What is the minimum order?
For customers who are not distributors, the minimum order for a stock item is one roll 24 inches wide by 200 feet in length. Our hot stamping foils are actually manufactured in 25 inch widths, of which the center 24 inches are coated. We can cut this "master roll" to any combination of widths from 1" and up. All orders must be sold in 24 inch widths, but may be cut down to the desired widths. Example 1: If your requirements are 4 inches by 1200 feet, you cannot order a roll 4" x 1200' you need to order one master roll 24" x 200', and that will be cut into 4 inch widths. Example 2: If your requirements are 17" x 1000', you must purchase 24" x 1000', and we will cut the 17". We will either send you the remaining uncut width or discard it.
Which of the colors on the web color chart are in stock?
To check the what colors we currently have in stock, click the tab 'Stock Colors' under 'Manufacturing. Most of the colors that are listed on the color charts are in stock. However, once the stock is depleted, they may not be restocked until it is reordered. This may involve minimum order quantities. The products listed in RED are popular shades. Should the stock be depleted, a minimum may still apply to restock. Different conditions apply for distributors.
What is the usual procedure for color matching?
If the color is not close enough to the desired color, we will make sample hand drawdowns. Drawdowns are approximately 5 inches by 12 inches. In certain instances there will be more than one set of drawdowns. If the customer approves a set, he may place the order for the custom color match. If none of the drawdowns match the desired color, it may be sent back to our lab for further sets. There is a $100 charge for each set of drawdowns, but credit will be applied if the customer places an order upon approval. Average time for drawdowns is about 3 to 5 working days. Once approved, the customer must order the required minimum for the custom match. It usually takes about 10 working days to produce. The first step is to either submit a sample piece of the desired color, or select a desired color from a reference book such as a reference swatch book or competitor's chart. We will also require information concerning the color and type of substrate that will be stamped, known stamping conditions, and whether it is a gloss or a matte. We will choose the closest that we have in stock and send it to you.
What is the cost for custom color matching?
The minimum order quantity for a custom match pigment is the entire first run. This will range from 9000’ x 24” to 15000’ x 24”. Because hot stamping foils are manufactured using actual liquid paint, we cannot determine from that batch of paint how much foil it will yield until actually produced in its final product. The cost is determined by the product type. Please Contact Us for specific information. The minimum order quantity for a custom match metallic foil is 20000' x 24”. The cost is determined by the product type. Please contact us for specific information. Different requirements exist for distributors.
What is the minimum order for a product that is out of stock?
If it is a product that we preferentially choose to stock because of significant demand, the product will usually be restocked, and the minimum order quantity is 200’ x 24”. However, if the product is not preferentially chosen to be restocked, the minimum order quantity is 10000’ x 24”. Call for specific details. For distributors, the restock order is for 20000' x 24".
What are some of the variables in foil stamping?
Hot stamping foils are manufactured as consistently as possible at Custom Foils Company. However, in the real world, every different lot has a window of difference in color and workability. Why is that? Simply because every single raw material, meaning every pigment, dye and resin without exception, although they may fall within acceptable tolerances, will be slightly different from the last lot.
Therefore it can easily be seen that if a mix has five pigments and five resins, we already have ten different variables! This is even before processing on our coating machines. Hot stamping foils have several coatings and each are run on different conditions on different lots of polyester film.
Heat, Pressure - Up to a point, more heat and pressure will help improve stamping image. More heat and pressure will generally cause an image to appear darker and stamp with greater coverage but appear more flaky. A general range is listed in our products page. The larger the stamping image, the pressure is distributed over a large surface area, and less pressure is actually applied to any specific point.
Dwell and Stamping Speed - Up to a point, more dwell or a slower stamping speed will help improve stamping image. Roll on applications stamp faster than vertical applications.
Dies - In general, metal dies stamp with greater pressure and retain better temperature than silicone rubber dies. However, they are less able to account for imperfections of the makeready. Because of differences of heat conductivity, images stamped with metal dies may stamp darker than ones stamped with rubber dies.
Stamping Machines - Different machines stamp at different pressures, and will strip foil in different ways. Roll on and rotary applications work faster than vertical stamping applications. Some machines may maintain heat at a constant level while others will fluctuate more.
Setup and Makeready - Parts can slightly shift upon stamping. An incorrect setup may make the stamping image fail consistently on the same area. For a difficult project, the expertise of the setup personnel is critical to the success of the job.
Artwork - A large area of stamping may require an easy release or heavy coverage foil. Such an easy release foil may stamp flaky on a small artwork. Combination large areas and fine copy creates more difficult challenges. A large stamping image requires more temperature, pressure and dwell.
Substrate Type - Different foils have differing adhering abilities to different substrates. Some substrates are simply very difficult to stamp. Some coatings on papers have a very low surface tension, and others release gas upon stamping. A very grainy surface is more difficult to stamp than a flat one. Substrate color will affect stamped color. Darker substrates may change color more dramatically. Metallic foils are more opaque than pigment foils.
Viewing Conditions - A color will look different under different lighting conditions. There may be a match under one lighting condition and look different under another.
Why are some pigment foils not opaque?
Many years ago, lead, as well as other heavy metal pigments such as chromium and cadmium based, were used in the manufacture of hot stamping foils. These pigments contributed to many of the yellow, red, and green shade foils. They were economical and they were also opaque. However within the past ten years, there has been much concern with the health related issues related to lead pigments. The switch over to safer organic pigments have caused opacity to suffer. Custom Foils does not use lead or any of these heavy metal pigments. We have phased those pigments out since the late 1980's. There have been new advances in high performance pigments which are more opaque, trying to achieve the levels of lead pigments, but they do not come without high cost. There are other techniques to achieve high opacity, but in general, they add to cost. Metallic foils have a coating of metallized aluminum which gives it greater opacity than pigment foils.
How does the unit price work?
The unit size is one inch by two hundred feet (1" x200'). For example, if the unit price for a product is $1.50/(1" x200'), a 24" x 200' will be twenty four times the unit size, or $36. Similarly, a 24" x1000' roll will be one hundred and twenty times the unit size, or $180.
Is there an extra charge for cutting?
Please check with your salesperson. Cutting widths less than one inch usually requires an additional extra charge. Different requirements exist for distributors.
What is the sales policy for a new customer?
For customers in the United States and Canada, the payment terms are 30 days for those with an open account. To establish an open account, you must fill out our credit application/disclaimer form. Contact us to receive that form. Usually it takes approximately five working days to review that application. For those without an open account, our policy is to ship COD. For customers outside the United States and Canada, payment must be in advance or upon receipt.
What is the return policy?
If there is a problem with our foil, the customer must first contact either the salesman or customer service. The customer must then send a piece of the foil back along with sample stampings showing how it is not to their satisfaction. Unstamped pieces of the substrate should be sent back along with the operating conditions of the stamping machine. The problem must be verified by our lab before we will accept any returns. If the customer does not have a problem but just orders too much and would like to return some, if it is a stock item, the customer may return the foil so long as the foil is uncut. A restocking fee may apply. We do not accept cut rolls. The customer must pay for all shipping charges. For custom matches, we do not accept returns. Certain restrictions apply.
***We are happy to hear from you! If you have further questions, visit the 'Contact Us' tab.
