Hot foil machines are widely used today, as they offer such a simple way to add detail, shimmer and personality to anything, from business cards to marketing. Investing in a hot foil machine gives you lots of creative options – but to get the most out of the machine in the long term you need to ensure that it’s well-maintained. These are our tips for maintaining your hot foil machines.
What happens if you don’t maintain hot foil machines?
As you might expect, poorly maintained hot foil machines won’t work properly, and you may find yourself having to replace your machine earlier than expected. They may need a lot of repairs and designs may not come out as intended. The machine can rust if not properly looked after and delay any deadlines you may have where hot foiling is required.
How can you maintain your hot foil machines?
- Clean your machine regularly. It’s inevitable that the hot foil machine will be affected by its environment, especially dust and debris that could end up in the machine. One way to ensure that the hot foil machine is maintained well is to stick to a schedule of regular cleaning. Wipe it down and make sure that any dust and debris is removed.
- Ensure that the machine is properly lubricated. This will keep all the working parts in order and guarantee that you’re getting the most out of your hot foil machine every time you use it. Make sure you clear up any old lubrication stains as part of the process.
- Check the tightness of the screws in the machine. These will need to be tight – but not too tight – to ensure that you’re getting the desired results from your hot foil printing. Where the screws are too tight this can result in slippage.
Why hot foil machines are a great investment
Hot foil machines are very simple to maintain, and a little attention will ensure that you have access to this creative tool for a long time. These are some of the reasons why hot foil machines are such a great investment:
- Easy to use. Hot foil stamping is a simple process – heat and pressure are applied to a die that has been etched with your specific design, with a layer of foil in between. The end result is a beautiful metallic version of your chosen design.
- Creative and versatile. You can use hot foil machines for anything, from designing beautifully branded marketing for your business through to individual invites and cards.
- Tailor the designs to you. Hot foil machines come with a lot of options today, from a range of surfaces on which to hot foil to the broad spectrum of foils available, which includes holographic and matte foils in many colours.
Maintaining your hot foil machines is what will ensure that you’re able to get the most from them for years to come.