Hot Foil Stamping (leathers & cardstock)
Foil Imprinting (Hot Stamping) on Frames, Folders & Leather
Add names, monograms, logos, or short messages with heat-and-pressure foil stamping. This guide covers artwork requirements, foil colors, dies/plates, and how hot stamping works.
What is foil imprinting?
Foil imprinting—also called hot stamping—combines heat and pressure using an etched magnesium plate (metal die) and colored foil film. The process bonds a thin metallic or pigmented foil layer into porous materials such as cardstock folders, leather, and some fabric-wrapped pieces for a crisp, permanent mark.
Artwork requirements
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Black & white only: solid shapes/lines (no grayscale).
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Avoid fine hairlines, gradients, drop shadows, textures, or halftones.
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Minimum resolution: 300 dpi for raster files at final size.
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Accepted formats: .psd, .jpg/.jpeg, .tif/.tiff, .eps.
Need help preparing art? Our graphics team can assist. Extensive cleanup may require an art-prep charge.
Foil stamping plate (die)
After artwork and layout are approved, we etch a magnesium plate (metal die) for your imprint. New orders incur a new plate plus machine set-up fee. We keep plates on file for one calendar year; repeat orders within that year are charged only the machine set-up fee.
Foil film colors
Foil comes on large rolls and transfers under heat. Popular options include:
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Metallic (mirror): silver, gold, blue, red, green, copper, purple, teal.
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Non-metallic (pigmented): black, orange, reflex blue.
Ask about availability if you need a color not listed.
How hot stamping works
The foil film is positioned between the heated die and your product on a specialized press. When the die presses, heat and pressure transfer a thin foil layer from the roll to the surface—creating a sharp, durable imprint.
Ordering notes & turnaround
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On eligible items, look for Personalization Options on the product page.
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Add to cart, then click the orange PERSONALIZE button to open the worksheet.
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Your cart shows the actual ship time for your order. Depending on time of day and workload, many hot-stamped orders ship the same day.
Proofs, placement & policy
Indicate preferred font and placement; we do not provide proofs before production. For the best visual balance on each material, our art department has final discretion on size and placement. Personalized items are not returnable. If we make a spelling/placement error or an item arrives damaged/defective, we will replace it promptly after review.
Questions about artwork or color? Ask us in LIVE CHAT.
Top left: etched magnesium plate. Right: finished folder with gold foil. Bottom left: metallic gold foil rolls ready for hot stamping.
Foil Imprinting / Hot Stamping — FAQs
What artwork do you need for foil stamping?
Black-and-white art only (no grayscale). Avoid fine hairlines, gradients, drop shadows, or textures. Minimum 300 dpi at final size. Accepted formats: .psd, .jpg/.jpeg, .tif/.tiff, .eps.
Do you keep my stamping plate on file?
Yes. We keep magnesium plates on file for one calendar year. Reorders within that year are charged only the machine set-up fee.
Which foil colors are available?
Metallic (mirror): silver, gold, blue, red, green, copper, purple, teal. Non-metallic: black, orange, reflex blue. Ask if you need a different color.
Can I see a proof before you stamp?
No proofs are issued. You can request font and placement; our art department finalizes size/position for the best result on the material.
Are personalized items returnable?
No. Personalized items are not returnable. If we make an error or your item arrives damaged, we will replace it promptly.
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Custom Art and Logo Work for leathers, cloth & paper
Custom Logo Embossing on Leather, Cloth & Paper Frames and Albums
We do beautiful custom embossing on leather, cloth, and paper frames & albums. We create a one-time die from your artwork and apply your mark with precision. Maximum die imprint area is up to 3″ in one direction and 1¼″ in the other (e.g., square logos up to 1¼″ × 1¼″).
What We Emboss
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Leather frames & photo albums
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Cloth / fabric-covered frames & albums
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Paper frames & albums
Die Size Limits
Max imprint area:
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Up to 3″ (76.2 mm) on one side
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Up to 1¼″ (31.75 mm) on the other side
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Square logos: up to 1¼″ × 1¼″
How to Order (Quick)
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Select the item(s) you want and add to cart.
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In the cart, click the Personalize This Item link.
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Complete the Personalizing Worksheet.
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Choose “Custom Graphic” and upload your artwork image.
Personalize in Cart
Artwork Tips
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Provide the cleanest version you have; vector files (if available) reproduce detail best.
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High-contrast, single-position marks work well at small sizes.
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We’ll size your art within the stated imprint limits.
Pricing
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There is a one-time charge to make the die from your art.
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Any applicable setup appears during the personalization flow in your cart.
