Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about Foiling
Ideas and products to make your foiling fast and easy

	Facts about Foiling	How to Apply Foil
	What are the differences between Foil and Gold Leaf? What surfaces can foil be applied to How do I apply foil to a surface? Special Effects using left over Foil on used sheets What size of foiling to purchase Is foil washable when used for home decor items, on fabric, wearables & quilts?	Foil Adhesive Choices Foil with double-sided tape Foil with liquid adhesives Foil with Steam-a-Seam2® What adhesive do I use for 3-D Effects What adhesive do I use for a flat-shimmery look with foil?

Embellishment Index

How does Foil differ from Gold Leafing?

The special effects of foiling looks very similar to gold leafing applications but are easier and less costly to use than Gold Leafing material. Foiling is often more durable when washing is required.

Gold Leafing comes in sheets but is such a fine material that falls apart easily when applying to a surface.

Foil is a high gloss mylar that pulls away from the clear backing. Sometimes it is referred to as foil paper and other times it is referred to as foil sheets. Both terms refer to the same foil (high gloss mylar) used for special effects.

What Surfaces can Foil be applied to?

Foil can be applied to paper, sweater knits, fabrics, lace, leather, trims, glass, vinyl, plastic, ceramics, wood, walls and more. If you can apply glue to a surface, you can foil it! Understanding which adhesive to use is key to the look and effects you will achieve.

How to Apply Foil to Surface

NOTE: Foil sticks to wet or dry glue! Each glues/adhesives recommended below has an active tacky quality that grabs the foil when rubbed or ironed.

Dry Glue Steps:

1. 1. Apply adhesive/glue to the surface (fabric, glass, leather, wood, ect.) and depending on the adhesive used: on how to apply adhesives
   
2. Let dry to tacky (1-8 hours)
3. Lay foil color side up on glued surface.
4. Rub foil with finger nail or rubbing device like a finger presser or squeegee.

   
   NOTE: Click each product for additional information

5. Lift foil to reveal effect.
6. You may re-foil, if parts of adhesive are not covered.

Wet Glue Application for Jones Tones glue or other wet adhesives

TIP:

1. Prepare foil by applying glue to back side of foil
   • Precut foil shapes and apply glue directly to the backside of foil
   • Create design on backside of foil by applying glue with brush or sponge
2. While wet, place foil glue side down on the surface to be foiled
3. Apply even pressure without moving the foil.
4. Dry flat 1 hour
5. Peel off foil quickly
6. You may re-foil, if parts of adhesive are not covered
7. You may also use the foil until all the color is gone.

Special effects using partially used foil sheets

Collect and reuse your foil paper until all the color is gone. Partially used sheets can be used in a variety of ways. Foiling can be used to help create surface designs by building layers of foil color over the original fabric.

Well used Copper, Gold, & Iridescent Green
Used to create multicolor foiling in fabric example below.

• While you can purchase multicolored foil papers, the choices are limited. Experiment with partially used sheets to create your own layers and patterns of colors.
• Cut a piece of foil paper the size and shape to cover part of your design. Foil and remove.
• Now, use another foil paper next to it, or on top of it. Keep doing this until you achieve the desired effect.
• A well-used sheet will give a more random pattern of color and create a lightly covered area of color.
• Combining multiple colors will provide a surface texture which now can be used as a designer fabric.

Foiling is a fun way to make an original piece of fabric that can be used to make quilts, fiber art wall hangings, altered books, cards, placed in a frame as a display of art or add pizzazz to home decor.

Is foils washable? i.e.: Wearables, Quilts, Home Wall

Not all foils are washable. Be sure to read the directions on the foil product and the adhesive/glue you have selected.

If the foil directions state it is washable:

• When laundering, treat your quilts and wearables as a fine washable. Use water, a gentle soap, and a gentle cycle. Block and air dry.
  • Jones Tones and Bella Nonna foils are washable after application.
  • Jones Tones recommends to use mild soaps, turn the garment inside out, and use a gentle cycle. Jones Tones does not recommend using the dryer.
• When applied to walls, glass, and other home decor items use a gentle soapy water, soft rag and a light touch to lift finger prints.

What size of foiling to purchase

Foil paper comes in many sizes, depending upon the manufacturer.

• Variety packs offer multiple colors and are wonderful for small projects or first time foilers. They provide a nice sample of color ranges for experimentation and some will include different adhesives.
• Economy rolls offer cost effective application for robust jobs like home interior wall applications.
• NOTE: Here at Soft Expressions we have Jones Tones Economy Packs (multiple colors per package) or single foil color 50 yard rolls for the heavy duty user.

