HOT STAMPING

This technique eliminates the need to use actual ink in the printing process, which is thus replaced by a thin film of plastic composed of four layers: polyester, a release layer, a layer coloured with pigments and an adhesive layer.

The film is then placed above a heated surface and at the same time on the surface that needs to be printed, at a temperature between 90 and 150 degrees. At this temperature, the release layer (made of wax) melts and the pigment layer is transferred onto the material being printed and is glued down by the adhesive layer.

The transfer occurs only when the cliché is in direct contact with the film. Hence, using this technique it is also possible to develop complex designs and embossed decorations. The die can be made of brass, steel, copper, magnesium, “silicone” or ergal.