What is foil stamping and how does it differ from regular printing?

Foil stamping is a finishing technique that presses metallic or pigmented foil onto paper using a heated metal die. It is fundamentally different from standard printing because it lays down foil instead of ink, and it leaves a finish you can both see and feel.

• A heated die presses the foil directly onto the sheet, so no ink is involved in the stamped areas.
• Regular printing builds color from CMYK inks laid on the surface.
• Foil produces a reflective, metallic finish that ink simply cannot match.
• The die also leaves a slight physical impression, giving the design a tactile quality.