Inline Offset & Flexo · 2026 Guide
Cold Foil Printing Machine
Run cold-foil transfer inline on your offset or flexo press at up to 15,000 sheets/hour. We supply the cold-stamping foil and matched UV adhesive — slit to your web width, shipped to 60+ countries.
Reviewed by Gavin Gao, Technical Director
What is a cold foil printing machine?
A cold foil printing machine isn't a separate press — it's a transfer module that integrates into your existing offset or flexo line. The press prints UV adhesive, the module laminates and cures the foil, and you get high-speed metallic decoration at 3–5× the throughput of hot foil blocking. We don't sell the press hardware; we supply the cold-stamping foil and matched UV adhesive that make it work. New to the technique? Read our cold foil printing pillar for process, cost and substrate guidance.
How cold foil printing works — 5-step inline sequence
Print UV adhesive
The press lays down a UV-curable adhesive only in the area that will be foiled — exactly like printing a colored ink station.
Laminate foil web
The cold-stamping foil web is fed under a nip roller and laminated to the substrate while the adhesive is still wet.
UV-cure adhesive
A UV lamp downstream of the nip cures the adhesive in milliseconds, locking the foil layer to the substrate.
Peel carrier
The polyester carrier is peeled off and rewound. Only the metallic foil layer remains, bonded to the printed sheet.
Overprint CMYK (optional)
Downstream printing units can overprint CMYK on top of the foil to create coloured metallic effects without additional foil SKUs.
Three common cold-foil press configurations
We supply foil and adhesive matched to each. Tell us your press model and we'll quote the correct grade.
| Configuration | Web / Sheet | Max Speed | Adhesive | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inline Offset Cold Foil Module | 520–1060 mm | 15,000 sph | UV-cured offset | Folding cartons, wraparound labels, premium book covers |
| Inline Flexo Cold Foil Unit (Narrow Web) | 250–520 mm | 200 m/min | UV flexo | PS labels, shrink sleeves, beverage |
| Sheet-fed Cold Foil + Inline UV Coating | Up to 1060 mm | 12,000 sph | UV offset + spot | Cosmetics, spirits, luxury cartons w/ variable foiling |
Why label converters source cold foil from us
20,000+ tons annual capacity. Foil and matched UV adhesive from one source — guaranteed compatibility.
Cold-stamping foil engineered for clean release at 15,000 sheets/h offset and 200 m/min flexo.
Every batch QC-tested for tape-pull adhesion and scuff resistance. Anti-migration grades available.
We slit to your exact web width (±0.2 mm). Roll lengths 1,000–5,000 m, core 76 mm standard.
Technical Specifications FAQ
Q01What is a cold foil printing machine?+
A cold foil printing machine is an offset or flexo press equipped with a cold-foil transfer module. A UV-curable adhesive is printed in the foil pattern, the foil web is laminated to the wet adhesive under pressure (no heat), UV light cures the adhesive, and the foil's polyester carrier is peeled away leaving the metallic layer bonded to the sheet. Because there is no heated die, set-up is faster than hot foiling and run speeds are 3–5× higher.
Q02Cold foil vs hot foil — which one should I buy?+
Cold foil wins on speed and short setup (no die, no dwell time) — ideal for long-run labels and cartons with large flat foil areas, including variable artwork. Hot foil wins on substrate range (works on uncoated paper, plastic, leather), sharpness on fine type, and durability of the finished mark. Many premium converters install both; we supply foil and consumables for either process.
Q03Can a cold foil module be retrofitted to my existing offset or flexo press?+
Yes — most major OEMs (Heidelberg, KBA, MPS, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Gallus) offer field-installable cold-foil units, and several third-party suppliers retrofit older presses. We do not sell the press hardware itself; we supply the cold-stamping foil and UV adhesives that run on these modules.
Q04What sheet sizes and web widths do cold foil machines handle?+
Sheet-fed offset cold-foil modules cover B2 (520×740 mm), B1 (720×1020 mm) and large format (1060×1450 mm). Narrow-web flexo presses run 250–520 mm. Our cold-stamping foil is slit to your exact web width, in roll lengths from 1,000 to 5,000 m.
Q05What adhesive is used in cold foil printing?+
UV-curable adhesives formulated specifically for foil transfer. The chemistry differs for offset (high tack, low viscosity) vs flexo (lower viscosity, anilox-friendly). Using the wrong adhesive grade is the #1 cause of poor foil release. We supply both grades matched to our foil.
Q06What's the typical cost difference per job vs hot foiling?+
On long runs (50,000+ sheets) with large foil coverage, cold foil is usually 30–50% cheaper per impression because there is no die cost, faster makeready, and higher press speed. On short runs (<5,000 sheets) with small foil areas, hot foil is cheaper because foil waste is lower.
Q07Do you ship cold-stamping foil internationally?+
Yes. We ship to 60+ countries with FOB, CIF and DDP terms. Lead time is 3–5 days for stock SKUs, 15–25 days for custom slit widths. Full REACH, RoHS and food-contact compliance documentation included.
Get a cold-foil + UV adhesive quote
Tell us your press model, web width, and monthly volume — we'll respond within 24h with the matched foil grade, adhesive and DDP price.