About CMYK Over Foil
Printable silver foil creates a metallic foundation that can be overprinted with CMYK inks. This technique allows for vibrant metallic colors while maintaining precise registration and detail in the printed artwork. The silver base adds a luminous quality to the colors printed on top.
Unlike traditional foil stamping where foil sits on top of printed artwork, printable foil acts as a base layer. The CMYK process colors print directly onto the metallic surface, creating rich, shimmering effects that combine the precision of digital printing with the elegance of metallic finishes.
Best Practices
- Layer order is critical: Foil prints first as the base layer, then CMYK overprints on top. The Layers panel should show Foil above CMYK (top-down = print order reversed).
- Overprint settings: HP Foil must be set to overprint to ensure proper layering with the CMYK artwork above.
- Verify with Overprint Preview: Always enable Overprint Preview (View menu) to see how the final print will look before exporting.
- File setup: Create foil areas as a spot color named exactly "HP Foil" - CMYK colors use standard process colors.
File Setup
Digital Sleeking Foil Colors
Click any swatch to see a detailed sample. Our digital sleeking foil adheres to HP Indigo toner, enabling custom foil designs without costly engraved plates.
