Buyer guide · Finishing
How should hot-foil stamping be specified?
Specify foil reference, artwork area, temperature-sensitive substrate, registration, edge quality, pinholes and approved viewing standard.
Submit project requirements
Checklist
Finish details to put in the specification
- Foil selection
- Dieline geometry
- Tolerance stack-up
- Proof purpose
- Target quantity and SKU allocation
- Approval sample and decision owner
- Required date and Mainland China delivery point
- Change and repeat-order record
Process evaluation
Four controls behind a repeatable finish
Foil selection
Approve foil colour, gloss, release, coverage and registration on the final substrate; catalogue swatches are only a starting point.
Dieline geometry
Verify cut, crease, glue, bleed, safe area, window and finishing layers against the approved physical structure.
Tolerance stack-up
Review how material, printing, die cutting, gluing and packed-product variation combine at final assembly.
Proof purpose
State whether the proof approves structure, layout, colour direction, material or finished process because one proof rarely confirms everything.
Execution method
Four actions from RFQ to production
Mark a separate finish layer
Use named vector layers for foil, varnish, emboss, cut and other process areas.
Approve on the real substrate
Colour, gloss, relief and adhesion must be checked on the intended material.
Set visible tolerances
Define registration, edges, pinholes, scratches, wrinkles and acceptable variation.
Retain production references
Keep approved samples, process settings and supplier references for repeat orders.
FAQ
Questions buyers often ask
How should hot-foil stamping be specified?
Specify foil reference, artwork area, temperature-sensitive substrate, registration, edge quality, pinholes and approved viewing standard.
What should be written in the specification?
At minimum, define Foil selection, Dieline geometry, Tolerance stack-up, Proof purpose, then link quantity, sample, timing, inspection and the approved revision.
Is a physical sample needed?
A decision involving structure, material, colour, finish, assembly or use performance normally needs a physical sample matched to that question; a screen proof cannot approve everything.
Can the previous standard be reused for a repeat order?
Reuse a controlled standard only when files, material, structure, supply chain and use conditions remain unchanged. Record every change and decide whether resampling or reapproval is required.
Continue building the procurement specification