Foil printing is becoming increasingly popular and is a special variety of fabric design that adds something a little extra to your art. Whatever the color, you can add a little reflective shine to your patterns and make simple text and shapes look really special. So what do you need to know? Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of the printing technique.

How is it applied?

It might look complicated, by applying foil to a shirt is actually relatively straight forward as long as you have the right equipment. The foil is first of all printing and cut using special glue and a press. Then, the colored foil is stuck to the fabric using a heat press.

What color foil is available?

The most common foil colors are gold and silver, but there are lots of other options, too. Specifically, you can choose between black, red, blue, green, copper, gold and silver. And, if you’re looking for a custom color, those are available too. Shiny or matte, foil can be any shade you like.

Is foil on fabric long lasting?

As long as the foil is applied properly, it will remain on the fabric for a very long time. Do be aware, however, that the shine from the foil will fade a little every time you wash it, which is why many people choose to hand wash fabrics decorated with foil.

Can I combine foil and water based ink?

Absolutely you can! Water based ink can easily be combined with foil. It is common for water based ink designs to be printed on fabric and then highlight with foil. The foil can even be applied over ink, should it need to.

Are there any important things to remember when printing foil?

There are a few things you need to remember when it comes to choosing designs that incorporate foil. Take a look at these four simple points:

  1. Foil always breaks down over time and fades, so when designing with foil, try and make it look a little distressed from the beginning. This will keep the design intact for longer, and even add an interesting element to your pattern and art.
  2. Foil cannot be applied all over a tee shirt, just on select areas. Use it as a way to highlight an ink design and you’ll get the best results.
  3. It’s difficult to print foil on the front and back of a shirt – and it typically looks a little much anyway. So, be sure to decide first whether you want your design to be seen from the front or the back.
  4. Remember that foil prints on fabric will look different in real life to photographs. A camera can’t quite catch the color perfectly, particularly with shiny foil.
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Foil Printing: The Most Common Questions Answered
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Foil Printing: The Most Common Questions Answered
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Foil printing is becoming increasingly popular and is a special variety of fabric design that adds something a little extra to your art.
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BELLA+CANVAS
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