Sample System for Labels & Packaging
Cold Foil Samples and Sample Kit for Packaging Trials
Last updated: September 2026
Compare metallic shades, finishes and test pathways before production. Order swatches, printed test cards or a production-grade trial roll for adhesion, release, overprintability and shelf-impact checks.
- Shade swatch set
- Printed test cards
- Press qualification roll
- Substrate review
- Adhesion & overprint checks
What Is Included in a Cold Foil Sample Kit?
The evaluation package is modular. Depending on project stage and application, it can include shade swatches, finish cards, printed test cards, application examples, recommended trial roll options and a substrate review checklist. Contents vary by project — the goal is to give you the right evidence for the decision in front of you.
Metallic shade swatches
Gold, silver, holographic, champagne, rose gold, matte black, pearl and copper references for early shade selection.
Metallic finish cards
Reference cards showing bright, satin, holographic and iridescent finishes on coated stock.
Printed test cards
Foil-decorated label or carton pulls with typical overprint patterns for buyer and shelf-impact review.
Trial roll options
Production-grade rolls recommended for press qualification once the project is ready to trial.
Substrate & artwork checklist
Guidance on which face stock, board and adhesive information to share so we can recommend the correct foil grade.
Documentation guidance
Which certificates (REACH, RoHS, EU 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR 175.105, Prop 65) to request for your market and application.
Choose the Right Sample Format
Different formats answer different questions. Use this table to match your stage — shade decision, buyer presentation, or press qualification — with the right sample pathway.
| Sample Type | Best For | What It Helps You Check | Recommended Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shade swatches | Early shade and finish selection | Gold, silver, holographic, champagne, rose gold, matte black, pearl, copper | Shortlist 2–3 shades |
| Printed test cards | Visual review and buyer presentation | Shelf impact, overprint effect, application fit | Request substrate-specific advice |
| Trial roll | Press trial and production qualification | Adhesion, release, register, overprintability | Run trial on actual press |
| Substrate review | BOPP, PET, coated paper, wine label paper, carton board | Surface fit, adhesive direction, risk points | Send material data |
When Should You Request the Evaluation Package Instead of a Trial Roll?
Choose the evaluation package when you are still working through shade, finish or application fit — or when you need physical references for internal review and customer presentation.
Choose a trial roll when you are ready for press qualification and want to test adhesion, release and overprintability on real equipment and real substrate. Trial rolls are production-grade and shipped on a standard 76 mm (3") core.
Cold Foil Sample Options by Application
Different markets prioritize different shades and test criteria. Use this reference to pre-select the shades most relevant to your category before requesting the evaluation package.
| Application | Recommended Samples | Common Buyer Concern | Related Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics & beauty | Rose gold, bright gold, holographic, pearl | Shade matching and luxury finish | View |
| Wine & spirits | Champagne, pale gold, silver | Condensation and premium shelf impact | View |
| Pharmaceutical | Silver, holographic | Security and clean finish | View |
| FMCG | Bright gold, silver | Cost and high-volume repeatability | View |
| Folding cartons | Gold, copper, matte black | Board compatibility and overprint | View |
| BOPP labels | Silver, holographic, gold | Adhesion and surface energy | View |
What Information Should You Send?
A clear brief lets us match the right foil grade, adhesive direction and sample pathway on the first request — usually within one business day.
- Application industry
- Substrate type
- Face stock or board supplier
- Printing process
- Press type
- Target foil shade
- Artwork coverage %
- Overprint or varnish plan
- Expected run speed
- Destination market
- Required documents (REACH / FDA / EU 10/2011)
- Whether you need swatches, test cards or a trial roll
Also see our full cold stamping foil quote checklist for a printable version.
From Request to Production Trial
Share your brief
Send application, substrate and target finish along with any artwork or coverage detail.
CFS recommends
We suggest suitable shades and the right pathway — swatch set, printed test cards or a press qualification roll.
Review evaluation pack
Assess shade references and printed test cards, or run a production-grade roll on your press.
Confirm & scale
Sign off shade, adhesion, release and overprintability before bulk order release.
Need help choosing the right pathway?
Send your application, substrate and target shade. We will recommend whether you should start with swatches, printed test cards or a production-grade trial roll.
Sample Kit vs Sample Roll
Both formats exist to reduce risk before mass production — they answer different questions at different stages of shade selection and press qualification.
| Criteria | Sample Kit | Trial Roll |
|---|---|---|
| Best stage | Shade, finish and buyer evaluation | Press qualification and pre-production run |
| Main use | Compare shades, finishes and application fit | Check adhesion, release, register and overprint |
| Physical format | Swatch set, finish cards and printed test cards | Production-grade material on 76 mm (3") core |
| Buyer goal | Design decision, customer presentation | Engineering sign-off before mass production |
| Press testing | Not required | Yes — run on actual press |
| Best CTA | Request the evaluation pack | Request a press qualification roll |
When should you request a cold foil sample kit?
