Digital printing FASTfoil® decor foils

Under the registered trademark FASTfoil^®, we develop, manufacture and distribute decor foils, especially for foil and short stroke keyboards.

This kind of decor foils is usually manufactured by printing on the back side in screen process technique.

In contrast, the foils in FASTfoil^®-technique are imprinted on the back side in digital printing.

What does the name FASTfoil^® stand for? Two aspects are in combined in one word:

FAST:

stands for the quickness with which these foils can be manufactured based on digital printing.

foil:

they are foils, ideally the same polyester foils that are used in foil keyboards and that therefore have a very high chemical resistance.

The main difference consists in a special primer layer on the back side which helps to achieve a good colour adhesion of the toners.

FASTfoil®-decor foils Here you will find some examples of FASTfoil® decor foils:

In the following, we will oppose the advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques from our point of view:

DIGITAL PRINTING FASTfoil^®:

Advantages

available on short call
reduced one off costs (no films/screens)
design freedom to a large extent (grids, run...)
for small lots, piece prices are low also with changing designs

Disadvantages

suboptimal optics (pixels of the digital printing visible)
coloured areas not luscious and not free of streaks, e.g. black areas)
limited reproducibility
limited weather-/ultraviolet resistance
no experience values for long terms existing
for medium and large lots, this technique is more expensive than screen process
limited embossing possibilities
clear windows have to be manufactured in screen process technique

SCREEN PROCESS:

Advantages

very good optics, luscious colours also with surface printing, no pixels are visible
good reproducibility
proven, fully developped technique, long term experience existing
goog or very good weather-/ultraviolet resistance
low piece price with medium and large lots

Disadvantages

slightly limited design freedom (pictures, photos, grid runs)
higher one off costs (films, screens, CAD-/film setting costs)
more know-how and machinery required

The FASTfoil®-technique has proven of value especially to facilitate design decisions or to manufacture prototypes which are almost ready to start of production. One of the advantages is the reduction of one off costs if the FASTfoil^®-parts can be led over to series production and this one is carried out in screen process technique, as e.g. tools/devices/programmes for cutting can be transferred.

Moreover, it is possible to imprint decor foils in 4-colour-screen printing.
Here you will find some examples:

However enthusiastic you might be for the quickness with which our FASTfoil^®-decor foils can be produced, please keep in mind that we are able to manufacture both screen process decor foils and complete foil keyboards in express service.

Give us your specifications! We offer you advice to make the best decision for your project.