HOT FOIL STAMPING INVITATION vs DIGITAL FOIL PRINTING INVITES: How do I get Rose Gold or Gold Foil Wedding Invitations?
HOT FOIL STAMPED INVITATIONS, DIGITAL FOIL,
DIGITAL COLOUR, EMBOSSED & LETTERPRESS
PRINTING METHODS EXPLAINED
At Tango Design we can provide all these printing methods. Please read the article or call us to discuss what printing method is best for your budget, timing and requirements.
Digital 4 Colour Printing/ Laser Printing
The most economical, flexible and standard way to print, and their results have nothing standard about it. The artwork/ design is created on a computer and printed on paper or cards usually not thicker than 300gsm (depending on the printer). There are 1000's of papers to fit within this specifications, from premium matte stock to a variety or pearlescent finish one. All colours except metallics and white can be used for this printing method. (No need for a printing plate)
A little note: Digital printing (not metallic colours) is the most economical printing method that we can offer you with beautiful results, especially if you need small amounts (25- 50 invitations) or have a tight budget.
Paper Thickness: Maximum advised is 300 gsm
Paper Colour: A wide range of whites, off whites, ivory and gorgeous coloured stock card paired with envelopes.
Paper: Shimmer or matte finish. Flat or with a tiny texture.
Price Range: $
Production time: Approx 2 weeks from PDF approved.
Minimum order: 30 Invitations (exception with they are combined with custom cuts pockets or elements)
A little note: Digital printing (not metallic colours) is the most economical printing method that we can offer you with beautiful results, especially if you need small amounts (25- 50 invitations) or have a tight budget.
Paper Thickness: Maximum advised is 300 gsm
Paper Colour: A wide range of whites, off whites, ivory and gorgeous coloured stock card paired with envelopes.
Paper: Shimmer or matte finish. Flat or with a tiny texture.
Price Range: $
Production time: Approx 2 weeks from PDF approved.
Minimum order: 30 Invitations (exception with they are combined with custom cuts pockets or elements)
Digital or Laser Foil Wedding Invitations
The Digital or Laser Foil printing technique offers a flat, non-embossed metallic finish similar to the luxurious and trendy hot foil stamping printing method. Digital foil does not require a customised block, or stamping die cut, just a digital file, the paper and the foil that the printer uses to adhere onto the card stock. Available in gold foil, rose gold and silver foil.
Paper Thickness: Most compatible papers are up to 350 gsm (not all colours are available in thick stock)
Paper Colour: A wide range of coloured stock card paired with envelopes. Darker shades of paper stock work better when contrasting this technology.
Paper: Shimmer or matte finish. Flat papers work best.
Price Range: $$
Production time: Approx 2-3 weeks from PDF approved.
Minimum order: 30 Invitations (exception with they are combined with custom cuts pockets or elements)
Finish: Flat
Paper Thickness: Most compatible papers are up to 350 gsm (not all colours are available in thick stock)
Paper Colour: A wide range of coloured stock card paired with envelopes. Darker shades of paper stock work better when contrasting this technology.
Paper: Shimmer or matte finish. Flat papers work best.
Price Range: $$
Production time: Approx 2-3 weeks from PDF approved.
Minimum order: 30 Invitations (exception with they are combined with custom cuts pockets or elements)
Finish: Flat
Letterpress or Embossed invitations
LETTERPRESS or "embossed" is a process where ink is pressed into very thick soft card and the impression it leaves is not always solid coverage, but that’s the beauty of the process.
Paper Thickness: Up to 600gsm.
Color: Blind letter press or colour applied.
Paper: Shimmer or matte card stock.
Price Range: $$$
Production time: up to 4 weeks production.
Minimum order: 50 Invitations
Paper Thickness: Up to 600gsm.
Color: Blind letter press or colour applied.
Paper: Shimmer or matte card stock.
Price Range: $$$
Production time: up to 4 weeks production.
Minimum order: 50 Invitations
Hot Foil Stamping Invitations
This method is a printing process where metallic colours known as foils are applied to your invitations using heat. It is quite popular at the moment, luxury and high end if done correctly, It requires a block or die to be made which can both take time and be a little pricey for short runs or those on small budgets, but it’s a glorious process with precision, sharpness in the detail and a huge choice of foil colours and specialty styles like hologram etc. The process makes use of metal dies custom made for your invitation, combined with heat and pressure, to permanently attached to your card. Any thickness can be used for this method. The most trendy colours are rose gold foil, gold foil and silver foil.
Paper Thickness: Up to 600gsm.
Foil Color: Most popular common colours are gold foil, silver, dark pink and rose gold.
Paper: Shimmer or matte card stock.
Price Range: $$$
Production time: up to 4 weeks production.
Minimum order: 50 Invitations
Paper Thickness: Up to 600gsm.
Foil Color: Most popular common colours are gold foil, silver, dark pink and rose gold.
Paper: Shimmer or matte card stock.
Price Range: $$$
Production time: up to 4 weeks production.
Minimum order: 50 Invitations
Comparing Digital Foil and Hot Foil Stamping
DIGITAL FOIL ADVANTAGES
-METALLIC SHINY EFFECT: Digital Foil allows a similar metallic printing effect comparable to the foil hot stamping but is more cost efficient. This is mainly because foil hot stamping requires a personalised die cut or block, that can cost up to $250 to set up, on top of the printing and materials costs. Rose gold, Gold and silver are the most popular foil colours used for wedding invitations and are available for either foil technique.
