Hot foil stamping machine for the space? - Discussion - Discourse

For my project in Applying foil to bookcloth? thread, I’m looking into possibly buying a cheap hot foil stamping machine (£170) because it seems like most UK-made, high quality machines are way outside of “hobbyist” price ranges. (Used for £350+, new for £800++).

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However it does seem like this type of machine might be something useful for the space? These types of machines can apply foiling or even just nice deboss/emboss effects to cloth and leather projects, and if they get hot enough can help do branding on softwoods or even hardwoods.

So with that in mind it would bring some synergy between the Mini CNC and the laser + sewing spaces, as you can use the Mini to carve the aluminum and bronze stamps used on your lasercut or sewn projects. [1]

I never have any contention when booking time on the Mini so I’m not sure if we consider it underutilized. (I’ve had members tell me that most tasks the Mini can do are usually better suited for the laser or the Big CNC.)

1. Do we think this would be worth the space such a machine would take up?
2. Do we usually plan for somewhere a machine could go before organizing a pledge drive?
3. And critically… Is there even space for a hot foil press somewhere?

[1] Admittedly the on-loan heat-press can do this too, but I’m not sure if we have guidance on how much pressure we can safely apply, and if it can be used with alu/brass stamps where the pressure won’t be spread evenly across the entire press’s face: Small Heatpress (Swing Arm)

Personally I think it would be a good addition if we can find the right place to host the machine. I wanted to start assembling some book binding equipment/tool chests for the space since I started but never managed to make time for it. Feasibly part of the screen printing area? Re-name the area print making and binding?

I always think it is a good I des to have machines that don’t get cross contaminated with other areas, plus they tend to do their job better Than some thing that ‘can do’ the job

I think I’ll let this post simmer for a week but my most likely route is going to be to but the cheap machine myself and familiarize myself with it, then try to make enough fun stuff with it that i can convince the space to crowdfund a better one.

(and if someone in the future finds this post and wants to use it, I’ll loan it out for sure, just dm me)

I’d at the very least be interested in using it if that’s okay? I’m binding a book at the moment and would love to do some foil pressing

I’m new to the space so I’m still working how everything fits together, and don’t feel like I can really chime in on how good an investment it would be.

At the same time, can you achieve the same thing with a hot plate, and a stamp (which I think you’ve already made)

Hi. My name is Hope. I am wishing to invest in a hot foil stamp for small projects. I currently have a C&P Pilot Tabletop and do some silkscreen work. I’d love to play with hot foil! I used to work for a photographer that would use a hot foil stamp for her copyright logo on the photographs. 

Would the process be of the same? This is something I would get plates made for frequently. I have no idea where to start, but would love any feedback from some hot foil stampers!!

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HAPPY PRINTING.

hey there. i use a Kingsley Hot Foil Machine. i havent had any special dies made but use existing typefaces and ornaments. i love it. it’s addicting. you can see more info about it here.

i havent any first hand experience with turning my letterpress into a hotfoil machine, but i believe you have to buy something that can heat the chase area or platen. there is something called cold foil as well.

OHHH that’s a lovely hot foil machine! So you just use regular set type? I absolutely love the way it turns out on paper!! I wonder if you can get dies made for this type of machine. 

Thanks for your response. I’ll be looking into a Kingsley. I’ve heard the name before. Hopefully I can find what I’m looking for! 

You can use regular type, but it does wear the face down. I use ludlow or linotype and cast a few slugs to change them out when they get worn, and save my foundry type for printing. You can get dies made, they just can’t be mounted to wood…you need solid metal. They are really fun and can turn out nice work as you can see from Renata’s link. You can’t use cold foil on a letterpress.

yes, you can use regular type. i’ve been using the Kingsley for about 2 years with no real concern on wear with the typefaces i own. i do use fresh type. i bought several from belltype. there is nothing like fresh type. so crisp and accurate. however, i also use old ebay purchased typefaces too. it just depends on your project. plus, you don’t leave type in a hot machine when not using it etc etc. Most type is 18 point body. you can use anything as long as it is cast on 18 pt body. for example, i have some 10 pt typeface on 18 pt and so forth. as well as just a lot of 18 pt. there is also a 12 pt type holder. Kingsley has lots and lots of accessories. it was an amazing company. if you check that facebook link i gave you, there are a lot of snaps of some of the more popular type holders.

you can have magnesium or brass dies made that slip into a special typeholder Kingsley made. i haven’t yet. but it was very popular back in the day to have your company logo made and use a Kingsley 72 pt type holder to print with.

i’ve been researching Kingsley since i bought my machine. it’s super interesting. they owned one of the biggest type foundrys in the states. it was the beginning and end for both companies.

ps. wait until you see all the amazing foil colors out there!

OHHH this makes me happy. I looked at the facebook page you sent me at least 100 times. =))

I have a small collection of type but would love to invest in some fresh type! I can imagine how nice it is to not have to change out random letterpress because the “o” is smushed or something!

Do you know if the magnesium or brass dies are inexpensive? …such as getting a plate made with boxcar press for letterpress? I’ll have to do some research! 

I can’t wait to get started! Thanks for your help.

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