Foiling
Foiling has become increasingly popular, and it’s important to know which foiling method your crafter is using (or wants to use). Technically, both use heat, but in wildly different ways, and you need a different type of foil for each. At the end of this blog post you will find 2 videos that walk you through each. Honestly, the easiest way to find out which type your crafter uses/wants is to ask if they use hot foil plates or toner sheets.
Hot Foiling requires a specialty heating pad and manual die-cutting machine. Some examples are the Spellbinders Glimmer system and the Couture Creations Go Press & Foil machine. You also need hot foil plates or press plates to create your design, and specialty foil, like Spellbinders Glimmer foil.
Toner Foiling requires a laminator or similar machine (like the Heidi Swapp Minc, or Gina K Fuse). You also need transfer foil, and a design that has been printed with toner ink. You can design and print them yourself with a laser printer or copier, or purchase pre-printed panels. Whimsy Stamps and Deco Foil make toner panels, and Gina K has Poly-Glaze foiling sheet packs.
Some great companies are creating amazing foiling systems and products, like Spellbinders, Gina K Designs, Altenew, Deco Foil, Lawn Fawn, Honey Bee Stamps, Whimsy Stamps, Hero Arts & Tonic.
Whichever system you’re using, there is always a bit of trial and error. A nice smooth cardstock will help you get a good result, and it’s a good idea to do a little research to see what others are using successfully. Hot foiling has more toys, but toner foiling is more affordable and accessible.
Check the blog tomorrow for my fifth crafty gift suggestion.
