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    Foiling Troubleshooting Tips

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    Foil fusing is a fantastic technique to transform regular printed pages into magnificent metallic prints without the need for specialized foiling equipment. Just your dry toner print, a foil roll in the color of your choice, a pouch laminator, and a shielding material called a pouch carrier are required. Here in our resource center, you can find various foil resources, such as guidelines, how-tos, FAQs, and more. You may purchase foil by clicking here. 

    But let’s get to the main purpose of this piece, which is to troubleshoot your foil lamination. Foiling is enjoyable and simple, however there are occasionally problems that arise. You should be able to solve most, if not all, of the foiling issues you might encounter with the help of this troubleshooting guide. 

    Foil Not Transferring: 

    To solve the issue if the foil isn’t transferring, there are a number of possible solutions you can try, all of which are fairly straightforward. 

    • Is the toner in your ink dry? Keep in mind that dry toner is the only thing that will make foil stick, so if you aren’t using the suitable ink, the foil won’t transfer. To determine whether it uses dry toner, check your printer and the cartridge. If not, you might be able to order your prints there, pick them up, and foil them when you get home or to the workplace. Most print and copy businesses offer these machines. 
    • Is the stock of your paper smooth? Remember that textured paper stocks will not transfer foil; the paper must be smooth for the foil to adhere correctly. The foil doesn’t become solid in the creases because of the texture. 
    • Do you have uncoated paper? On coated paper stocks (often written as C1S or C2S on your box of paper), foil will not transfer well because the coating stops the ink from getting the foil to connect correctly. 
    • Is the laminator hot enough? Your laminator should be heated to a minimum of 300° F. However, hotter is preferable. Various foils, such as holographic and translucent foils, as well as some paper stocks, such as larger sheets, will require more heat to transfer well. If the foil laminator is already operating at maximum heat, consider reducing the speed. If your heating or cooling system isn’t adjustable, try simply running it once more. You might need to use fresh foil because it can only be heated a few times before the foil becomes useless. You shouldn’t peel the foil and then run it again because it might not stick after being peeled up. The impression of your design in the foil is usually visible when a transfer has been done successfully just by looking at the sheet. 

    Foil Transferring onto Pages Without Ink: 

    • Are you using a hot foil laminator? Your laminator can be too hot if you have brushed your paper and the speckles have not been erased (or too slow). To test if the speckles disappear, try reducing the temperature or speeding up the process while running a fresh sheet. 
    • Tool Tip: Since some speckling on the page is natural, it is a good idea to keep a paint or cleaning brush on available to lightly dust the page after foiling. This will assist in removing such flecks. 
    • Tracking Dots: Every sheet of color-printed paper has tiny, invisible-to-the-human-eye yellow tracking dots printed on them. These readable dots can be used to determine the printer’s location, date, and purchaser. This is done so that if someone threatens someone in a printed letter, they can trace the message back to that person. You will be able to see the tracking dots if you print something in color using a loop. Although not all, the majority of printers now have tracking dots. Additionally, Google “tacky dots” and “printers.” When printing in deep black, these dots have no effect on the foil fusing procedure. Therefore, if you purchase a printer that prints tracking dots and you need to print rich black, you must omit the yellow else the sheet will end up covered with tiny foiled specks after going through the foil fuser. 

    Foiling Tips, Tricks, and Hacks: 

    Techniques for foiling with thermal toner that will produce the greatest results every time. 

    • Foil on your Pouch Carrier: Always lay a thin scrap of paper on top of your design before foiling to stop any foil from transferring to your pouch carrier folder page. If your foil “bleeds” over the edge of your print, you should always place a scrap of paper behind it. The intention is to keep the carrier and foil from making touch. It is a good idea to have additional foil carriers on available for mistakes like this because foil can transfer onto your carrier otherwise. They are fortunately quite affordable. 
    • Choosing the Best Ink: Solid black ink works well for grabbing solid foils. It can give the most saturated foil finish since it is the most saturated “color.” Additionally, since you won’t be able to see the ink underneath, using a different color wouldn’t matter. Only if you are using a transparent underlay foil, like our holographic foil, would you want to use colored ink instead (which comes in either a silver or transparent underlay). This would allow the ink color beneath the foil pattern to be seen, enhancing it. Your laminator will require more heat when using foils other than black and when utilizing more specialized foils, like translucent or holographic. Also, keep in mind that for this heat transfer foiling to function, your printer must use dry toner ink. 

    Ready to Get Started? 

    Check out the vast selection of thermal reactive toner foil we provide, which includes hundreds of choices like iridescent patterns, holographic patterns, sparkly foil, metallic and matte colors, and more. Additionally, we provide formal foil fusing machines for bigger volumes, a number of high-quality pouch laminators that have been tested and approved for foiling, as well as foil roll cutters to reduce the width of your rolls. 

