Typical surface characteristics of aluminium foil uniformly explained

To help packaging manufacturers and other end users understand the different visual characteristics which may occur on the surface of the aluminium foil they receive for printing, laminating and converting, the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) has created an illustrated catalogue explaining these.

The catalogue lists typical surface characteristics which may occur on finished rolls of aluminium foil. These include scratches, spots, stains, gloss differences and roll marks. Others such as stripes and stains have been sub-divided to show different types of these respective characteristics.

Each characteristic is clearly illustrated and accompanied by an explanation of the possible root causes. The catalogue is intended to help foil rollers and their customers to communicate "in a common language", since quite frequently there is a problem when the parties involved have a different understanding of the terms used to describe these characteristics. This publication, which is available online and can be downloaded, should help both sides to identify the respective surface detail in the same way and thus be able to talk about the same phenomenon.

These terms are available in English, German, Italian, Spanish and French.

EAFA’s Surface Characteristics of Aluminium Foil catalogue is available at surface.alufoil.org