Raised Foil Invitations

Important Instructions

For best results, we strongly recommend you ensure the following to avoid delays and/or unexpected print results.

1. Supply fonts larger than 8pt
2. Use sans serif fonts
3. Avoid having artwork underneath the foil areas (i.e. using a mask instead)
4. Avoid areas of heavy foil coverage with small/fine (non-foil) text or linework knocked out, as there is a tendency for these to fill in.
5. CAUTION: Our foil machine manufacturer does not recommend extending the foil design to the trimmed edge of the card, as there would be a high possibility of the foil peeling off along the trimmed edges. There should be at least a 5mm foil-free area around the edges. If you supply foil files with full bleed, please note our automation will automatically apply a 5 mm gap (from the trim edge) on your foil files to prevent the risks of the trimmed edges lifting/peeling. The non-foiled gap area may be visible along the edges as a result. It is best to avoid full bleed on your foil files for the above reasons.
6. Add More Space Between Letters
   Metallic foil needs extra room to apply properly.
   • Increase letter spacing (tracking) slightly
   • For small text, a tracking of +20 to +50 works well
   • Watch out for letters that sit very close together and space them out a bit
7. Choose the Right Font Size and Weight
   Very thick or tiny text can cause problems with foil.
   • Avoid ultra-bold or heavy fonts
   • Use regular or medium font weights instead
   • Keep foil text at least 7–8 pt for best results
8. Reduce Thick Letter Shapes
   If your text looks tight or heavy:
   • Add a very thin outline (stroke) inside each letter
   • Set the outline color to match the background
   • This slightly reduces the thickness of the letters, creating more space between them
   Why this helps:
   Metallic foil can spread during production. Thinning the letters prevents them from touching or filling in once foiled.
9. Allow for Foil Spread
   Foil can spread slightly during production.
   • Very small gaps may disappear
   • Keep visible spaces between letters and shapes no thinner than 0.3–0.5 pt

Step 1

Ensure the file matches the product’s required dimensions. Ensure that the artwork is created in CMYK 300 dpi with 1/16 inch bleeds on all sides.

Step 2

Separate artwork into two files: one is for foil lamination, for which the artwork’s color should be set to 100% black. Another file should be in the CMYK color space for artwork that is not foil printed.

Step 3

Export all files into PDF format with bleeds.