Hang Tag and Tote Bag Printing with Hot Stamping Process

Hang Tag and Tote Bag Printing with Hot Stamping Process

From the basic hot stamping process, the three essential elements for hot stamping on hang tags and tote bags are: temperature, pressure, and stamping time. To achieve the ideal hot stamping effect, the process parameters such as stamping temperature, pressure, and speed must be properly controlled. Additionally, the quality of raw materials related to hot stamping must also be ensured. For example:

- The stamping suitability of the substrate

- The performance of the electrochemical aluminum material

- The quality of the hot stamping plate

Any issues in these processes will inevitably affect the final stamping result.

Choosing the Right Substrate

There are many substrates that can be used for hot stamping, with paper being the most common. Examples include:

- Coated paper hang tags

- Whiteboard paper hang tags

- White card paper tote bags

- Textured paper hang tags

- Offset paper, and more.

However, not all paper stocks produce ideal hot stamping results. For example, papers with rough surfaces or loose textures, such as book paper or poor-quality offset paper, will not allow the electrochemical aluminum layer to properly adhere to the surface. This results in poor metallic luster and may even prevent hot stamping from being applied.

Therefore, the substrate should be selected for its solid texture, high smoothness, and surface strength to achieve a good hot stamping effect and bring out the full metallic sheen of the electrochemical aluminum.

Selecting the Right Electrochemical Aluminum Model Based on Substrate

Electrochemical aluminum consists of five layers:

1. Polyester film layer

2. Detachment layer

3. Color layer (protective layer)

4. Aluminum layer

5. Adhesive layer

There are various models of electrochemical aluminum, with common ones being model 1, 2, 8, 12, 15, etc. In addition to gold, the colors available include silver, blue, brown-red, green, red, and many others.

When choosing electrochemical aluminum, it is important to select both the appropriate color and model based on the substrate. Different models have varying properties and are suitable for different types of materials.

For paper products, model 8 is most commonly used as it has a moderate bonding strength and good gloss, making it ideal for general tote bag papers or gloss-coated papers. For hot stamping on rigid plastics, a different model, such as model 15, should be used.

Quality Control of Electrochemical Aluminum

The quality of electrochemical aluminum is typically checked through visual inspection and tactile feel. Key checks include:

- The color uniformity

- Brightness

- The presence of defects such as sand holes

High-quality electrochemical aluminum should have an even color, a smooth finish after stamping, and no sand holes.

To check the adhesive strength and tightness of the electrochemical aluminum, it can be rubbed with your hands or tested with transparent adhesive tape. If the aluminum does not peel off easily, it indicates good adhesion and tightness, which is suitable for small text and detailed patterns. If the aluminum flakes off easily, it indicates poor adhesion and should only be used for sparse text and images.

Furthermore, attention should be paid to the cut edges of the aluminum; fewer cut edges are preferable.

It is important to store electrochemical aluminum properly, keeping it in a well-ventilated and dry place, away from acids, alkalis, alcohols, and other chemicals. It should also be protected from moisture, high temperatures, and direct sunlight to prevent the material from degrading.

Creating the Hot Stamping Plate

Hot stamping plates typically come in copper, zinc, and resin versions, with copper plates being the best, zinc plates being moderate, and resin plates being of lower quality. For fine hot stamping work, copper plates should be used whenever possible.

The surface of the stamping plate should be smooth, with clear lines and images, clean edges, and no rough spots or burrs. If the surface is slightly uneven or has mild scratches or fraying, it can be gently polished with fine carbon to smooth it out.

The depth of the engraved plate should be slightly deeper, at least 0.6mm, with a slope of about 70°, to ensure that the images and text are clear, to reduce the chances of smearing, and to improve print durability.

The design of the text, lines, and images for hot stamping requires careful consideration. The text and patterns should have a balanced thickness, spacing, and density.

- If they are too small or fine, they may have missing strokes or incomplete lines.

- If they are too large or dense, they may cause smearing.

LIJIE China offers paper hang tags and tote bag production services, supporting wholesale sales of blank hang tags at competitive prices. Customization options are also available.