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Transform Your Apparel Customization with Toner Foiling

What is Toner Foiling? 

Toner foiling is a specialty customization process of adhering foil to a design printed with toner. If you have a heat press and a white toner printer, you can add foil to fabrics for stunning accents. 

Toner foil sticks to toner due to the heat and pressure applied during the printing process. When a design is printed using toner-based printing methods, such as white toner printing, the toner is heated and fused onto the printing substrate. This heating process causes the toner to become tacky, allowing it to adhere to various surfaces.

When foil is applied over the design and subjected to heat and pressure, it adheres to the toner surface. The heat activates the adhesive on the foil, allowing it to bond with the toner. As a result, the foil transfers its metallic, or colored layer, onto the toner, creating the desired decorative effect.

Does Foil Stick to All Colors of Toner?

Most foil will adhere to any color of toner. However, black toner offers the thickest saturation, so will yield the best results.

Finding the Right Foil

It is important to know that toner foils are not compatible with toner foiling. Specialized reactive foils are required for this kind of foiling project.

There are different types of foils, but not all foils will work for toner foiling. It is important to get the right foil so that you get the right result. Heat foil is used for laminators. Reactive transfer foils are used with transfer gel, transfer paint, or ink toner. Adhesive foils are used with liquid or sheet adhesive, where the foil transfers onto the tacky surface in the shape or design of the adhesive. Having the right foil for the right system makes all the difference in the world.

Toner Foiling Process

The Toner Foiling Process is simple. Overlaying foil onto a design involves applying foil on top of a printed design to create metallic or colored accents.

Start by creating the design you want to overlay with foil. Ensure that the design is printed using a toner-based printer, such as DigitalHeat FX Printer. The areas where you want the foil to adhere to should be covered with toner. Print and apply your design following the instructions specific to your equipment and the type of transfer paper used.

Next, choose the foil color and type that you want to use for overlaying onto your design. Foils are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and effects, such as metallic, matte, holographic, or patterned. Cut the foil into pieces that match the size of the areas you want to foil in your design. Make sure the foil sheets are slightly larger than the design areas. This will help to ensure complete coverage.

Next, choose the foil color and type that you want to use for overlaying onto your design.

Foils are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and effects, such as metallic, matte, holographic, or patterned. Cut the foil into pieces that match the size of the areas you want to foil in your design. Make sure the foil sheets are slightly larger than the design areas. This will help to ensure complete coverage.

Carefully place the foil sheets over the printed design.

Place the foil-colored side up onto the design. Ensure that the foil covers the areas you want to foil completely. Cover the entire design with a protective sheet. Use a heat source to apply heat and pressure to the foil sheets placed over the printed design. The heat activates the adhesive on the foil, causing it to bond with the toner.

Once the foiling process is complete, allow the foil to cool. Then, peel away the foil sheets from the printed design. The foil should adhere to the toner, leaving behind metallic or colored accents on the design. Inspect the design to ensure that the foil has adhered evenly.

For more toner foiling ideas check out our article: How To Customize Cardstock Paper With Toner Foil | DigitalHeat FX i560.

Creating a Two-Tone Effect with Toner Foil

Layering multiple sheets of foil onto a design is a creative way to achieve a two-tone effect. Though foils are not designed for layering, there is a creative technique to achieve a captivating two-tone effect. Here is how:
  • Prepare Your Design: Start with your printed design on the substrate. Ensure that the areas you want to foil are covered with toner.
  • Selecting Foils: Select the foils you wish to use for overlaying onto your design. Keep in mind that the (main) first layer of foil will adhere to most of the toner, resulting in the main design color. Cut the foil into pieces that correspond to the size of the areas you intend to foil within your design.
  • Crinkle the Foil: Take the (main) foil sheet and crinkle it to create a textured and uneven surface. The creases and wrinkles will create areas where the foil will not adhere, resulting in a two-tone effect when pressed onto the design.
  • Apply Main Foil: Place the crinkled foil sheet over the printed design with the colored side facing up. Make sure the foil covers the areas you want to add the first tone to. Cover the design with a protective sheet. Press at 310 degrees for 30 seconds using a high pressure. The heat will activate the adhesive on the foil, causing it to bond with the toner on the substrate.
  • Peel Off the Foil: Once the pressing process is complete, allow the substrate to cool down. A colder peel yields superior results. Rubbing the foil on a cold surface facilitates heat dispersion. Then, peel off the foil sheet while it is still cold. The wrinkles in the foil will prevent it from adhering uniformly, resulting in areas where the foil did not transfer.
  • Appy Secondary Foil: Repeat the process with another foil color to add a second tone to your design. Overlay the second foil sheet onto the areas where you want the second tone. Apply heat and pressure as before, then peel off the foil once cooled.
  • Inspect and Finish: Inspect the design to ensure that the two-tone effect has been achieved as desired. Make any necessary adjustments or touch-ups.
This technique results in a visually dynamic two-tone effect when pressed onto the substrate. Experiment with different foil colors and crinkling techniques to achieve various aesthetic outcomes.

Supplies Used to Create a Two-Tone Effect:

Toner foiling offers a versatile range of design effects, allowing designers to elevate their printed materials with stunning and impactful embellishments.

ColDesi serves as your go-to destination for all your White Toner Printing needs, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. These include DigitalHeat FX White Toner Printers, supplies, and blanks, along with informative articles and application guidance.

For more information on White Toner Printing call 877.793.3278, Chat with a Pro below, or visit our website.

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