Business Details
19 Years
experience
Premium Hot Foil Presses & Custom Printing Solutions
Established in 2007, Metallic Elephant is a family-owned business rooted in craftsmanship, engineering excellence, and a passion for traditional skills. Our founders, Ros and Karl French, combined decades of expertise in mechanical engineering and pre-press lithographic printing to create a company dedicated to producing high-quality hot foil machines and dies. With a team of skilled engineers and craftsmen, including family members like CNC operator Jack and Business Development Director Vincent, we maintain a personal yet professional approach to customer service. Our state-of-the-art factory in North Essex serves as the hub for designing, manufacturing, and supporting equipment used by global brands such as Ray Ban and Moleskine. We pride ourselves on being the only UK-based manufacturer that hand-builds hot foil machines to order, ensuring each product meets exacting standards of durability and performance. Our ISO 9001:2015 certification underscores our commitment to quality and continuous improvement. From the KSF Mini to bespoke pneumatic presses, our equipment is engineered to last and tailored to clients' specific needs. We offer comprehensive support, including test drives, spare parts, and expert advice, while maintaining a collaborative workshop culture that fosters innovation. Our dedication to British engineering and customer-centric values has earned us trust from hundreds of clients worldwide, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the hot foil printing industry.
Services
Hot Foil Presses
Hot Foil Dies
Letterpress Plates
Bespoke Presses
Reconditioned Presses
Stamping Foil
CNC Machining
Technical Support
Test Drives
Spare Parts
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- UK-made machinery engineered for longevity using premium materials
- 30+ years combined engineering expertise from industry veterans
- Custom-built machines tailored to specific production requirements
- Global support network serving clients on every continent
- ISO 9001-certified quality management system
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001:2015
What people say
Second to none product knowledge
Excellent after service
Personalised service
Premium brand image
Prompt communication
Services
Hot Foil Presses
Our precision-engineered hot foil presses combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Designed for luxury branding applications on materials ranging from leather to acrylic, these machines deliver consistent, high-quality impressions. Each press is hand-built in our UK factory using durable components, ensuring longevity and reliability for commercial production environments.
Hot Foil Dies
We produce custom hot foil dies using both traditional magnesium etching and precision CNC-machined brass techniques. Our dies ensure sharp, detailed impressions for branding applications on various substrates. Clients receive expert guidance to select the most suitable die type based on production volume, material requirements, and budget considerations.
Letterpress Plates
Our magnesium letterpress plates combine historical printing techniques with modern manufacturing standards. Available mounted or unmounted, these plates maintain crisp detailing for both fine and bold text applications. We offer rapid turnaround times for urgent orders while maintaining strict quality control standards.
Bespoke Presses
We design and build tailored hot foil presses to meet specific production requirements. Our engineering team works closely with clients to develop machines that address unique application challenges. This service includes custom modifications to existing models or entirely new press designs for specialised foiling needs.
Technical Support
Our ISO 9001-certified support team provides comprehensive assistance for all machinery and foiling processes. From troubleshooting equipment issues to advising on material selection, we offer free technical guidance. This includes on-site visits, remote diagnostics, and spare parts supply to maintain optimal machine performance.
People
Karl French
Co-founder & Chief Engineer
With over 30 years' experience in mechanical engineering, Karl leads our technical operations. His expertise in hot foil machine design stems from 20 years at John T Marshall Ltd, where he mastered the craft of precision engineering for printing applications.
Ros French
Co-founder
Ros brings extensive pre-press lithographic printing experience to our business. She ensures quality control across all production processes and maintains our commitment to exceptional service standards, leveraging her deep understanding of print technology and client requirements.
Jack French
CNC Operator
As Karl's nephew, Jack represents the next generation of engineering talent at Metallic Elephant. He manages our CNC machining operations with precision, applying his technical skills to produce complex components for our hot foil presses and dies.
Vincent
Business Development Director
Our first employee and Ros's brother-in-law, Vincent oversees business growth and client relations. He manages day-to-day operations while ensuring our expansion maintains the personal service standards that define our company ethos.
Ellie
Office Manager
This Miniature Schnauzer serves as our unofficial office manager, creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and staff alike. While not involved in technical operations, Ellie plays a vital role in maintaining our friendly workplace culture.
Questions
Do you offer test drives for your hot foil machines?
Yes, we encourage test drives at our Colchester facility. We'll demonstrate machine capabilities with your specific materials and provide hands-on experience with our equipment.
Can you produce custom hot foil dies?
We create bespoke dies using magnesium etching or CNC-machined brass techniques. Our team advises on optimal die selection based on your production volume and material requirements.
Are your machines suitable for small businesses?
Our range includes compact models like the KSF 1 Mini ideal for small-scale operations, alongside industrial presses for high-volume production, ensuring appropriate solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Do you provide international shipping?
We ship equipment worldwide, with machines currently operating in over 40 countries. Our team handles all export documentation and logistics arrangements for international orders.
What support options are available after purchase?
We offer comprehensive technical support including remote troubleshooting, on-site servicing, spare parts supply, and process advice. Our ISO-certified support team is available during standard business hours.
How do your prices compare to competitors?
While not the cheapest option, our UK-manufactured machines offer superior durability and performance. We focus on long-term value rather than short-term savings, with equipment designed to last decades.
Reviews (1)
Glenn Bartley
Jan 16, 2018
Report
The Renovated blocker has had good use and is superb we are really pleased with it and it is always commented on by visitors to the workshop.