Foiling or foil stamping is the typically commercial printing process by which a metallic finish is applied to a solid surface via the application of a heated dye onto foil making it permanently adhere to the surface below leaving the design of the dye. Foiling immediately supplies a luxury connotation to packaging due to the semiotic field surrounding precious metals and high-end products. The aesthetic of delicacy, fine decoration and expense created via foiled matter provides a distinctive high-end finish amplifying desirability to high-class consumers who aspire to luxury goods ownership and the upwards comparison that follows.
Environment
The use of hot stamping foils on packaging and the environmental concerns that come along with this finishing methodology are uncertain to many. That being said, industry leaders Foilco note on their website that foil stamping is eco-friendly and that designers should have no concerns about any negative long-term effects that their designs will have on the environment. The information they provide details the following:
- Foil stamping is a totally dry, solvent free process.
- Paper & board that has been foil stamped can be recycled.
- Two independent studies have been conducted to determine the biodegradability and the recyclability of foil stamped paper.
- Foil has no visible effects in slowing down the rate of biodegradation of the paper & board.
- Foil also does not affect the repulpability of the paper substrate.
- A study carried out by FSEA/PIRA has found that the foil, like ink, can be successfully removed by the flotation de-inking process with no particles remaining once the paper was re-pulped.
Paper Embossing
Embossing and debossing are the processes by which either raised or recessed relief images and designs are created on paper and other materials. An embossed pattern is raised against the background, while a debossed pattern is sunken into the surface of the material, though this may protrude somewhat on the reverse, back side. Embossing without ink, so that the image is raised but not coloured, is called 'blind embossing.' Embossing used in conjunction with ink, so that the raised area is coloured, is called 'color register embossing.' Embossing used in conjunction with foil stamping is called 'combination stamping.' Embossing is most typically used to create a distinctive effect. In order to achieve the best possible effect, there are three factors that need to be controlled during the embossing process - these being:
1. Pressure: the intensity of the impact on the weight of the stock being embossed.
2. Heat: the ability to maintain a consistent heat level for the best impression.
3. Die depth: the client's artwork or the engraver's efforts will initially determine the die depth, however, if by looking at the artwork it appears that an adjustment of the die depth may be necessary, the die may need to be retooled to achieve a greater depth. Most types of paper can be embossed, and size is not normally a consideration.
Environment
When it comes to finishing, blind-embossing is undoubtedly one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable as the process uses no harmful inks. This method does not include the use of ink or foil to highlight the embossed area, relying on only the change in the dimensional appearance of the material.
Ribbon
A ribbon is a thin band of material, typically cloth, used primarily as decorative binding and tying. Cloth ribbons are made of natural materials such as silk, velvet, cotton, and jute however can be made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, and polyproylene. Ribbon is used for numerous ornamental and symbolic purposes, including packaging. Ribbon is commonly used in conjunction with luxury packaging as a means of additional finishing. The addition of materials such as ribbon prompt the consumer into personal engagement and interaction, which in turn enhances expectation through amplified suspense when opening a product. By carefully selecting materials and finishes that evoke and encourage tactile exploration, and create a memorable experience, brands are able to establish exclusivity through successful differentiation from others within the same cultural framework.
Environment
Of all the materials used in the production of ribbon, Cotton is the most sustainable. Cotton is the largest natural fiber supplying the global demand for textile products, with the main alternatives to cotton being non-renewable chemical fibers. Cotton is sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice as an environmentally-friendly fiber throughout its entire product life cycle. Additionally, Cotton is very drought and heat-tolerant, meaning it does not require excessive amounts of water to produce. In regard to luxury packaging, many fashion houses have opted for cotton bag-handles in their first steps to becoming more environmentally considerate.
Tissue Paper
Tissue paper is a lightweight paper which can be made from recycled paper pulp. In the packaging industry, this paper is used for wrapping/packing various items or cushioning fragile items. In luxury packaging it is typically printed with the manufacturers brand name or, logo to enhance the look and aesthetic appeal of the product. It is a type of thin, translucent paper generally in the range of grammages between 17 and 40 GSM, that can be rough or, shining, hard or soft, depending upon the nature of use. The addition of tissue paper provides the consumer with further personal engagement and interaction, enhancing expectation through amplified suspense when opening a product wrapped and contained multiple times within the same package.
Environment
Tissue paper is most typically made out of recycled paper pulp and therefore the fibers are already shortened to the point where it cannot be recycled again, however, tissue paper can be composted so long as it is free of any metal or plastic substrates, such as foil or plastic ribbon that is not biodegradable. Where possible, acid-free papers with high recycled content that are SFI certified are best.
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