Foil Stamping FAQs

How do I add foil stamping to my book order?
The prices shown here are add-on costs and will be added to your book order. Use our Turbo Calculator to estimate the book price, then send us your book files and a separate foil file. We will review everything and confirm the final pricing before you place the order. See How It Works for the full process.

Can I get foil stamping on my sample?
Yes, we can apply foil to samples. Foil stamping costs $40 and adds 2 days to the sample production time. A standard case bound book sample typically take about a week.

Can I request a sample pack that includes an example foil stamping?
Yes. Our standard sample pack includes foil stamping (#L02-23) on 14pt paper with matte lamination. This shows how the foil looks on paper, but foil can look and adhere differently on cloth or faux leather. If your book will use cloth or faux leather, we recommend making a physical book sample with your selected cover material and foil color before production.

Can I apply multiple foil colors on my book cover?
Yes, theoretically, you can apply as many colors as you wish. Each color requires a separate plate, which adds to the cost.

What are the color options for foil stamping?
You can view our color options on our foil color selection page.

What cover materials can foil stamping be applied to?
Foil stamping can be applied to a variety of materials including standard paper types, casebound books, perfect bound, saddle stitch, postcards, and posters, and is commonly applied to cloth and leather.

Is foil stamping durable?
Durability depends on the material it's applied to. Foil stamping on paper or faux leather is quite durable and adheres well. On cloth, the foil generally holds up well with normal handling, but the color can come off if the surface is scratched.

How should I prepare the foil stamping file?
Prepare a separate vector PDF containing only the elements that will receive foil, shown in solid black and aligned with the cover file. As a general rule, keep lines and the thinnest parts of lettering at least 1 mm thick. Very fine details may not transfer cleanly, especially on cloth or faux leather. See our foil stamping file setup guide for step-by-step instructions and examples.

Can I combine foil stamping with other printing techniques?
Yes, foil stamping can be combined with other techniques. Each technique should be set up as an individual file.

What is the lead time for adding foil stamping to my book order?
Foil stamping typically adds 2-3 days to the total production time, which may increase with larger quantities or complex designs.