New ‘Scarab’, which reflects the iridescent colors of the eponymous beetle, and ‘Opal’, which takes its inspiration from the color effects seen in mineral gem stones, follow the launch of the optically variable foil (OVF) Peacock stamping foil in 2018.

The latest foils will feature as part of a select range of eye-catching color shifting effects from Fresnels Innovations, designed to improve recyclable packaging through the use of stamping foil technology instead of inks.

Achieving color-shifting effects on packaging can be challenging, but the ‘Scarab’ and ‘Opal’ provide packaging efficiency, value improvement and luxury product enhancement benefits.

Both are opaque foils but feature within their formulation either basic pigmentation (Scarab) or a reflective surface (Opal). Precision engineered to produce sophisticated optical elements; they deliver highly individual added value packaging effects, which provide a striking visual appeal designed to catch the eye of consumers in the retail environment.

Unlike color shifting inks, which only change when tilted relative to viewing light, the foils also alter color when rotated - when applied to curved surfaces, the full gamut of color changes can be seen at a single glance.

Developed for high speed machine application and available for either hot stamping or cold transfer applications, each foil can be applied quickly and easily without the requirement for registration equipment, saving time and costs in the process.

COO Dr Glenn Wood said the new products will add novelty to packaging applications: “We are achieving similar color changes to optically variable inks with our foils, thus providing branded packaging with customer engagement and visual effects previously found only on banknotes and other government security documents.”