"Metallic doming" refers to a new and unique effect in narrow web label printing: a metallic, mirror-like, raised structure created by a relief produced in rotary screen printing. What is so unique about metallic doming? Quite simply, it is a permanent metallic relief effect on paper or plastic film, such as tube laminates or transparent self-adhesive material.
With "metallic doming," the print image is applied using rotary screen printing. A metallic foil is then laminated over the relief. What makes this special is that it allows print images with permanent metallic reliefs to be produced on plastic—the only process on the label market to date that allows plastic to be given an embossed effect. This is because, apart from hot foil embossing without a permanent relief effect, plastic cannot be embossed like other materials. "Metallic doming" closes this technological gap in the application field.
In "metallic doming," a thermoreactive adhesive is applied using screen printing, e.g., with Gallus Screeny DY, and then dried with UV rays. The applied print image is then laminated with a thermoactive metallic film. The film is pressed onto the adhesive with a soft, heated laminating cylinder. It wraps around the applied adhesive and is heated at the same time as the applied adhesive by the laminating cylinder. The adhesive is reactivated during this "laminating process" and the foil is activated. The thermal activation causes the foil to adhere to the adhesive. The print image then cools down, revealing a metallic relief effect – the "metallic doming effect."
