As long as the fabric and adhesive is washable, the foiled fabric is washable, too. Hand washing or use of the gentle wash cycle and turning the garment inside out is recommended. Air drying is best or very low heat. Ironing is not recommended as the foil may melt.

The term Foil can be confusing because there are so many types. Most are some kind of metal–like aluminum foil. Transfer foil is a very unique material available most with a metallic sheen and others with holographic designs.
(If this seems too geeky, the dorky illustrations help a lot, and there are videos, too!)

This represents piece of PINK transfer foil:   Transfer Foil consists of three layers like a sandwich
TOP: Clear Mylar plastic
MIDDLE: A color or pattern
BOTTOM: Dull colored layer

To use transfer foils, there must be a sticky something on the surface to grab and pull the “foil” layer off of the clear mylar top. 

Here’s the process…

1. Place Transfer Foil “Color Side Up” and rub with finger onto the adhesive which has been applied to the new surface below.
2. The color will transfer to the surface wherever the sticky adhesive was applied.
3. Where the color has transferred, clear Mylar™ remains.

IMPORTANT: Always use the foil so that you are looking at the pretty color…”Color side up” so that the dull surface will be touching the receiving surface. (If the foil is not transferring, it is most likely because you have the foil upside down or you are not using transfer foil!)

TIP: Maximize the foil by using the sheet again and again; wherever the color remains on the sheet that foil will transfer.

PS ScraPerfect’s  Best Glue Ever™ works very well as “something sticky” for transfer foiling. Apply the glue very thinly either with a stamp, a brush, or directly from the bottle. When the glue dries it becomes very, very tacky. Other options include double sided tapes, other foil glues, boding powders, fusible webbing and a hot iron, heat pens, and for the adventurous watch our video using laser printers.

For lots more ideas, watch “Video Guide: Transfer Foiling”.

Transfer foils add a metallic, holographic or other pattern to a surface by transferring a coating on the “foil” to the surface. Some type of adhesive is usually used to “attract and hold” the coating to the new surface, although heat from a stamp, heat pen or even laminator can be used.

Foil can be applied to just about any surface that adhesive will stick to! Paper, Fabric, Wood, Fingernails, Polymer Clay, Leather, eggshells, glass, acrylic and more! For durability, the foil should be sealed with a protective coating.

The Best Glue Ever™ is excellent ifapplied in a thin coating–use a brush, stamps, or directly fro the bottle tip. Let glue dry to crystal clear before applying foil. (If applied in a super thin coating, it might be dry immediately!) Double-side tape, foil glue, bonding powder, fusible web/iron, heat pen, even a laser printer can also be used.

It’s the quality! ScraPerfect sells professional foils. Lesser quality foils may crack and flake from both the mylar layer before using and after being applied. They are not as durable, and the metallic shine and holographic images are not as crisp and beautiful. (Often, lesser quality foils have a brownish bottom layer as opposed to a prettier silvery coating.)

Durability depends upon a few factors. For one thing, if the adhesive can be removed from the surface, the foil will come off too. And if the foil is exposed to abrasion, it may come off as well. Sealing with a clear coat (nail topcoat, artist polyurethane…) may be necessary. Foil applied to paper, such as cards, will be permanent, as will foil applied to fabric if the adhesive is permanent. (Yes, the Best Glue Ever™ is permanent on fabric.)