If you plan to foil a large project or multiple projects, buying larger pieces will be more economical. To avoid waste, cut a piece slightly bigger than the area you need to cover and set the rest aside.

When using a smaller foil paper than the area to be covered, either put two sheets side by side, or use one sheet of foil, rub, pick it up, moved it and re-rub. Keep moving it until the entire area to be foiled is covered.

Depending upon the design, a foil paper can be re-used until all the color is gone. Check after each use to determine if any color is still attached before throwing away. (See special effects for how to use up the last bits of foil on well-used sheets.)

Fabric example and Fabric with Foil added
Note the added life in the foiled example which of course is even more beautiful in real life!

When to use foiling techniques for Fiber Art & Traditional Quilts

There are many ways to use foiling—and can be used by both traditional and art quilters with varying effects. Sometimes the fabric needed for a project just isn't available or is not quite right.

Traditional quilters can use foil to highlight specific areas of their quilts. Examples of this type of foiling are:

• To hightlight an design begin by drawing a design using a liquid adhesive or a paint brush.
  • Outline the edges of an appliqué
  • Enhance the overall design by adding emphasis to the veins or hightlight areas in leaves, vines, or fruit.
• Using a two step foiling technique, create more depth for landscape quilts.
• Here is an example of adding depth to water:
  • In water areas, cut wave shapes out of fusible webbing or use double-sided tape and apply foil. This will create the feel of the water.
  • Now, draw thin water patterns using a liquid adhesive over the top, and change foil colors.
  • Some portions of the waves will stand out in more detail, and can create a wet look, or a shadow, depending upon the foil and fabric color combinations.

Art Quilters can use foil in many ways to make their art quilts sparkle without using conventional methods.

• Foil over the top stitching to emphasize the lines.
• Add depth or texture by using multiple techniques together.
  • Consider stamping with foil glue or using stencils to apply glue layer. Combined together for a one-of-a-kind surface design.
• Foil can be applied to a variety of fabrics, even silk organza and fine tulle.
  • After applying foil to sheer fabrics, consider layering to create the depth of color and texture that adds excitement to fiber art projects.

Adhesive choices

There are many adhesive choices in the market and most can be used for many applications. Finished effect will often be the determining factor for adhesive choice. Read the adhesive directions and experiment with end results to determine the suitability of the adhesive for your surface choice (fabric, glass, wood, plastic, mesh, metal, leather, ceramics)

Environment can effect tacky quality of dried glue.

• In dry climates complete project the same day or less. Overnight can make the glue's tacky quality dry and more difficult to use.
• More humid climates, the glue tackiness can hold up for days, weeks and even months.
• Sharla suggests that you experiment to understand how foil glue will react in your climate.

Liquid Adhesives/Glues

Liquid adhesives with applicator tips can be used right out of bottle to draw a lines for a particular pattern or design. Liquid adhesives can also be used to cover a large area, but will require other tools, such as brushes and a small container, to apply the glue to the surface of the fabric area.

Jones Tones foil glue comes in a multiple sizes, even a gallon container. Most have an applicator tip. It is water soluble for easy water cleanup, with no sealing required. It dries clear and becomes tacky dry in a one hour time frame. It is machine washable. In addition to fabric, it an be used for leather, paper, glass, ceramics, and wood. It be used as is, or thinned down to a 10:1 ratio (That is 10 parts adhesive to one part water), before it starts losing its sticking properties.

Double-sided Fusible Adhesives

Double-sided fusible products are good for covering larger areas. Most fusibles have a paper backing and are easy to use. You can draw on the paper side and cut into shapes. To adhere to the right side of the fabric, remove the paper, put in place, and use a hot iron. Be careful when selecting a fusible, as many will change the hand of the fabric.

• Steam-A-Seam2® has a heavy hand, that is, upon application the fabric which was once supple, is now stiffer where the product has been applied and feels thicker to the touch. This makes it a great product to use in wall hangings or in projects where you want the fabric to have more substance and to lay flat.

How to To Use Steam-A-Seam2® & Steam-A-Seam2® Lite with foil.

• Steam-a-Seam2 Lite is manufactured by the same company, but only slightly alters the hand of the fabric. It has less bulk than Steam-A-Seam2® so can be used in a variety of applications where you want the fabric to retain more of its original properties.
• Esterita Austin's MistyFuse is environmentally friendly because it is solvent free and recyclable. It does not have a paper backing. Misty Fuse has been extruded to a very fine web to create a lasting bond that does not add extra bulk. There is no extra adhesive, so your needles will not gum up. It is adhered using a hot iron and bonds firmly once cooled. It is suitable for a wide variety of fabrics and leaves a wispy textured design when foiling with it.

