Metallic Ink VS Foil Laminating

1. Metallic Ink and Foil Stamping Pros and Cons
Both techniques have their downsides, but both methods also have aspects in which they excel over the other.
SUGENG ENDARSIWI-2024

2. • Difference between the Foil Stamping and
the Metallic Inks Printing
• The debate over foil stamping versus
Metallic PMS printing has been lasting for a
long time. It comes down to what elements
you want to give the metallic finish to and the
effect you’d like to achieve. Both techniques
have their downsides, but both methods also
have aspects in which they excel over the
other.

3. • Shiniest Finish – Foil Stamping
• Foil stamping provides a more realistic metallic finish over PMS
spot printing because it is the last thing to be applied to your
packaging box. Due to the runny nature of metallic inks, they have to
be put down first during the printing process. Each time you add new
ink to the material (on top of the metallic ink), the effect may become
muddled.
• Best Subtle Metallic Effect – Metallic PMS Ink
• If you need a more subtle metallic effect, then metallic ink is a
much better choice over foil stamping. You could make a metallic ink
the most prominent color in a presentation folder for a very effective
design; however, you couldn’t foil stamp the majority of a folder
without it looking gaudy and overdone.

4. • Best Choice for Embossing – Foil Stamping
• If you want to add a metallic shine to embossed elements,
then your only choice is foil stamping. This is due to the nature
of metallic PMS ink, which has real flecks of metal inside the
mixture. If metallic ink were to become embossed, the ink
would crack and the effect would be ruined. Metallic foil sticks
perfectly to embossed elements, drawing attention to them.
• Biggest Color Variety – Metallic PMS Ink
• Both foil stamping and metallic PMS inks offer a wide range
of colors that resemble real metals, such as gold, silver and
bronze. They both also have a number of tinted metal colors in
reds, blues and greens. However, since metallic PMS ink is a
mixture, it can be altered to many different degrees, allowing
for a wider range of colors to select from.
• Since metallic ink is applied during the printing process, it is
a more cost-effective way to add a metallic effect to your
marketing materials.

5. • Most Durable – Foil Stamping
• The metal particles in metallic PMS ink can
cause it to become brittle over time. This has the
potential to leave your marketing materials with a
cracked ink effect when they start to get old.
Metallic ink requires a coating on top to make it
last longer. Foil has a much longer lifespan which
is actually lengthened if the foil elements are
debossed, because it creates a better seal onto
the stock.
• Least Expensive Option – Metallic PMS Ink
• Metallic PMS ink is generally the most cost-
effective way to add metallic elements to your
printed materials. On average, an area that is spot
printed using ink will be less expensive than foil
stamping an area of the same size.

6. • Most Stock Options – Draw
• The battle of metallic foil vs. metallic ink is basically a
stalemate when it comes to the ability to choose a variety of
stocks. Both techniques are, and they won’t necessarily get
along with every stock option. Foil stamping works on most
paper options, but it doesn’t stick well to textured stocks like
linens. Metallic PMS ink looks its best on glossy paper;
however, it can also look subtly stunning on matte as well. It
can also look too bright on white colored stock and like foil
stamping, it doesn’t print well on textured stocks either.
• Foil stamping provides a textural relief that can be felt
with your fingertips.
• Best for Fine Detail – Metallic PMS Ink
• Since metallic PMS ink is printed like any other ink, it can
retain a greater level of detail over foil stamping. Anything you
have foil stamped must be cut out from a foil stock, which
means that small details can be hard to reproduce without
compromising the integrity of the foil.

7. • Best Textural Effect – Foil Stamping
• Since metallic foil is a separate element that is applied last,
it has a textural quality that can be felt by the hand. Foil is
smooth to the touch, like actual metal and is noticeably
different from the stock used in your marketing products. This
effect is heightened even greater when foil designs are also
embossed.

8. • The Conclusion
• There isn’t an easy winner in the debate between foil
stamping versus metallic PMS ink because it’s like
comparing apples to oranges.
• Foil stamping is the best choice for drawing attention to
your smaller elements like embossed logos and text, but
metallic ink is best when you want to incorporate a metallic
sheen into your large-scale design elements.
• Both offer a different quality, and both can be just as
effective at making your marketing materials appear strong
and authoritative.
Ancol, West Jakarta, Indonesia-2021