    Laminating Sheets vs. Pouches – What’s the Difference? 

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    There is a distinction between both a laminating pouch and a laminating sheet even though the phrases are frequently used interchangeably in the laminating industry. They both contain polyester and adhesive, however, lamination pouches often have a far higher ratio of polyester to adhesive than lamination film. Lamination pouches feel significantly stiffer as a result of this than laminated with roll film. This is the key basis for why roll laminating is less expensive than laminating pouches. 

    Laminating Pouches: 

    A “laminating pouch” is a laminate film piece with a pre-sealed edge making a pouch or sleeve. A laminating pouch, available as a cold pouch or thermal pouch, is used for two-sided laminating. The cold laminations can be produced without a machine or using a laminator that has a cold option. A heated pouch laminator is always required to seal thermal pouches. 

    Laminating pouches are ideal for providing all-around protection for a variety of documents, including ID cards, multipurpose papers, and images. Both the front and back sides of your page will be safeguarded because they totally enclose it. They also increase the document’s rigidity and stability by two, which increases its durability and resistance to bends and tears. 

    TIP: Your laminator is too hot if your pouch comes out wavy. It is too low if it turns out milky. Accordingly, alter the speed or heat settings. You could use or skip a laminating pouch carrier to either shield your pouch from excessive heat or enable more heat to reach it if there are no heat or speed adjustments. 

    Laminating Sheets: 

    The typical laminating sheet size is made for papers up to Letter or A4 size. This means the sheet is somewhat bigger (9 x 11.5 inches) so that your document has an edge on either side. If there is too much extra plastic at the borders or if you are laminating anything smaller, you can trim the sides of the laminating sheet following centering and sealing your paper. 

    A single piece of laminate film that isn’t sealed or joined to another sheet is referred to as a “laminating sheet” in simple terms. To laminate one side only, use a laminating sheet. Most of the time, they are self-stick, thus laminating your paper does not require heat or a machine. Rather, they merely apply pressure. You would peel off the paper lining covering the glue and stick it to your page. 

    For certificates, flyers, signage, schedules, and more, laminating sheets are ideal. Typically, there aren’t many sizes available, but they can always be shrunk. They provide a little bit more stability for your pages than plain sheets, but not the full protection from spills and bending that a completely contained laminating pouch would provide. 

    Advice: Only peel off the corner of your line, then fold it back so that the adhesive is visible. Use the grid if the liner has one to align your page correctly with the bag before pressing it down to the exposed corner. While placing your page into the laminate sheet and smoothing it from the corner toward the edges, slowly peel off the liner. Either by hand or with a little roller are options. 

    Shop Laminating Pouches
    Shop Roll Laminating

    Give us a call at  1-800-944-4573  if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to help you choose the best sort of lamination for your needs. 

    Foiling – Everything You Need to Know 

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    Have you ever wondered how to foil print and what supplies you’ll need? I will explain everything you need to know about foiling in this extensive manual. To ensure that everyone can glitter and shine with their own foils, save it as a bookmark and use it as a reference. You can also share it with your friends on social media. 

    What Foil Fusing is 

    Standard toner-printed sheets can benefit from foil printing to get an attractive and polished appearance that isn’t possible with conventional printing methods. Foil fusing makes it simple to hot-foil foil invitations, certificates, awards, greeting cards, and more. You can produce personalized foiled papers for individual or high-production use using a variety of foiling techniques. 

    How does Fuse Foiling Work? 

    Your normal toner-printed sheets may look more attractive and professional when foiled, which is not possible with conventional printing methods. Business cards, invitations, certificates, prizes, greeting cards, and more are simple to hot foil with foil fusing. You can produce custom foiled paper for use in high production or for personal use using a variety of foiling techniques. 

    What types of foils are there? 

    Thermal/toner foil comes in a variety of hues and designs. In addition to holographic patterns with transparent or silver backings, glitter, and iridescent possibilities, solid colors are also offered in metallic, matte, or gloss pigment options. The various types of foil available right now are listed below: 

    Is die required to foil? 

    Thankfully, no. Our unique thermal-reactive foils aren’t heat-stamp foils; therefore, they don’t need a special die. 

    Will the foil stick to different colors of toner? 

    Although most foils will adhere well to any toner hue, black delivers the thickest saturation and will therefore produce the greatest results. Using colored toner is only advantageous when using a transparent holographic foil because the toner will be concealed by the foil anyhow. 

    What’s the price of foiling? 

    The actual cost of foil will vary based on several variables, including the paper stock, the printer and toner you use, the laminator or foil fuser, the type of foil, and the process (laminating or fusing). However, customers can often anticipate paying only $0.04 to $0.08 every 8-1/2″ x 11″ letter size page. 

