Cold Foil
AIM, Inc. serves as US Agents for Eagle Systems.
Create spectacular designs which are not possible in other processes.
Lithographic cold foil application is a printing process that allows metallic foil to be positioned anywhere on a printed sheet with litho precision. It is possible to produce half tones, fine lines, fine reverse outs and full sheet coverage and all at normal litho speeds.
The process involves two units of a litho press.
In the first unit a specially prepared but commercially available adhesive which has the same base and rheology as ink is applied to the substrate by a standard litho plate in the foiling pattern required.
Metallic cold foil passes between the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder of the second print unit where the aluminum portion of the foil adheres to the adhesive in the printed pattern.
Predominantly silver foil is used and then overprinted by the CMYK process, or spot colors to produce any color of foil anywhere on the sheet. Foil color layout constraints are no longer an issue.
This process requires a minimum of 6 print units plus coater although it is also possible to cold foil off-line with a two color press.
When not applying foil the print units can be used for their original purpose without any mechanical or electrical adjustment.
The Eagle Systems Eco-Flow unit consists of a single module which is mounted above the foil or film pressing unit (usually the second unit) of the press. The unwind and rewind of the foil or film is controlled by special shafts which allow for several rolls of foil to be run simultaneously on the press with step and repeat capabilities. Maximum speed 20,000 sheets per hour.
The range covers two application, “Eco-Foil” lithographic cold foil printing and “Eco-Cast” UV film casting (cast & cure) equipment. Both ranges leave the smallest possible environmental finger print in terms of recyclability and power requirements.
Lithographic cold foil is fully recyclable on the printed substrate and due to the fact that the used foil is rewound in the “Eco-Foil” system, the polyester portion can be reclaimed and often has a value to the recycling company. Competitively priced products such as foil lined board are not recyclable and not green friendly, similarly neither is used foil that is shredded and placed in land fill and both leave a huge fingerprint across their products.
UV film casting which impart a holographic finish to the printed sheet is recyclable on the substrate and the embossed polyester film is rewound and reused many times until eventually reclaimed. The unique “Eco-Power” system allows for minimal power usage of less than 1 amp per phase to be used when operating at line speeds. The operational control of the equipment also ensures that cold foil is fully utilised in the machine direction, by employing step and repeat procedures, and across the web by the ability to use multiple foil rolls. The “Eco-Flow” is designed to fit on all types of lithographic printing presses from 74cm (29”) to 162cm (64”) and operates with a positive continuous foil drive ensuring that the “live” side of the foil does not touch any of the rollers within the module thereby maintaining the integrity of the transferable foil portion. The modules will run with a maximum operating speed equivalent to 20,000 sheets per hour. Application on web fed presses is also available.