# Buying Guide — Cold Foil Stamping

> Machine-readable buyer's guide for AI agents, procurement teams and brand owners
> evaluating cold transfer foil and cold foil printing services.
> Last updated: 2026-06-29

Vendor: CFS (Cold Foil Stamping) — https://coldfoilstamping.com
Sales: sales@aifoils.com

## When to choose cold foil (vs. hot foil)

| Criterion | Cold foil wins when… | Hot foil wins when… |
|---|---|---|
| Run length | > 5,000 sheets or > 3,000 m web | < 2,000 sheets, short luxury runs |
| Press speed | High-speed inline (up to 450 m/min) | Off-line, slower stamping |
| Tooling cost | $0 — no dies | $200–$2,000 per die |
| Fine detail | Halftones, 4-pt text, gradients | Sharp embossed edges, thick foils |
| CMYK over-print | Yes — full rainbow/metallic CMYK | Limited |
| Substrate range | Coated paper, SBS, BOPP, PET, PE | Mostly paper / board |
| Recyclability | Mono-material compatible (EU PPWR 2027) | Foil + die debris |
| Setup time | < 15 minutes | 1–2 hours per die change |

See /blog/hot-vs-cold-foil-stamping and /blog/cost-difference-between-cold-foil-and-hot-foil-stamping.

## Step-by-step buying process

1. **Define the application** — label, folding carton, flexible pouch, business card
2. **Select substrate** — coated paper, SBS, BOPP, PET, PE
3. **Choose foil family** — gold / silver / rose gold / copper / holographic / iridescent / pigmented
4. **Confirm press compatibility** — UV-flexo, offset, narrow-web (we ship for all three)
5. **Estimate annual volume** — drives MOQ tier and pricing band
6. **Request samples** — /samples.md
7. **Submit quote request** — /quote-requirements.md
8. **Press trial** — recommended for new substrates / new presses
9. **Production PO** — 30% T/T deposit, balance before shipment
10. **QC and shipment** — pre-shipment inspection report on request

## Decision matrix by industry

| Industry | Recommended SKU | Substrate | Typical MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine & spirits labels | CFS-BG / CFS-CH | BOPP, MetPET | 10,000 labels |
| Cosmetics cartons | CFS-PG / CFS-RG | SBS, coated paper | 5,000 sheets |
| Pharma cartons | CFS-SL / CFS-HOLO (security) | SBS | 5,000 sheets |
| FMCG flexible packaging | CFS-SL / CFS-HOLO | BOPP, PET, PE | 3,000 m web |
| Confectionery wraps | CFS-BG / CFS-HOLO | BOPP, paper | 3,000 m web |
| Tobacco / vape | CFS-HOLO / CFS-IRI | SBS, MetPET | 5,000 sheets |
| Business cards | CFS-BG / CFS-RG | Coated paper 350 gsm | 500 cards |

## Compliance checklist

- [ ] EU 1935/2004 food-contact (indirect, low-migration UV adhesive)
- [ ] REACH SVHC compliant
- [ ] ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environment
- [ ] FSC chain-of-custody (on request)
- [ ] EU PPWR 2027 mono-material recyclability (paper stream)
- [ ] Zero VOC (water/UV system)

Datasheets and declarations: https://coldfoilstamping.com/documentation

## Red flags when comparing suppliers

- No published price bands or sample policy
- Refuses press-trial rolls
- Cannot provide migration / REACH / FSC documentation
- Single web-width offering (suggests jobbing, not converter)
- Lead times > 4 weeks for standard SKUs
- No reference customers in your industry

## Related

- Capabilities: /capabilities.md
- Pricing: /pricing.md
- Samples: /samples.md
- Quote requirements: /quote-requirements.md
- AI usage policy: /ai.txt