The choice of paper stock may also affect the final foil appearance.

To mitigate dull foil stamps avoid choosing paper stocks such as 25 percent cotton, 100 percent cotton, vellum, laid stock or other porous papers.

The use of recycled stocks has become quite common, but there are some factors to consider. Due to high compression levels of recycled fiber, stamping large solid areas requires more applied pressure by the stamping press. Often a foil will not appear as mirror-like on fine lettering when detail is lost. In addition, due to the fibrous nature of these stocks, die life is shortened often resulting in loss of detail or additional cost.

Some colors and contrasts of high gloss pigments, translucent pastels and light foils may not be acceptable when applied to dark stocks. Check with your stamping supplier to achieve best results.

Because many pigment, pastel tint, and pearl foils are translucent, their color can be altered dramatically by the color of the underlying stock.