How To Add Rub-On Foil To An Image

Hi everyone!
How are you all getting on with crafting for Christmas? Have you started yet? Or is it still a little bit early for you?

In my pre-designer days , I didn't usually start actually creating anything until mid-October time. At this time of year I would have still been looking around for inspiration & making my decisions as to what I thought I might like to make ready to start shopping seriously for my supplies in a few weeks' time. I suppose I go through exactly the same process now - gathering inspiration & then creating. I just do it all a little bit earlier in the year. And I now include what I might like to design for Christmas as well as what I might like to create for it as well : )

One thing I have decided I wanted to do this year was to add foil to some of my projects. I like Rub-On foils. It's such a quick & simple technique to learn & to do. And when done properly, I think it gives a gorgeous finish.

So today, I wanted to do a quick tutorial to show you how to add Rub-On Foil to an image. Especially for those of you who've never tried it before : )

First, I want to talk a little about foils & adhesives.

Foils are available in a huge range of colours. And finishes. In addition to the standard metallic finish, there are lots of other finishes available too - holographic, matt & pearl to name just a few. They are not expensive. I buy mine from *here*. And although they can be a little prone to scratching, with careful handling & usage, there's very little waste & a little goes a really long way!

Rub-On Foils can be applied to any adhesive surface that has a 'tacky' finish - double sided adhesive tapes & stickers etc. Or for something which needs a finer application, like my image, a glue pen such as a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, which can be used as either a permanent adhesive when it's first applied and is blue in colour. Or as a temporary, tacky adhesive when it has been left to stand for a while & changed to a clear finish. Sakura Quickie Sakura Quickie Glue Pens also have a fine point & a consistent, smooth, neat flow of adhesive which will help to give a neat consistent application for the foil. Can you tell I love mine!

Now let me show you how to apply them : )

You will need
Image
Rub-On Foil
Sakura Quickie Glue pen

1. Carefully add your adhesive to your image.

2. Set it aside & allow it to become tacky. With a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, it is easy to know when this has happened because it will become entirely clear. Although this can take a little longer than you think … up to 30 minutes.

3. With the right side facing towards you, lay a small piece of foil over your image, carefully press it down with the pad of your finger & gently rub over the design. You should be able to see the outline of your adhesive through the foil. And you can use this as a guide to help you make sure you have pressed the foil onto all the parts you want to cover.

4. Now gently lift off the piece of foil. You should now have a foiled image!

5. If you find there are any gaps in your design, just lay an unused piece of foil over the area & press it down again to fill it. In my experience, this usually only happens when I haven't left the adhesive quite long enough to go completely tacky. But with a little practice, this won't happen too often!

It's a lovely finish isn't it? And p-e-r-f-e-c-t for Christmas : )



Card Credits
A6 Card Base: Kraft Card
Image with Sentiment: 'Partridge In A Pear Tree Image Stamps'
Gold Metallic Foil: Foilplay
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen