Fantastic foiling effects

As before, the initiative came from Synchron Markings – keen to achieve something out of the ordinary using embossing and eye-catching Kurz stamping foils. The broad aim, explains Synchron’s MD, Sarah Sonnenberg, is to demonstrate the scope of foiling and embossing, and to show that South African printers can produce the same calibre of artistry as their international counterparts.

First step was to create a design with the necessary ‘wow’ factor – and who better to undertake this than Banie Stafford, PPM’s resident design guru? His design, enhanced by embossing and foiling, is truly striking.

Another key player is Printafoil, handling the intricate foiling and embossing stages on the cover sheets. Completing the picture, customised brass dies were imported from stamping die manufacturer Hinderer & Mühlich in Germany; and Leonhard Kurz hot stamping foil was used in conjunction with the brass dies to create the impressive print effects.

The die and the foil were supplied by Synchron Markings, local agent for Leonhard Kurz and Hinderer & Mühlich.

Brass die – the perfect choice

Delving further into the project’s key components, Hinderer + Mühlich (h+m), a Kurz subsidiary, manufactures brass dies to the highest quality standards, producing startling effects. While the initial cost of brass may be higher than magnesium, brass is a more durable material, providing consistent, high-level print quality.

‘This makes brass dies the perfect choice for long-run, repetitive jobs or indeed any job where print quality and sharpness can’t be compromised,’ says Sarah.

She emphasises, too, that the process of ordering customised h+m dies through Synchron couldn’t be simpler. ‘Once artwork and chosen effects have been combined into a 3D proof, die manufacture takes five to seven days, and the finished product is couriered directly to our customers in South Africa,’ she explains.

According to Sarah, the local market is beginning to recognise the added value that dies and special printing effects can bring to a design. ‘For example, it’s possible to use a bright/gloss metallic foil and still achieve a matt look just by way of the effects inherent in the stamping die. Likewise, you can use a standard metallic foil in conjunction with a beautifully micro-embossed die to achieve amazing faceted effects that bely the standard foil grade used,’ she remarks. ‘Last but not least, micro-embossing can be used to create a three-dimensional or even a holographic effect using a standard metallic grade of foil. Obviously the substrate and its weight have to be considered when choosing desired effects.’

The copper shade of foil selected for this cover is Kurz Luxor 397.

And latest news on the foiling front is the launch of Synchron’s 2015 swatch book: ‘This new, improved foil swatch book contains some beautiful new shades that are likely to work particularly well in the wine industry and also provides explanatory information about Hinderer + Mühlich dies,’ Sarah says, going on to congratulate Theo Clarke, Lyn Coupe and the team at Pivot Press. ‘They took on the mammoth challenge of producing this swatch book and have done an excellent job.’

The final process

Playing the final role in this multifaceted project, Printafoil underlines its proven track record of offering the latest technology when it comes to embossing, debossing, multi-level embossing and combination stamping (foil embossing).

Printafoil is well known among brand owners for producing the ‘best dressed’ packs – thanks to expertise in the fields of hot-foil stamping, die-cut windows and gluing.

‘We’ve always focused on providing the highest quality work, together with reliable delivery,’ comments Printafoil’s Brett Sherman.

Machinery investments have been made to meet those basic goals, and the last couple of years have seen the installation of no fewer than seven new machines in the finishing departments, allowing Printafoil to keep pace with demand for these services. One of these is a Gietz foiling and embossing machine, on which this month’s cover was produced – a combination foiling and embossing process run in a single pass.

‘And now we’ve installed a second Gietz machine to keep pace with our burgeoning workload,’ Brett reports. ‘This machine has the ability to foil in register thanks to a sensor, and we believe we’re the only printer in this country able to achieve this kind of application.’

The PPM team salutes all the players for the pivotal role they’ve played in this project – achieving a truly outstanding result!

[Ed’s note: Breaking news is that Kurz has recently launched innovative products for digital printing and metallic doming in conjunction with Gallus for production on flexographic roll label machines. Also introduced is Polar Light, a colour shift foil that can be used for decorative applications requiring a really eye-catching effect. Kurz and Gallus also co-operated in a PrintCity project that was shown at Labelexpo – see article below.]