foil blocking
We have a small job on uncoated stock we want to add a protective waterproof type barrier to. We are wondering if clear foil is sort of water or oil ( soaps, candles ect.) resistant. I know we can laminate the job but it will cost more the laminate than to foil in this case. We wonder if we can use this for other coated stocks also that cant be lamainted to easily to add the same protection. We are not sure what might happen.
Have you considered an overprint varnish? It would not be as water resistant, but would hold off moisture somewhat, and would just require another press run.
John Henry
We thought about the varnish and some other spot regular printing press coating I have. I do at times use varnish on blind hits with no ink to add a little shade and appearance of depth. I just was not sure how heavy a layer the letterpress would hold and if any salty areas may lack a blocking effect. At least with the clear foil layer I have a solid piece of film, I just was sure it the concept will work.
because of the “Air spaces” in uncoated stocks, clear foil often, does not give 100% adhesion. Hitting it hard and hot is best bet. I highly recommend testing for your purpose. There are only 2-3 clears out there that really work.
Thanks for the feed back. I know this is an odd application for foil - actually clear foil. I will let you know what happens.
Mr Gary Runhaar used to be the technical rep for a blocking foil supplier in the USA, he lived somewhere a bit south of Chicago. He may just about still be in the land of the living. And might well be helpful in this general area. If anyone still wants it, please contact me here in the UK by e-mail.
Here in the UK we used to use a process called Cellopol, which was a varnish which when dry was machine calendered
Amazing gloss, better and cheaper than overall lamination.
Done by an outworker specialist, not in house. Probably long gone and forgotten, but theres good varnishes still around, some with special performances. .
Mr Gary Runhaar used to be the technical rep for a blocking foil supplier in the USA, he lived somewhere a bit south of Chicago. He may just about still be in the land of the living. And might well be helpful in this general area. If anyone still wants it, please contact me here in the UK by e-mail.
Here in the UK we used to use a process called Cellopol, which was a varnish which when dry was machine calendered
Amazing gloss, better and cheaper than overall lamination.
Done by an outworker specialist, not in house. Probably long gone and forgotten, but theres good varnishes still around, some with special performances. .