Misty Fuse comes in Black and White

• BoNash 007 Bonding Agent is a powder which is sprinkled directly onto the fabric. It is excellent for creating a "speckled" foiling effect. It can be washed, tumble-dried or dry-cleaned. It can be used on all types of fabrics.
• NOTE: Make sure when using the BoNash 007 Bonding Agent powder to protect your iron and the surrounding area with the BoNash Nonstick Ironing Sheet.

• Jones Tones double-sided tape comes with the Value Kit. It is a fusible designed for fabrics. It is good for making designs with curves or long, thin linear patterns.

Jones Tones box example where the foil
was applied using doubled sided tape found in the Value Kit
to achieve very straight lines

Instructions for applying foil to fabric with double-sided tape

How to use Jones Tones double-sided tape, which comes with the Foil Paper Value Pack

1. Position the tape on the right side of the fabric to create your design.
2. Remove tape back.
3. Lay foil color side up, on top of the double-sided tape.
4. Rub the foil with even pressure and peel the foil paper away.

Instructions for applying foil to fabric with liquid adhesives:

3D Effects

1. If you use the Jones Tones adhesive right from the bottle, you will get a thick line for a 3D effect. Simply draw your design, using the bottle applicator tip.
• The speed and pressure you apply to the tube as you drag the tip will affect the thickness of the lines.
2. Wait at least 1 to 8 hours for the adhesive to dry completely. Jones Tones will dry clear.
   • In dry climates complete project the same day. Overnight can make the glue's tacky quality a little dry and more difficult to use.
   • More humid climates, the glue tackiness can hold up for days, weeks and even months.
   • Sharla suggests that you experiment to understand how foil glue will react in your climate
3. Place a piece of foil over the design with colored side up.
4. Be sure to read the glue/adhesive packaging as directions may differ. Some products, like Jones Tones tell you to place the foil over the top of the glue and rub evenly. Then simply pull the paper away.
5. You may re-foil, if parts of adhesive are not covered
6. You may also use the foil until all the color is gone.

3-D effects Examples Created with
Jones Tones Foil Paper & Jones Tones Foil Glue

Three Techniques to Achieve Flat-Shimmery Effects

1. Wet glue application with sponges and paint brush
2. Double-sided adhesive that are finger pressed down or use the iron to activate glue

Use a paint brush or sponge technique to achieve flat or shimmering effects. TIP: When painting or sponging glue on fabric, be sure to use a thin glue and work on a smooth surface. Jones Tones adhesive can be thinned with water, up to a 10:1 ratio. (That is 10 parts adhesive to one part glue). Use a ¼ inch teaspoon to measure in a small container. Measure your adhesive, then add the water. Stir until consistent. Bella Nonna adhesive can be used right out of the container or can be thinned if you wish. Use a paint brush to apply a small amount of adhesive to the fabric. TIP: Be sure to wash your brush or sponge immediately after. Dry To Tacky Ahesive Foil Application TIP: Be sure to wash your brush, sponge, stamps, and stencils in water immediately after use. Use a paint brush to apply glue directly to the fabric. Dry to tacky by waiting at least 1 hour for the adhesive to dry completely. Place a piece of foil over the design with colored side up. Be sure to read the packaging. Some products, like Jones Tones tell you to place the foil over the top of the glue and rub evenly. Then simply pull the paper away. You may re-foil, if parts of adhesive are not covered You may also use the foil until all the color is gone. Wet Glue Application for Jones Tones and Bella Nona glue or other wet adhesives. TIP: Be sure to wash your brush, sponge, stamps, and stencils in water immediately after use. Prepare foil by applying glue to back side of foil Precut foil shapes and apply glue directly to the backside of foil Create design on backside of foil by applying glue with brush or sponge While wet, place foil glue side down on the surface to be foiled Apply even pressure without moving the foil. Dry flat 1 hour Peel off foil quickly You may re-foil, if parts of adhesive are not covered You may also use the foil until all the color is gone. Experiment with other Applicator tools Experimenting with other ways to apply glue to the surface can create unique surface design textures. Try applying the glue to a rubber stamp and stamp the fabric. Place a stencil over the fabric and brush or daub the glue. Soft Expressions has some great Doodling Stencils and books that are ideal for developing unique repetitive designs stencils for foiling NOTE: When glue is sticky on the stencil surface, use Staz-On All-Purpose Cleaner to remove Use painter's tape to mask areas on the fabric before applying the glue by brush. Pencil eraser tip to apply dots Place texture plates under fabric or paper when applying glue For a less uniform coverage, scrunch plastic wrap or tin foil dip in glue and apply to the surface