    Should I get a foil roll cutter? 

    Your machine will have a core size restriction and might only accept a particular foil width when utilizing the foil fuser method. Therm-O-Type foil fusing machines, for instance, employ 1″. Each machine has a different tolerance for width and core foils. Foil rolls with a 1″ core, however, are only offered in 24 or 25″ roll widths. Thus, if your device requires a 12″ With a foil roll cutter, you can divide that single roll into several usable ones. 

    Is it possible to foil multiple colors on the same piece of paper? 

    Yes! By simply cutting the pieces and arranging them on the toner, you can use as many or as few colors as you like when laminating because you have complete control over where the foil is placed on your sheet. If using a foil fuser, print your first toner, run it with color number 1, then add your second toner, run it with foil number 2, and then add your foil. 

    Which paper works best for foiling? 

    A smooth, untreated sheet of paper is going to work best for foil fusing. Some very lightly textured pages might work, but real textured paper with hills and valleys won’t allow the foil to adhere correctly. Glossy coatings will resist foil and might not produce a fully foiled appearance. 

    Will your foils work with Minc machines? 

    Yes, thermal toner foils will function with almost any heat source, even the Minc machines (which are essentially little laminators). According to our experience, Minc machines are not hot enough to operate with all foils, and without a heat- or speed-adjustable feature, the finish might not always be flawless. Because of this, we advise using a foiling laminator instead. 

    What is the smallest print foil will stick to? 

    We’ve tested text with a nice foil sticking that is as small as 6 pt. Anything smaller typically lacks sufficient toner saturation to draw the foil. 

    Is it possible to make stickers with foil? 

    Yes, many of our clients create metallic stickers using our foil in combination with their sticker materials. For the best adhesion, just make sure the paper is smooth and uncoated. 

    How do you foil? 

    Okay, let’s get to the how-to now, shall we? There are two recognized ways to foil: using a pouch laminator or a foil fusing machine (for huge volumes). However, I haven’t had the chance to try that out yet so I can’t say how well it works. Some customers also get inventive and try it with irons. Let’s discuss foiling with a fusing machine and foiling with a pouch laminating machine now. 

    Foiling with a Foil Fusing Machine 

    Like a roll laminator, a foil fuser uses a heated roller to apply toner foil. But only in areas with dry toner will the foil bind. The procedure is more automated when the metallic foil is applied to documents using a Foil Fuser Machine. Instead of inputting individual cut sheets, foil fusers let the operator use whole rolls of foil. Both costs of labor and foil will be significantly reduced if large works are scheduled for use of foil fusers. They don’t need any training and are simple to use. They make it possible for novice users to quickly develop products that seem professional. 

    You’re going to need: 

    • Foil fusing machine that’s compatible with Toner Receptive Foil 
    • Photocopier or laser printer that uses toner instead of wax-based ink.  
    • Roll of Toner Receptive Foil 

    Steps to Foil with a Fusing Machine 

    As each machine will have unique step-by-step instructions that differ, I won’t be able to offer detailed directions for foiling using a fuser. Therefore, looking at the foil fusing equipment we offer, you will notice instructions for various kinds. 

    You may utilize a TON of different foil colors, such as holographic designs, bling, and much more. Toner adhesion foiling can give your documents a brilliant finish! There are numerous colors and designs available for special toner adhesion foil. You can add foil to specific areas of your document or the entire thing because the glue on the foil only adheres to the dry toner in many black-and-white copy machines and laser printers. When making accents for craft projects, business cards, or letterhead, adding flair to weddings or other invites, award certificates, or anything else that would benefit from vibrant metallic colors, foiling is a very popular option. 

    Using a Pouch Laminator to Foil: 

    By cutting a piece of foil off the roll, positioning it over the appropriate area, putting the paper and foil into a laminating pouch carrier, and then running the assembly through the pouch laminator, you can also apply foil using this method. By applying foil this way, black and white toner-copied or printed papers are covered in a stunning metallic color foil. 

    You may now effortlessly apply foil to your special papers at home or in the office. Utilizing pouch laminators, foil can be attached to applications. From 4″ to 13″ wide, pouch laminators are available from MyBinding.com. Use the directions shown below to get started foiling at work or at home. 