Request the kit when shade and finish are still open — before artwork sign-off and before you book press time. Swatches and printed test cards settle the colour conversation in days, so the trial roll you order afterwards is spent proving adhesion and register on one confirmed shade instead of three candidates.
- A brand or design team needs physical metallic references for artwork approval.
- You are comparing gold, pale gold, silver and holographic shades for the same SKU.
- You are moving a job from hot stamping to inline cold foil and need a like-for-like visual.
- A new substrate (BOPP, PET, wine label paper, recycled board) is entering the spec.
- Procurement needs samples for a supplier audit or a second-source qualification.
- You are quoting new business and need a leave-behind for the customer meeting.
Related Cold Foil Products to Sample
Browse individual shades to review technical detail, or open the finder and comparison tools to shortlist across the full range.
FAQ
Ready to test cold foil on press?
If you already know your substrate and target finish, request a production-grade trial roll for adhesion, release and overprint testing.
When should you request cold foil samples?
Request cold foil samples as soon as a metallic effect is on the table and before artwork or a press slot is locked. A swatch kit answers the shade and effect question; a sample roll answers the press question; a technical evaluation answers the failure question when a previous job did not transfer cleanly.
Most buyers move through all three, in that order. Shade shortlisting comes first because it is the cheapest decision to change. A trial roll follows once two or three grades are in contention, so a short press run can record adhesion, release and overprint behaviour on the real substrate. A technical evaluation is added when the trial shows a defect that needs a cause, not just a different foil.
- Sample kit — comparing shades, holographic patterns and finishes across a design shortlist.
- Sample roll — production-grade material slit to your web width for a live press trial.
- Technical evaluation — adhesion, transfer and overprint assessment when results are inconsistent.
What information should buyers send with a sample request?
Send the substrate, press type, adhesive system and target effect. Those four details decide which carrier gauge, release grade and shade we send, and they are the difference between a useful sample and a guess. Roll width and intended trial quantity let us slit the material so it runs without rework.
| Detail | Why it matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Coated, uncoated and film stocks need different release and adhesive behaviour | 80 g/m² wet-strength label paper |
| Printing process / press | Determines carrier gauge and web tension window | UV flexo, 8-colour narrow web |
| Adhesive system | Cure speed and tack must match the foil release | UV cationic cold foil adhesive |
| Target effect | Shade, gloss level and holographic pattern selection | Bright gold, high gloss |
| Roll width | Sample is slit to your web so no re-slitting is needed | 330 mm |
| Trial quantity | Sets whether a swatch, short roll or full roll is appropriate | 100 lm trial |
| Application | Shelf life, rub and overprint expectations differ by market | Spirits label, export |
Details to include with a cold foil sample or trial roll request
Cold foil sample kit vs cold foil sample roll
A sample kit is for choosing; a sample roll is for proving. The kit puts shades, holographic patterns and printed test cards side by side so a design and procurement team can agree on an effect. The roll is production material, slit to your width, so the press can generate real adhesion and overprint data.
| Aspect | Cold foil sample kit / swatch book | Cold foil sample roll |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Shade and effect selection | Press qualification |
| Format | Swatches and printed test cards | Slit roll of production material |
| Who uses it | Designers, brand owners, procurement | Press crew, process engineers |
| Answers | Which metallic effect do we want? | Does it transfer and hold on our stock? |
| Typical next step | Shortlist two or three grades | Release to production or adjust setup |
Cold foil sample kit compared with a cold foil trial roll
How CFS helps evaluate sample results
We review what the press actually produced, not just the swatch. Send printed samples or clear photos and we work through adhesion, transfer sharpness, overprint result and colour or effect match, then point to the setup variable most likely responsible for anything that failed.
- Adhesion — tape-pull behaviour on your substrate and whether a primer or sealcoat is the practical fix.
- Transfer sharpness — pinholing, halo and missing areas traced back to adhesive volume, nip pressure or UV output.
- Overprint result — whether CMYK over the metallic holds density and register at your press speed.
- Colour and effect match — comparing the trial against the approved swatch under consistent lighting.
- Defect troubleshooting — wrinkles, ghosting and registration drift referred to the diagnosis worksheet.
Request cold foil samples
Tell us the substrate, press and target effect and we will match the shades, slit the material to your web width and review the trial results with you.
Free worksheets for your press and buying team
No email required. Practical starting checklists — final settings must be confirmed by press trial on your own substrate, adhesive, foil grade and curing conditions.
Cold Foil Sample Evaluation Form for Labels and Packaging (PDF)
Buyer-side scoring form for comparing foil samples on brightness, adhesion, rub resistance, overprint compatibility and production suitability.
Cold Foil Press Setup Checklist Before Production (PDF)
A 15-point pre-production checklist covering substrate, adhesive transfer, foil path, nip pressure, UV curing, registration and first-run inspection.