Makeup sponge used to create pattern on fabric     Doodle Foiling Ideas StazOn All-Purpose Cleaner Great for Stamps, Tacky Glue Removal & cleaning paint from stencils

Use Iron application to achieve a flatter/shimmer quality

Instructions for applying foil to fabric with Steam-A-Seam 2®:

• Trace a design (heart or swirl) onto Steam-A-Seam2® or Steam-a-Seam2 Lite. Steam-A-Seam2® adds a stiffer hand to the fabric than the LITE version, while Steam-a-Seam2 Lite has a lighter hand to the fabric. Both are adhered to the fabric in the same manner.
• Cut out the design with scissors.
• Peel off one side of Steam-A-Seam2® paper and place design on the right side of fabric with paper side up (sticky side down)
• Set iron on medium heat and iron design in place.
• Let cool and remove paper.
• Place a piece of foil over the design with colored side up.
• Use tip of iron to fuse foil to fabric by melting the Steam-A-Seam2® adhesive. (Note: it is best to use a hard surface with light padding rather than a thickly padded ironing board).
• Caution: if the craft iron is too hot it can melt the foil. You may want to use a piece of lightweight cotton fabric or a Teflon sheet placed over the foil as a pressing sheet if using a hot iron. Wait until foil has cooled completely before removing.
• When foil has cooled, peel away foil and your design is complete.

10% off 12"-18"-24"W Steam-A-Seam2 & LITE Steam-A-Seam 2

Steam-A-Seam2 .25 in. x 40 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 .50 in. x 20 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 Lite .25 in. x 40 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 Lite .50 in. x 20 yds.

YouTube Video: Trish Stewart shows how to use Fusible Thread and Foil together
NOTE: Soft Expressions has an extensive line of Foil

Youtube Video by Trish Stewart
Applying Foil to Fabric Using Plants

NOTE: Trish Demos using Iron to adhere foil
NOTE: Jones Tones Foil Glue can be used With OR Without an iron

YouTube Video
Polymer Clay TV: Creating With Jones Tones and Mylar Backed Foil

Conclusion

Foiling is a unique and very gratifying embellishment technique to add the jazz to any project. It is simple to do and with a little experimenting special effects can be achieved that will add that extra sparkle wanted for any fiber, art or home decor project.

FAQS
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foiling photo transfer
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More Embellishments

Foil & Glitter Glues & Adhesives Frequently Asked Questions about Foil Answered here

10% off (great for foil & glitters) Write 'n' Rub Foiling Pen 5 sizes by Tonetex

Jones Tones Foil Glue NO Iron Needed Direct Cold Application 2 oz, 4oz, 8 oz, Gallon

Glitter Glue 2, 4, 8 oz

Steam A Seam 2 Double-Side Fusible Web, Iron Application Required Excellent for foiling, hems, binding, applique, seams, & more

10% off 12"-18"-24"W Steam-A-Seam2 & LITE Steam-A-Seam 2

Steam-A-Seam2 .25 in. x 40 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 .50 in. x 20 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 Lite .25 in. x 40 yds.

Steam-A-Seam2 Lite .50 in. x 20 yds.

Jones Tones Foils & Adhesives Frequently Asked Questions about Foil Answered Text & For More Embelishments & Foils	Value Kit 450 Foil Paper Value Kit	Economy 475 Foil Paper Economy Pack	401 Primary Rainbow Foil	402 Iridescent Swirl Foil
406 Leopard Foil	405 Silver Halo Foil	403 Holiday Set Foil	404 Gold Rainbow Foil	also see 10% off (great for foil & glitters) Write 'n' Rub Foiling Pen 5 sizes by Tonetex

Page 2: Jones Tones SUPERIOR VALUE
Economy Rolls : 12 x 36"/Yard OR 12" x 50 Ft.

451 Gold 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	452 Silver 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	453 Copper 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	454 Red 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll
455 Purple 12" x 12" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	456 Green 12" x 12" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	457 Blue 12" x 12" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	490 Gold Hologram 12" x 12" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll
491 Gold Laser Glass 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	492 Silver Hologram 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	494 Silver Laser Drops 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	495 Pearl Swirl 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll
496 Swirl 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	497 Iridescent Green 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft Economy Foil Roll	498 Rainbow 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll	499 Blue Rainbow 12" x 36" Sheet OR 12" x 50 Ft. Economy Foil Roll

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• Mixed Media with Paints, Pens, Dyes, Foils, Rubber Stamps, glitter

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