Jargon buster

Welcome to our engineering jargon buster which we hope you will find of use.

Hot foil printing.

It is the process of transferring coloured or metallic foil from a cellophane carrier on to a substrate by contact with a heated die.

 

Gold blocking/Foil blocking

The process described above but on to a paper or board substrate.

 

Die

A bespoke design engraved on to a block of brass, steel, tool steel or silicone rubber mounted on metal for hot foil printing.

 

Typeholder

A block of brass or steel machined to suit a particular machine with one or more slots to accept type and wordblocks. Also known as a chase.

 

Die chase

A bespoke design engraved on to a block of brass, steel or tool steel and incorporating slot(s) to accept interchangeable type and wordblocks.

 

Type

An accurately machined block of brass, hardened steel or tool steel with a single character engraved upon it. May be combined with other pieces of type in the slot of a typeholder or die chase.

 

Wordblock

An accurately machined block of brass, hardened steel or tool steel with more than one character engraved upon it. May be used with type in the slot of a typeholder or die chase. Also known as a fitter, slug or an insert.

 

Databox

Engraved brass or hardened steel wheels held into a metal frame for mounting into an automatic hot foil coding machine. The patented mechanism is designed for prolonged operation at high temperatures and the wheels are manually changed as required.

 

Cutter

Engraved in hardened steel and sharpened to a knife edge to cut out various bespoke shapes such a coasters and place mats.

 

Holographic effect

The process of hot foil printing a visually embossed design on to a hard substrate using a bespoke Bowers and Freeman die. (Patent applied for).

 

If you would like us to add any terms or have any queries, please call us on + 44 (0)116 278 5311 or email us at info@bowersfreeman.com