    You’re going to need the following:  

    • A pouch laminator with adjustable speed and heat. Must be able to handle 10 Mil Pouches and reach temperatures between 250° and 300° F. 
    • A laser printer or copier that uses toner rather than ink made of wax (the foil will not adhere to waxed-based inks) 
    • A roll of toner-reactive foil 
    • Scissors 
    • Protective lamination pouch carrier 

    Steps to Laminate Foil 

    1. Get your laminator ready. Foil fusing requires a high temperature (often between 250° and 300° F). Since the foil can vary slightly depending on the type of paper you use, the laminator itself, and the foil, it is a good idea to have enough material to make test runs and alter the settings until you find the ideal foil. 
    1. Start preparing your documents for foiling while your laminator reaches the temperature range. 
    • Print what you’re going to foil. 
    • Cut the amount of foil you need from the roll. 
    1. You can add foil to any printed area by placing a piece of foil over it and then carefully placing the object into a laminating bag carrier. You must be very careful not to let the foil slide at this stage or the foiling won’t stick. 
    1. When your laminator is ready, take the pouch carrier with the paper and foil inside and feed it into the laminator. The foil will bind to the ink on your sheet when heated by the pouch laminator, transferring the foil. 
    1. You need to cut away any extra foil when the paper exits the other side of your laminator and let it cool.  

    Top Laminators for Foiling 

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    Laminating Foils and Foil Machine

    The best laminators for foiling will share a few features, including adjustable heat settings that can achieve a minimum of 300° F, customizable speed, heat rollers in place of heat plates, and the ability to handle thick lamination pouches of at least 10mil. 

    In order to give you some interesting ideas for the kinds of foil prints you may generate with a pouch laminating machine and our toner reactive foils, let’s take a moment to drool over some of the amazing foilings I have done using the SpeedyLam (the first laminator I list below). 

    SpeedyLam 330R Pouch Laminator 

    Even when printing text with thinner lines, the SpeedyLam 330R pouch laminating machine creates flawlessly foiled documents. You can adapt it to precisely meet your foiling needs with customizable heat and speed settings. This is crucial since the amount of heat and the time it is heated can differ slightly based on the type of foil you are using and even the paper stock you printed on (transparent foils, for instance, frequently require a little more heat and a longer heating time to adhere successfully). It’s no coincidence that “speedy” is in the name. It provides the highest-quality output while working at the fastest desktop pouch laminating device in its class, up to 12 feet every minute. The finest foil laminating is produced, along with beautifully laminated photos and prints of every kind. It is unquestionably a magnificent work of foiling and lamination paradise. 

    To learn more about the SpeedyLam or to purchase it online, click here. 

    Sprinter-Lam 335R6 Pouch Laminator 

    The Sprinter-Lam 335R6 is less expensive than the SpeedyLam and is produced by the same company, Spiral. They produce these high-end laminating devices that are superior to every other brand I have used. Even the SprinterLam is an excellent laminator for foiling (and laminating!), even though it retails for less than half the price of the Speedy. Additionally, this machine is extremely quick, moving up to 3-1/2 feet per minute, and it has all the programmable parameters required to produce the strongest foil. Another bonus feature of the SprinterLam 335 pouch laminator is the ability to store 2 programs into memory; so, once you tweak the heat and speed settings for a specific kind of paper stock and foil that you use most often, you can save that setting for quick-recall the next time you need to foil. To find out more about the Sprinter-Lam or to order one online, click here.  

    ProLam Ultra Pouch Laminator 

    The ProLam Ultra is produced by Akiles, a separate company. They are renowned for their pouch laminating machines, such as this one, and other paper-finishing equipment. It costs a little less than the SprinterLam but still has the customizable heat and speeds you need for laminating foil. It is an excellent option for foil laminating since it has a high-quality and full 6-roller system for even, continuous heat from the beginning of your sheet to the end of your sheet. This system was specifically created to perform well with traditionally difficult-to-laminate photo paper. To find out more information about the ProLam Ultra or to purchase it online, click here. 

    All-in-all

    The four laminators I’ve talked about are affordable for offices and enterprises of all sizes, but what about home foiling by individuals and crafters? Will laminators that don’t fit these requirements work? Sure! There’s a good chance that alternative laminators will function as well; some of our customers use inexpensive craft store laminators with a single heat setting, running their foil over 2-3 times until the right amount of heat is applied; other customers even just use a regular household iron. If you get inventive with a heating element, you can foil laminate without laminators as long as you do it safely at all times. However, buying one of these devices, which have been tried and approved as some of the best laminators for foiling, will be your best choice for the highest quality, most robust, and secure foil. 

    Before you head out, check out this blog post on how to foil laminate. When foil laminating, there are a ton of options and factors to consider in order to achieve the greatest results. It covers topics including how to foil laminate, how to print for foil laminating, what paper to use, how to make your laminator work better, and how to apply foil to specific project portions. You can also peek at this article about how you can foil laminate with multiple foil colors. It has step-by-step instructions on how you can add multiple colors to your documents, cards, or certificates. It only takes a few minutes to complete and you don’t need expensive dies. If you’re ready to get started, head here to discover the laminating foil best for your projects.  

    Laminating Pouch Blowout!

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    Save on 3mil Letter Size Laminating Pouches

     

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