Foiling your artwork can take a pretty design to an entirely new level with a few simple steps. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use basic supplies to adhere foil to any design of your choosing, even those with intricate detailing.
Supplies
For this project, you only need a couple of supplies, but they may not be things you just have laying around the house. What you’ll need are:
- Cardstock – I use 110 lb & have found that it’s a good compromise between too thin (almost regular paper) & too thick (hard to heat with the laminator)
- Heat-activated foil – also known as heat transfer foil, this foil is specifically made to adhere to ink when it’s heated
- A laminator – Any laminator should work for the purposes of this project
- A laser printer – I use this very economical Brother laser printer – if you do not have a laser printer, you can print your designs at your local library (with their laser printer) or use a printing service such as OfficeDepot
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The Basics
A laser printer bonds toner to paper by “melting” the toner as the image is printer. In the same manner, heat transfer foil is a thin metallic layer that adheres to that same “melted” toner when heated. To create a foiled design, you melt the toner onto your paper (aka – print your design) & then subsequently re-melt the toner by passing the design through a laminator, which heats it up, with heat reactive foil on top that adheres to the melted toner.
Instructions
To create a beautiful, foiled design, do the following:
- Choose a design from your computer and print it using a laser printer onto paper (I use cardstock for professionalism & stability).
- Lay heat-activated foil on top of the design foil (color) side up covering all portions of the ink.
- Run the printer paper with the foil through a laminator to heat it up.
Pro Tip: Place a sheet of regular printer paper over the top of the foil & design. This will help keep the foil in place as it’s traversing through the laminator.
Pro Tip: Ensure your laminator is on its highest heat setting to get the best foil adherence
Pro Tip: Send your design through the laminator two or three times to ensure adequate heating & good adherence of your foil. This will limit “crackle” in your foil. - Remove the excess foil by peeling the sheet away.
- Admire your design!
The possibilities for foiling are endless & every single piece will come out more beautiful than the last. So get out there & get foiling! I would love to see any projects you tackle, so be sure to tag @bysabrinamarie on Instagram in anything you make!