There are 2 methods when it comes to foiling, the first one is to print the part of the design which you want foiled in jet black cartridge ink, then put it through the laminator with the foil and the ink becomes sticky when hot causing the foil to stick. Or clean a textile screen and use a glue as you would a paint and then heat press with the foil which can take a little longer.
Having tested and failed the laminator method last year and not want it to re-occur I decided to do it the longer way and prepare a screen.
When first attempting to use the screen to apply the glue to the paper the first error was that the font sizes didn't match, have printed the titles out in black it would be too obvious and the foil wouldn't cover it all. Therefore instead spending another day cleaning a new screen, I decided to reprint the designs without the parts which I'm foiling and then the black ink will defiantly not be shown, this however has wasted more time.
Once re printing the menus I then tried this method again. Screen printing the glue was a very easy and quick way, however because there was no guides and the glue is obviously clear it was at times difficult to make sure the type was lined up and even.
The glue took around 15 minutes to dry, once it was I took the menus to the heat press in the print room to apply the foil. The heat had to be on around 160 and had to be applied to the paper for 12 seconds in order for the foil to stick.
What went well?
On some the foil looks really good and am pleased with the outcome. They make the menus look instantly better and as if more effort has gone in to them making them a better quality piece of work which is what was in the brief.
What went badly?
The amount of time, mainly because of the problem with different type sizes. Also when heat pressing the paper to protect the menus from inks became stuck, ripping off the design. But soon found some greaseproof paper which was a success and worked really well. Also on some of the foiling its not stuck great on the glue, but this is all I can do with the resources which are available.
To consider next time?
Use greaseproof paper to protect the final design, and use a textile screen for the glue, don't bother using black ink just leave the parts to foil blank.
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