-PERFECT FOR SMALL RUNS: Digital Foil allows to be printed in small quantities, we are happy to use this method with anything over 25 invitations. Hot foil stamping works best from 100 + units, but still viable for quantities over 50. The reason for this, as mentioned before, is that the more you order, the fixed cost of the custom block can be distributed equally into the amount of invites ordered.
-COST EFFECTIVE OPTION : It is a relatively inexpensive option, in between 4 colour digital, and the stamping hot foil methods in cost.
-CARD THICKNESS: It allows to use different card thicknesses up to 600gsm, like hot foil stamping. Digital 4 colour printing works best with up to 300gsm.
-VARIABLE TEXT: Same as 4 colour digital printing, digital foil allows variable text printing for each unit, such as the customised name of the guests. Traditional hot foil stamping does not. (one block with the same text for all cards)
DIGITAL FOIL DISADVANTAGES
-PRINTING FINISH: The foil digital printing finish does not have the sharpness of a 4-color digital printing, nor the one of a hot foil stamp printing. Part of details or small characters could be missing. Some characters may be NOT printed clear. The smoother the paper, the sharper it is. The more porous or textured, the more it becomes that the text does not print clear and parts of the text can become blurred.
-EMBOSSED DENTED CARD: Digital Foil offers a FLAT printing finish. There is no dent on the paper or card, as a custom block or die is not used. If dented is required, please ask us for hot foil stamping or letterpress.
-FONTS AND CARD STOCK VARIETY: Only certain font or typographies are recommended to use, large and without fine details. Only certain cardstock can be used. The smoother the card, the better is the printing effect.
Basically if you are a picky person, with incredible attention to detail, digital foil is probably not the best. However, If you want a bit of glamour and your budget does not allow for hot foil printing, this is a versatile and cost effective option.
-METALLIC SHINY EFFECT: Digital Foil allows a similar metallic printing effect comparable to the foil hot stamping but is more cost efficient. This is mainly because foil hot stamping requires a personalised die cut or block, that can cost up to $250 to set up, on top of the printing and materials costs. Rose gold, Gold and silver are the most popular foil colours used for wedding invitations and are available for either foil technique.
-PERFECT FOR SMALL RUNS: Digital Foil allows to be printed in small quantities, we are happy to use this method with anything over 25 invitations. Hot foil stamping works best from 100 + units, but still viable for quantities over 50. The reason for this, as mentioned before, is that the more you order, the fixed cost of the custom block can be distributed equally into the amount of invites ordered.
-COST EFFECTIVE OPTION : It is a relatively inexpensive option, in between 4 colour digital, and the stamping hot foil methods in cost.
-CARD THICKNESS: It allows to use different card thicknesses up to 600gsm, like hot foil stamping. Digital 4 colour printing works best with up to 300gsm.
-VARIABLE TEXT: Same as 4 colour digital printing, digital foil allows variable text printing for each unit, such as the customised name of the guests. Traditional hot foil stamping does not. (one block with the same text for all cards)
DIGITAL FOIL DISADVANTAGES
-PRINTING FINISH: The foil digital printing finish does not have the sharpness of a 4-color digital printing, nor the one of a hot foil stamp printing. Part of details or small characters could be missing. Some characters may be NOT printed clear. The smoother the paper, the sharper it is. The more porous or textured, the more it becomes that the text does not print clear and parts of the text can become blurred.
-EMBOSSED DENTED CARD: Digital Foil offers a FLAT printing finish. There is no dent on the paper or card, as a custom block or die is not used. If dented is required, please ask us for hot foil stamping or letterpress.
-FONTS AND CARD STOCK VARIETY: Only certain font or typographies are recommended to use, large and without fine details. Only certain cardstock can be used. The smoother the card, the better is the printing effect.
Basically if you are a picky person, with incredible attention to detail, digital foil is probably not the best. However, If you want a bit of glamour and your budget does not allow for hot foil printing, this is a versatile and cost effective option.
To keep in mind when ordering letterpress designs
or hot foil stamped invitations
- ALL invitations (except acrylic, wood and scrolls) can be upgraded to include foil printing, however in you are budget minded, digital is the most economical printing technology.
- Personalisation of guest names on envelopes: I am afraid this is not possible in foil or letterpress printing. We can certainly personalise your envelopes using digital printing (extra once off cost). Variable text can not be printed in foil or letterpress styles.
- Personalisation of guest on each card: Individual guest names can not be printed on a foil printed invitation. if you need individual guest names, you need to chose our digital printed styles.
- Matching stationery: To save you money, we print any coordinated items on our digital printer. if you require all items printed in foil, please ask us for a quote. When printing these on digital, we will endevour to get a close colour and style paper to your invitation, however this will not match the paper used for the foil printed invitations. Alternatively, please ask us a quote for these items to be foil printed.
- Minimum order: you may have noticed the foil and letterpress designs have a minimum of 50 units, while most of the digital printed collections can be created with a minimum of only 25.
- Timing: These collection can take 4-6 weeks production after pdf has been approved. please ensure to order with plenty of time.