FoilStar applies cold foil in offset technology, thus enabling high-quality metallic coatings on a wide range of printing stock. Until now, the module has only been able to process single rolls, but this latest technological development now offers the option of processing cold foil with a number of webs. Up to six webs with various foils in a range of web widths can be used, thereby claims Heidelberg enabling cost savings of up to 50 per cent on jobs that require only a small amount of foil. This development further enhances the finishing options available for label, packaging and commercial printers. The new FoilStar module will be available for all three Speedmaster series from spring 2007.
Heidelberg says the process used to apply the cold foil offers a range of benefits: Short makeready times due to the use of a conventional offset printing plate, high printing speeds of up to 15,000 sheets an hour and excellent register accuracy. Cold foil finishing is ideal for fine structures and elements such as text, lines and screens. Heidelberg says the FoilStar really comes into its own with short print runs and frequent job changes.
One of the first companies to use a FoilStar module on a Speedmaster CD 102 is Edelmann in Heidenheim, Germany. The printer, with an annual revenue of Euro158m has produced the Cemetal samples folder to introduce its customers to the impressive benefits of cold foil technology. High-quality finishing with FoilStar has also proved ideal for use in the production of folding cartons for the wellbeing range of a well known perfume chain.
Two units are required for cold foil application. The first applies a paste adhesive to all or part of the printing stock using a conventional offset plate. FoilStar is fitted to the second unit. Cold foil is fed through the nip between the blanket and the impression cylinder. The pressure of the blanket transfers the metal layer of the foil onto those parts of the printing stock to which adhesive has been applied. When the substrate is removed, the metal layer remains on the printing stock. Moreover, the two units can be used for conventional offset printing again straight after cold foil application. The various webs for the multi-web module are also easy to fit and ready for operation in next to no time. The FoilStar is controlled via the Prinect CP2000 press control station and is connected to the CAN bus.
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