Policies & Cancellations
Because each piece is custom:
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Orders cancelled after 24 hours: minimum 25% “kill” fee plus any proof costs.
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Orders beyond 24 hours of proof approval: minimum 75% “kill” fee.
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Orders assigned tracking numbers—or assigned within 24 business hours (M–F)—are not eligible for return or refund (dry/cure time may delay packing).
Thank you for your understanding.
Custom die embossing adds a subtle, premium mark to frames & albums.
How to Request Custom Embossing (Step-by-Step)
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Select the frame or album you want to personalize and place it in your online cart.
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In your cart, click the Personalize This Item link on that product line.
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Complete the Personalizing Worksheet with your details.
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Select “Custom Graphic” and upload your artwork image.
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Submit your order. We’ll create the die from your art and emboss your item within the specified size limits.
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Glass & cut-crystal etching
SendAFrame can etch on most of our crystal and glass frames. Only pieces marked as engraveable can be personalized. Simple lettering is done machine-assisted while longer text and logo work is created by hand. All engraving is done by artisans with great experience and a history of beautiful work.
The charge for the first 16 characters is $25.00; additional characters are 85¢ each. Each additional item of the same style and same etching will receive a 30% savings.
Our work-lead time is currently 5 business days for glass & crystal etched pieces to be shipped.
Our website will calculate your the cost of your engraved text. Please place your selected items into your shopping cart and click on "Engrave this frame" under the item description.
Thousands of corporations and gift givers have enjoyed our custom engraving services. Our superior quality and cost-conscious department strives to exceed your expectations. Please permit us to quote on your project. Email engraving@sendaframe.com (if not clickable, please copy/paste into your email program) describing your project specifics. We can usually be back to you within 1 hour with further information.
Please email our service department for information more specific to your needs. As this is handwork, anything is possible. Be sure to include the item # of the piece you are interested in having engraved, what you would like done (logo, initials, sayings, etc.), and the quantity you desire.
If it is logo type work you require, we will need the artwork to be supplied digitally as an .eps or .jpg type file (preferred).
We can usually respond to you with a complete quote in 1 hour or less.
Sorry, due to the nature of personalized items, etched crystal pieces are not returnable for refund, credit or exchange. Please check your order request carefully and describe any special instructions in detail. We will make every effort to accommodate you. Damaged or spelling error pieces will cheerfully be replaced with similar piece(s) upon return
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Engraved Metal Plates
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Personalized Orders: Change and Cancellation Policy
Personalized Order Policy
Important: Due to the custom nature of personalized items, all sales are final. Customized pieces cannot be returned for refund, credit, or exchange under any circumstances.
Before You Submit Your Order
Please review your order carefully, including:
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Placement/orientation of the personalization
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Exact wording and spelling of your text
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Any special instructions (describe in detail)
We will make every effort to follow your instructions. If there’s any chance of misunderstanding instructions provided outside standard website fields, the decision of our Graphic Art Department is final.
Proofs & Changes
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Minor changes in response to proofs: No surcharge.
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Major changes or revisions may incur a minimum 15% change-order fee, with additional costs depending on the work required.
Examples of major changes include:
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Replacing artwork/graphic files by more than 75%
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Complete change of personalization location (“zone”)
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Color changes that require exact color matching
Cancellations
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Orders not yet in final production can be cancelled within 3 hours of order confirmation without penalty.
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After 3 hours, a 30% cancellation fee (of the personalization cost) applies for prep and handling.
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Orders assigned a shipping tracking number are considered completed and cannot be changed or cancelled.
Note: A tracking number may be assigned up to 24 business hours (Mon–Fri) before shipping, due to drying/cure time in personalization processes. Items may be completed but not yet packed; once completed, personalized items cannot be changed or cancelled.
Errors in Personalization
If there is an error in personalization, we will cheerfully replace the item(s) with the same or similar piece upon proof of error or an authorized return.
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Rush requests
Rush / Expedited Service
We always strive to exceed your expectations with custom work. From time to time, deadlines make it necessary to give an order extra attention. Many customers ask if there’s a way to speed things up.
On any metal, wood, or leather piece, we can provide a guaranteed “rush” expedited service that shortens delivery time by at least 40%.
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Example: an 8-day order becomes approximately 4 days.
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The surcharge for this service will be shown in your cart.
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This fee goes directly to our engravers, who work after hours to complete your order in about half the usual time.
Helpful Planning Tips
We encourage you to plan ahead whenever possible—especially during the holidays—since this extra cost is never something we’re happy to charge. Our goal is for you to always think of us as your most affordable source for beautiful gifts.
That said, please don’t hesitate to reach out with your request. If we’re not especially busy, we may be able to offer expedited service at a reduced or special rate.
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