink?

Answer

No. Metallic foil and metallic ink create shine in two completely different ways, and they look different in person.

	Metallic foil	Metallic ink
What it is	A thin layer of real metal bonded to the stock	Ink with reflective particles mixed in
Applied by	Heat and pressure (stamping)	Standard printing
Look	Sharp, mirror-like, reflects from every angle	Softer, subtle sheen
Feel	Smooth metallic surface	Flat, like printed ink

If you want the brightest, most reflective result, real foil stamping is the way to go. Metallic ink is a good pick when you want a gentler, more understated shimmer.

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Is metallic foil the same as metallic ink?

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