FRIP installs Eagle hot foil system

Graphic Art Systems, a US-based developer and manufacturer of foil enhancement equipment, has completed the installation of an Eagle hot foil system at the UK’s FRIP Finishing.

FRIP Finishing was founded in 1970 as a provider of hot foil stamping and embossing services, and primarily serviced the luxury packaging requirements of the Scottish whisky industry. It has grown to become an industry leader in all types of decorative print finishing operating out of six sites in the UK.

The hot Foil modules of Eagle systems have been engineered and designed taking into consideration user requirements and the latest available technology. As such, Eagle hot foil systems include: a high-speed, modern and efficient drive system; high-capacity heating system; rail removal system; foil rewind system; and the ability to be retrofitted to Bobst Autoplaten die-cutting units.

They can also run unlimited multiple narrow webs of the same size or different sizes, or one large web depending on the job, and can be retrofitted to new or existing 40-63in-wide sheet-fed offset presses from major press manufacturers.

The Eagle hot foil stamping installed at FRIP Finishing includes a two-draw system, rather than the typical three-draw configuration, which FRIP said has increased its productivity by 30 percent via the amount of foil pulled through the press. The system also allows maximum foil usage at lengths up to 7,500 linear feet, meaning operators at FRIP Finishing are gaining about 90 minutes of productivity every shift by not having to change foil as often.

The installation was completed in May to keep up with growing demand for large format systems from the packaging market.

FRIP Group managing director Leslie Gibson said: ‘Over the past year, we have seen significant new demand for our largest sheet size and this has driven us to make investments that provide us with greater flexibility in meeting our customers’ needs.

‘As our customers, predominately major packaging houses, move towards larger formats, we‘re matching their needs by installing larger format solutions.’

He added: ‘Eagle understands that hot foil stamping continues to be demanded worldwide for decorative foil solutions; it is by no means dying or being replaced by cold foil solutions. They are complementary with each other and both have their place in meeting the needs of the marketplace.

‘Together, both hot and cold foils are growing the use of decorative foils within the market. Our hot foil is predominant in the UK, as our market size dynamics and substrates does not lend itself towards cold foil; our market is more of uncoated stocks and different market places then the cold foil markets.’

Pictured (from left): Mike King, president of Graphic Art Systems; Ian Hadfield, foiling manager at FRIP Finishing; and Leslie Gibson, FRIP Group managing director

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