Video: Foil + Stamping + GIVEAWAY (Jennifer McGuire Ink)

Hello. Today’s video shows how to add foil to your stamping. This technique? It is spectacular… and can be done with a product you likely already have!

(All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click

HERE.)

If you have stopped by my blog recently, you know that I am loving all the fun foiling products out there. I have shared many techniques (see my videos HERE and HERE), but was not thrilled with the results I was getting with foil and stamping. So I experimented – A LOT – and finally found something I was happy with and am excited to share it with you. However, keep in mind that this technique is one that takes practice and experimenting. It is not a “perfect” technique but it works for me 9 out of 10 times.

And what is the secret to getting good foiling with stamps? Embossing powder! It’s that simple. I started by heat embossing the Tim Holtz Flower Garden stamp and Clearly Besotted sentiment with Ranger’s Super Fine White Embossing Powder. (It’s important to prep the area first with an anti-static tool because the foil will stick to any stray embossing powder.) After the heat embossing was finished, I laid pieces of Deco Foil on top and ran it through my laminator. I did not use a carrier sheet (folded typing paper) to send it through. However, you can use a carrier sheet to achieve a less intense look.

I created the backgrounds of the cards by clear heat embossing the Botanical Sketch stamp by Tim Holtz on colored cardstock. I chose clear embossing powder so that if there was an area that didn’t foil, the clear would be less noticeable than the white. Again, I sent it through my laminator with foil on top.

I hope you give this technique a try. I must warn you though… it’s addicting!

TIPS & TRICKS

So I learned a few tips and tricks while experimenting with this technique and I wanted to share them here:

I am sure every laminator is different, so you may have to experiment with what you have. My inexpensive one worked great.
Let your laminator get very hot before using it. I let mine heat up for 20 minutes.
Try these techniques at your own risk. I had no problem running the cardstock and foil through with no carrier sheet and I tried it many times. If you are concerned about the foil getting stuck in the laminator, you can try sending the cardstock and foil through with a piece of typing paper on top. Regardless – be sure your foil covers all of the heat embossing!
I am sure the cardstock used makes a difference. I used 80lb Neenah white and the background pieces are a similar weight. If one cardstock doesn’t work for you, try another.
I found the super fine powders worked best for me. The sticky powders worked ok.
You can try this with an iron, too. Just place your foil on top of the heat embossed image, then a piece of typing paper, and add the heat. You will have to play around with a heat setting.
I liked the results of this technique best when I used outline images.
Don’t expect prefect results with this technique!
Take time to play! This is a fun technique and may involve a bit of trial and error. That is the joy of creating!

I also have been asked about other types of foils out there. I have used Thermoweb Deco Foil because the price is good, the colors are nice, and I was able to find and buy it in stores (HERE and HERE). I also like Ranger’s foil packs and look forward to trying the Heidi Swapp and WOW foils soon. But all should work well for this technique. I also just got the Minc machine and will do a review when I get a chance. (It is sweet!)

GIVEAWAY

So my love of foil is so deep that I just have to share it with someone! One lucky winner will get THREE packs of Deco Foil. For your chance, leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 4/10/15 telling me if you are a gold person or a silver person. (Me? I am silver!) The winner’s name will be randomly selected and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Amazon (AZ), Thermoweb (TW), etc.