Foil Postcard Printing

Get ready to glitter. Your company name will be unforgettable on a foil postcard. Perfect for party and holiday events, foil postcards are also ideal for any business that wants a fun, fashionable image. Foil makes any design stand out. We can print foil accents in every color imaginable, including silver, gold, rose gold, blue, pink, red, aqua and white. Did we say glitter? Yes, we said glitter foil in a range of colors. Take your pick, and we will make it happen.

Graphic Design Service

If you want to make the most of your foil postcards, consider new branding. As a full-service design and printing agency, we can help with graphics and layout. Our talented, experienced graphic artists can design a new logo, pick colors and create an amazing-looking postcard for you. Direct mail postcard printing is all about standing out, and that’s where we shine.

Available Foil Postcard Paper or Stock

12pt C2S Cardstock

Available Coatings:

(Not available on all paper or stock)
High Gloss UV
High Gloss UV on ONE SIDE
None

Options Available for Foil Postcards

Corner Rounding
Digital Proof
Foil with Lamination

We do tons of foil postcard printing, and we have streamlined the process to make it as easy as possible. Just download the foil postcard template for the size and application format you need, create your artwork, and upload your design to print.

Foil Postcard Specifications

If you are doing a custom size or do not see a template in the application you are using, please be sure to use the following specifications to design your foil postcard.

How to Save Your Files for Foil Printing

Foil printing requires two separate files — one for the full CMYK print and one that tells our equipment exactly where to apply the foil. Setting up these files correctly is critical to achieving clean, accurate foil placement.

File Setup Checklist

Resolution: 300 dpi
Bleed: 1/8" (0.125") on all sides on both files
Color Mode: CMYK for the artwork file — black and white only for the foil file
File Format: PDF with fonts embedded or outlined
Files Required: Two separate files — an artwork file and a foil placement file

The Two-File Requirement

File 1 — Artwork File (CMYK)

Your complete design, including all background colors, images, and text. Do not remove, knock out, or cut a hole in the background where the foil will be applied. The CMYK artwork prints first, and the foil is applied on top of it. Your background must be continuous and complete underneath the foil area.

File 2 — Foil Placement File

A separate file the same size and bleed as the artwork file. This file contains only the foil elements:
• Areas where foil should be applied: 100% black (K=100, C=0, M=0, Y=0)
• All other areas: white (do not leave transparent)
• No gray values, no CMYK color, no gradients — foil placement must be solid 100% black only
• Both files must be the exact same document size, with elements in the exact same position

The Most Common Mistake

Most designers assume the CMYK artwork file should have a knocked-out (empty) area where the foil goes — the same approach used for die cuts or spot UV on some other systems. Do not do this with M13 foil products. Leave your background artwork intact and complete underneath the foil area. The foil lays on top of the printed CMYK layer, not into a gap in it. Knocking out the background will result in foil sitting on white paper rather than your intended background color.

Important Notes

• Both files must be identical in document size and element placement — misalignment between the two files will cause the foil to land in the wrong position
• Use only solid 100% black for foil areas — no gradients, no tints, no rich black
• Avoid extremely fine lines, very small text, or intricate detail in the foil placement file — fine elements may not foil cleanly
• Embed or outline all fonts in both files
• Select your foil color in the price calculator when you order

How to Export Your Files

Illustrator (Recommended)

Artwork file:
Hide the foil placement layer
File > Save As > Adobe PDF
Select preset: Press Quality
Bleed: .125"
Click Save

Foil file:
Show only the foil placement layer (all elements 100% black on a white background)
File > Save As > Adobe PDF
Select preset: Press Quality
Bleed: .125"
Click Save

InDesign

Artwork file:
Hide the foil layer
File > Export > Adobe PDF (Print)
Select preset: Press Quality
Bleed: .125"
Click Export

Foil file:
Show only the foil layer
Export as a separate PDF using the same settings

Why This Matters

Foil is applied as a second pass over the printed sheet. The foil placement file acts as a precise map for where the foil lands. Errors in either file — a knocked-out background, misaligned placement, or gray values in the foil file — cannot be corrected after printing and will require the order to be reprinted. If you are unsure about your foil file setup, call us at 877-613-1913 before uploading.

Foil Postcard Template Download

Using our foil postcard template is simple. Just download the size and application format you need, create your artwork, and upload your design to print.