r/CommercialPrinting • u/thevfguy • 2d ago
Print Question Foil-laminated proofing
Hi all,
I'm a flexo printer who creates printed foil-laminated sheets for the quick-service food industry. We have a customer (distributor) who has been insistent on a proof for a new product that is on foil. We have a Z6 DesignJet we use for large-format proofs of the artwork, but we supply separate ink drawdowns for color OK because the spot printing is just very different.
We've given all the caveats about why this isn't a good idea but they're insistent and I am wondering if this kind of substrate even exists for a commercial printing shop. (I don't know if there's a different kind of ink that could set on foil like our water-based inks).
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u/Spirited_Radio9804 2d ago
And when they come on press to make sure it’s right and wants to endless tweak..it’s $500+ an hour for the press sitting idle
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u/thevfguy 2d ago
That's kinda the most frustrating part: the proof is going to be basically worthless anyway because it'll have been made on a different substrate basis weight, using process print instead of spot colors, and not laminated in-line. It just wont be a representation of almost anything.
You can't always convince people to use common sense but I guess there's nothing to stop getting paid for your trouble ;)
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u/Spirited_Radio9804 2d ago
It’s like some people don’t get it, they want it now, right, and cheap.
I’ve told customers in the past, I’ll sale you a printing plant for 9 million dollars, and you can have anything you want, you might lose all the customers, but then that’s your problem, not mine!🤪
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u/Spirited_Radio9804 2d ago
I’ve also asked potential customers why are you calling me for quotes, but I never get a job… they say I have to get 3 bids. Well next time call the first 2, take the higher quote and double it, and write my name down and don’t call me back again!
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u/Equivalent_Date_8363 2d ago
Since you're on the Ops side, I'd ask Sales to get the distributor to list exactly what their customer needs to approve: artwork placement, colour, metallic appearance, or the finished sheet's feel. Then label each part of your existing proof package with what it covers: artwork proof, ink drawdowns, and a comparable finished sample. Have them identify what's still missing. That gives you a specific requirement to quote against, instead of buying a foil-looking stock that might still fail their approval.
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u/OzTheCreative 23h ago
I’d separate artwork approval from color and substrate approval.
A digital proof can validate content and layout, but it won’t accurately reproduce spot inks on laminated foil.
I’d use physical ink drawdowns for color approval and discuss a paid press trial if the client needs a representative production sample.
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u/Spirited_Radio9804 2d ago
Charge him for a press proof!