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Home / Craft News / Six Ways to Add Foil to Your Crafting Projects Without a Machine

Six Ways to Add Foil to Your Crafting Projects Without a Machine

January 26, 2015

I reported that at CHA 2015 foil accents one of the big trends– so the big question is, “how do I get foil on my projects?” Well, I’ve go a handy list of ways right here for you.

Six ways to add foiling to your papercrafts without a machine!

First, a word on foils!

We are specifically talking about mylar-backed foils or transfer foils for these techniques. We are not using metal leafing or flakes. If you need a refresher, take a look at my post about Metal Leafing, Foils, and Flakes.

I’m going to cover each area- but if you’d rather, just scroll down to the bottom to watch the video.

Links below are handy affiliate links for shopping, and buy purchasing through them you help keep the lights (and camera) on at CraftTestDummies. Thank you! 

Rubber Cement

This technique is courtesy of Julie Fei-Fan Balzer… rubber cement! I had totally forgotten about the joys of rubber cement, but Julie’s brilliant video reminds us that it’s SO easy to use it with our favorite stencils.

Tutorial by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer! Click the photo to see the full post.

Tutorial by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer! Click the photo to see the full post.

Did you know that Elmer’s No-Wrinkle Rubber Cement is an acid-free/photo safe rubber cement? It’s come a long way since I was in yearbook!

Dry Adhesives

Dry Adhesives

Dry Adhesives

You probably already have some dry adhesives laying around- sticky dots, a tape runner, maybe even a Xyron machine? Well, those are all really great ways to add foil to your projects!

It’s easy – just apply the dry adhesive to your paper, then place the foil colored-side-up, and burnish with a bone folder.

Add foil to your project using dry adhesives.

In the sample above, I used the Xyron to foil the “love” and hexi. (Just make sure you run it through upside-down, so you apply the adhesive to the TOP- then foil away. Or you could apply the adhesive to an entire piece of paper and then die cut or punch it. For the bottom samples, I used a Dot Matrix Tape Runner by Xyron, Glue Dots (Zots) , Scor-Tape
and a Tape Runner.

Double-sided stickers in cool designs.

Double-sided stickers in cool designs.

There are also companies making shaped stickers that you apply almost like rub-ons- and they are specifically designed for foiling. Take a look at Clearsnap Design Adhesives for some ideas!

Heat And Stick Embossing Powder

Heat and Stick Powder

Heat and Stick Powder

For those of us who love to stamp, this is the best way to get foiled stamped images. First, you’ll need to stamp your image with a good embossing ink- Versamark is one of my favorites- and then sprinkle on the Heat And Stick Power on immediately. Heat it up with a gun until the glue melts, then pop on the foil while it’s still warm. Burnish with a bone folder and poof! Foiled cards!

I’m working on a comparison of Heat And Stick Powders, but you can easily find versions by Judikins (Sticky Stuff) , Ranger , and Stampin’ UP.

Foil (Sticky Drying) Adhesive

This seems like a no-brainer-it’s meant for foiling, right? Well, usually foil adhesive is for metal LEAFING. But that’s OK, we can use it too. It’s a thick adhesive that dries VERY sticky when it “dries”- so it will grab the foil.

Foiling Adhesives stay sticky when "dry."

Foiling Adhesives stay sticky when “dry.”

You can stamp with them if you are careful, and you can also coat sheets of cardstock as well. (Don’t use then paper, it will curl.) The three brands I tried were DecoArts Renaissance Foil Adhesive, Scraperfect Best Glue Ever, and (my favorite) Coat N Create Surface Makeover Glue. It’s got the most aggressive adhesion by far. Make sure you read my review of that, as well.

Glue Pen

I’ve done a whole comparison of Glue Pens, and by far the best result of that round of testing is realizing that some pens dry sticky! Yes, the convenience of a sticky glue in a ball-point pen.

