In order to understand the five rules you must first know how foil is made.
Foil is made in five layers; the first layer is the carrier, this is the clear material that is left after the other layers have been transferred to the substrate (paper,ect.). The second layer is called the release, this is available in many different formulas. A very tight release adheres very tightly to the carrier, a very loose release lets go of the carrier very easily. The third layer is the varnish, and is there to protect the color (fourth layer). The last layer is the sizing or the glue, which makes the foil adhere to the substrate.
You must also understand the term backing; that is, the material that you tape to the platen, and which substrate will lay on top of.
THE FIVE RULES FOR TROUBLESHOOTING FOIL PROBLEMS
The finer the line that you are stamping the following five things have to happen. The broader the coverage becomes, the reverse is true.
1.. You need a TIGHT RELEASE (You can talk to your foil supplier to get a foil with a tighter release)
2.. You need a TIGHT FOIL WEB
3.. You have to have a HARD BACKING
4.. You should use LESS HEAT
5.. You should use LESS DWELL [SPEEDING THE PRESS UP WILL GIVE YOU LESS DWELL TIME
(that is time on impression). SLOWING THE PRESS DOWN WILL GIVE MORE TIME ON
This month’s tip was provided by Lyle Dankers, Kluge’s Senior Service Technician.