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Writer's pictureRick Adkins

Work Through Your Hot Foil Struggles: Video Tutorial

Updated: Apr 14

Hey there, crafty friends! Are you ready to dive into the wonderful world of hot foiling? I know firsthand how exciting and sometimes frustrating it can be to work with this technique. That's why I'm here to help you work through those hot foil struggles with a handy video tutorial.


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Work Through Your Hot Foil Struggles:

In today's blog post, we're going to tackle some common problems that many of us face when using hot foil, like getting everything lined up just right, dealing with over foiling mishaps, and the dreaded double foiling blunders. But fear not! With a bit of guidance and some handy tips, you'll be creating beautiful foiled cards in no time.


Merry Christmas Gnome Hot Foil Card by Rick Adkins

So, grab your favorite hot foil machine (I'll be using the Glimmer Machine from Spellbinders), your Storytelling Gnome Stamps & Dies (which is part of the March 2024 Clear Stamps & Die Club of the Month), and the Poinsettia Spray Hot Foil Plate, and let's get started!


Getting Started with Hot Foiling:

Let's start with the basics. If you're new to hot foiling, welcome to the club! It's an addictively fun technique, but it can take a bit of practice to master. One of the biggest hurdles for me when I first started was getting everything lined up perfectly. I can't tell you how many times I ended up with wonky foil or misaligned images!


Merry Christmas Gnome Hot Foil Card by Rick Adkins Front View

To combat this, I've found that using a positioning tool or grid can be a game-changer. It helps ensure that your foil, hot foil plate, and cardstock are all perfectly aligned before you run it through your machine. Trust me, it's a game-changer!


Merry Christmas Gnome Hot Foil Card by Rick Adkins Close Up View

Common Problems and Solutions:

Now, let's talk about some of those pesky hot foil problems and how to fix them. First up, over foiling. We've all been there, right? You're so excited to see that beautiful foil shine that you leave it in the machine just a tad too long, and suddenly you've got a big blob of foil where you didn't want it.


The trick here is to use a timer and keep a close eye on your foiling. Set it for just the right amount of time, and as soon as it's done, pull it out. And remember, it's always a good idea to do a test run on some scrap paper before you foil your final project.


Merry Christmas Gnome Hot Foil Card by Rick Adkins Side View

Next up, double foiling. Ugh, it's the worst! You think you've removed all the foil from your hot foil plate or the plate jumps, but then you run it through again, and suddenly you've got two layers of foil where you only wanted one.


To avoid this, make sure you're cleaning your hot foil plate thoroughly between uses. And always double-check that there's no leftover foil clinging to the plate before you start your next foiling session.


Tutorial: Creating a Unique Card Design:

Now that we've covered some hot foil troubleshooting, let's put those tips into action with a fun card project. Today, I'll be using the Glimmer Machine, Storytelling Gnome Stamps & Dies, and the Poinsettia Spray Hot Foil Plate to create a whimsical, foiled masterpiece.



I've chosen to color my gnome using Spectrum Noir TriBlend Brush Markers for a vibrant pop of color against the shiny foil background. It's all about finding that perfect balance between foiling and coloring to create a card that really pops!


If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!


(Wondering what I used in this video/project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).


Conclusion:

Well, there you have it, folks! I hope this video tutorial has helped you work through some of your hot foil struggles and inspired you to get creative with your foiling projects. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't get discouraged if things don't go perfectly the first time.


Merry Christmas Gnome Hot Foil Card by Rick Adkins Over Head View

If you have any questions or want to share your own hot foil tips and tricks, feel free to leave a comment below. And don't forget to check out the accompanying video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of today's card project.


Pin Me:

Follow me on Pinterest and save this image to your favorite card making board!


Overcoming Hot Foil Struggles Pin

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins














Rick Adkins


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