Add foil to your paper crafts

To apply, just write what you want (or outline a stamped image, maybe?) with the glue pen, then wait for it to dry clear. Rub on the foils and you are good to go! And I love this Zig Memory System 2-Way Squeeze and Roll Glue Pen so much, it’s one I recommend for…well… everything.

Foam Stickers

I’m not sure this even counts as a separate thing, but there are SO many foamie stickers and sheets right now…and all are great for foiling!

ways to add foil to your papercrafts

You can use the cheap-o foamies, your use double-sided foam shapes like these ones from Scrapbook Adhesives. There are so many fun shapes (like these hearts) and it will add some extra dimension to your papercrafts as well!

Here’s that video I promised….

 

I hope you’ve found this helpful- and we didn’t even discuss ways to add foil with heat or an iron! Maybe we’ll do that another day. I’d love any other product suggestions or comments/questions you might have.

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Posted in Craft News | 12 Comments

Comments

  1. Gela says

    January 26, 2015 at 21:35

    Brilliant!! Who needs a $150 Mink?! Great ideas.

  2. Debbie says

    January 26, 2015 at 21:40

    Love this! Thanks again for reminding me about foiling!

  3. Judy says

    January 26, 2015 at 23:41

    Did you by chance also try that Glue Pad? That’s sort of like re-inking a color ink pad, but instead of ink, it’s glue. I haven’t tried it yet, but that seems promising as well.
    Thanks for all you do on our behalf!

  4. Fancylooks says

    January 27, 2015 at 04:51

    What an excellent lot of ideas, this is very interesting. I have played with foils but not used it recently, need to dig in my drawer to find those old foils and think of new ideas using your suggestions.

  5. barb macaskill says

    January 27, 2015 at 11:53

    All awesome techniques! Thanks for refreshing my memory on them. I even remember that I have some of the Kool Tac foils when I saw the picture! LOL Thanks for helping me remember that I have it and where it is!! Getting it out to play with later!
    I won the entire line of DecoFoils from ThermOWeb and their laminator from a CHA giveaway and am ANXIOUSLY awaiting it’s arrival! Till then I am going to play around with these ideas!
    THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Have a great day!

  6. Rebecca Bodine says

    January 27, 2015 at 13:05

    The one that WISH something, what kind of adhesive did you use? And for the flakes, what type of adhesive?

    thank you
    Becky

  7. Jenny says

    January 27, 2015 at 13:21

    Becky- I’m guessing your are referring the the “Make A Wish” sentiment in the comparison of foils, leafing and flakes post, right? Those are metal leaf flakes. Not sure which I used, it was so long ago…either the sticky glue or more likely the heat and stick powder.

  8. lynn says

    January 27, 2015 at 17:37

    Pretty sure this works on polymer clay, too. YaY!

  9. Lynda says

    January 29, 2015 at 10:47

    Great video as always! When I had a graphic design biz in the 90s I would send thank you cards to my clients that were made using a little machine and foil. I know I still have that machine and foil. I just didn’t have the heart to get rid of it. Think I need to dig it outp and blog about it now that foil is so in. Thanks.

  10. Patricia says

    September 26, 2015 at 03:16

    Hiya ive acheived some fab foiling results with pva, i think the principle is that it gets sticky as it heats so grabs the foil, anyway, ive stamped with it, decorated fabric, acetate……….and so on

  11. Stamping jan says

    July 15, 2016 at 20:10

    Great article and videos. Plan to use for demo to my two craft clubs. I have machine but most do not.
    Always fun to do new techniques…

  12. Angela Boxwell says

    January 29, 2020 at 16:31

    Thank you, just got a small foiling pack and wanted to see the options on how to use it.

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Hi! I’m Jenny, the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS and the Head Dummy behind CraftTestDummies.com where you’ll find craft product reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news.

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Jenny Barnett Rohrs is Head Dummy and Pied Piper behind CTD, which focuses on reviews, tutorials, and craft industry news. Jenny has appeared on HSN, Scrapbook Soup PBS series, and is currently the co-host of Hands On Crafts for Kids on PBS.

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