Cold foiling is a process in which an adhesive is first applied to a substrate and a pattern of anodized aluminum (aluminum foil) is combined to form a pattern; a hot plate or a heated roller is not required. Hot stamping. In the past 5-10 years, only a few companies have been able to commercialize this process. Now, I refer to several leading foreign manufacturers that apply this technology and introduce the latest developments and related experiences to everyone.
Advantages of cold foil transfer
1, quick start setting (set up);
2, no need for metal convex template;
3, eliminating the cost of pre-processing;
4, short / long version of the game;
5. The weapon that advances into the new market space;
6, a good version of the effect;
7, faster than the hot stamping production speed;
8, connection processing;
9, factory processing and production;
10, rapid replacement turnover.
What does a cold foil transfer need?
1. UV printing/UV flexo printing machine;
2, medium hardness plate;
3, UV curing adhesives;
4, composite unit (hardness 85 or higher);
5, cold stripping type of aluminum (Cold foil);
6, clamp roller (upper roller rubber / lower roller steel);
7. UV lamps (at least 400 watts per inch);
8, a variety of anilox roller.
The key to a successful application
1. The anilox roller should be carefully selected to match the plate design and printing materials;
2. The unwinding and rewinding complex device must run well;
3, the tension of the aluminum foil roll must be well controlled;
4, according to different substrates, the pressure of the clamping roller can be adjusted;
5. Impurities on printing materials can affect the quality and the curing effect of adhesives;
6, the hardness of the clamping roller must match the plate design and printing materials;
7. Signage on the plate can significantly improve the quality;
Processing essentials
1. The coating material or the filler material (paper or cardboard, etc.) should be prevented from being impregnated.
2. The film material should be pre-treated or pre-coated on the top surface.
3, printing speed recommended between 150 to 300fpm (feet per minute). With two 600 watt UV lamps per foot, good results are achieved at speeds of about 300 fpm.
4. The peeling angle is as small as possible when the electrodeposited aluminum strips the printing material to ensure the fine line effect of the image.
There are two different types of adhesives: radiation curable and Cationic. The difference between the two is that the radiation curing type reacts only when the UV light is exposed, and the latter has an "initial curing" process to make it become sticky, and then it is completely cured by the "post-curing" process. Which adhesive is selected is determined by the setting of the printer.
Radiation curing method:
1 printing adhesive;
2 Composite electrochemical aluminum to the surface of the material;
3 The compounder foil and material are hardened by the UV lamp, and the aluminum foil tightly adheres to the material;
4 Strip the aluminum foil (may require die cutting / stripping and other processes).
Cationic method:
1 printing adhesive;
2 The printed material is cured by UV light, making the adhesive viscous;
3 composite aluminum foil to the surface of the material;
4 Strip the aluminum foil (may require die cutting / stripping and other processes).
Precautions
Care must be taken to keep the printing device absolutely clean and free of dirt. It is recommended to implement a variety of special cleaning measures to ensure the best results. The above information is for reference only, and the specific details need to be tested by customers to determine the applicability and reliability of this process. This article describes standards and guarantees that cannot be considered as good quality production.
Source: China-Hong Kong silk screen network