Hot foiling is another technique to add foil to projects. It requires the use of specialized plates and a heating platform that not only presses foil into your project, but creates a nice embossed appearance as well.
Tools
Requiring a bit more equipment than other types of foiling, Hot Foiling requires specialized Hot Foil Plates and a heating platform for said plates. A traditional die cutting machine is also required, as applied pressure from the machines are required for the foil transfer and embossing.
My equipment consists of Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil platform and a Big Shot Die Cutting Machine. There are other options on the market, but I’ve only used the above mentioned tools, so that is all I will be covering in today’s post. I have been pleased with both machines mentioned, and happily recommend both to those who may be in the market to purchase one.
Specialized foil is required for Hot Foil applications. Transfer sheets from Deco Foil will not work for Hot Foiling. I use Spellbinders Hot Foil and obtain great results.
How To
In a nutshel, to use a Hot Foil system, you begin by preheating your platform. The Glimmer Hot Foil system comes equipped with a Ready light that glows green when the machine has approached optimal heat.
While waiting, prep foil by cutting down to just larger than foil plate. This is not required, but does cut down on over foiling (foiling more area than what the plate touches).
When the green light indicating the platform is ready, place a foiling plate face up directly on the platform and tap the timer button. When timer is finished (light stops blinking) you are ready to continue.
Layer foil with color side down directly on top of the hot plate. Next, layer cardstock (or other medium) right on top. Finally, top with the shims (the manual has a handy chart for which shims are required for which materials).
Gently slide the platform off the base and run slowly through a die cutting machine. Remove the foil and plates, and a beautiful foiled piece remains.
Applications
Hot Foiling creates foiled and embossed images. Plates are available in many sizes (from background images to small sentiments) and some sets even come with die cutting plates so foiled images can be used as die cut additions to projects.
Hot foiling can also be layered over stamped images to great effect. The below card uses a Hot Foiled sentiment framed and Hot Foiling layered over a stamped image.
Both foiling using a laminator and a Hot Foiling system are used in my craft room. I am careful to keep my supplies (foils especially, they appear very similar) in separately labeled containers. I like the versatility of both systems, and find both methods easy enough to use.
Recommendations
For someone new to foiling, I recommend starting with laminator foiling as the startup costs are lower. They do not required specialized plates, the a laminator can be purchased for under $30.
If you want more professional looking foiling, or really want the embossed look, I would recommend looking into a Hot Foil system more.
Have you used a Hot Foil system before? What have been your successes? Your trials?
