Foiling Guide: How to Set Up Foil Artwork for Print

Foiling can add a premium metallic finish to selected areas of a printed design, such as a logo, headline, pattern or other detail. Correctly preparing the artwork helps ensure the foil is applied where you expect it.

Preparing your main artwork

Create the printed design as normal and make sure it meets the artwork requirements for the product you're ordering. This normally includes the correct finished size, high-resolution images, CMYK colour and 3mm bleed where required.

Create a separate foil layer

Foil areas need to be clearly identified separately from the main printed artwork. Create a second file or clearly separated foil layer containing only the elements that should receive foil.

1. Complete and save your main print artwork.
2. Duplicate the artwork for the foil version.
3. Remove anything that should not be foiled.
4. Leave only the text, shapes, logos or patterns that indicate the foil areas.
5. Save the foil artwork with a clear filename, for example Business-Card_Foil.pdf.

Foil artwork checklist

• Supply the main print artwork and the separate foil artwork.
• Keep foil elements away from trim edges and folds.
• Avoid extremely fine or intricate foil details that may not reproduce reliably.
• Make sure fonts are embedded or outlined where appropriate.
• Check both files are the same page size and align correctly.
• Include the required bleed on the main artwork.

Check the final files

Overlay the foil artwork on the main design before supplying it and confirm that every foil element sits in the intended position. Remove any objects from the foil layer that shouldn't receive foil.

Submitting your artwork

Upload the required print-ready artwork when ordering. We'll check the supplied files before production and contact you if anything needs clarification. If the artwork requires significant amendments or new design work, we'll contact you before carrying out any chargeable design work.