OUGD406 - Speaking From Experience: Gold Foiling

Foiling is the process by which a metallic finish is applied to a solid surface via the reaction between gold foil and printed toner-pigment when introduced to a source of heat.

I will be using the following process to foil the time motivational quote cards. Via the addition of this evident craftsmanship and luxury, I hope to be able combat the 'throw-away' insignificance typically associated with the leaflets, flyers and posters that are handed to students during the preliminary few weeks at university in such an abundance that they are overlooked and disregarded. An anticipate the foiling will also enhance the visual communication of the important elf time through the established connotations of gold and its associated perceptions.

Equipment:

• 300gsm smooth white paper.
• Black A4 laser-printed design.
• Gold heat transfer toner foil.
• 2 sheets of plain A4 paper.
• Laminator.
• Scissors.


Step One

Start by sourcing the visual you wish to foil. It should be a solid black shape, silhouette or line. Once selected, scale to your desired size on an A4 sheet of paper before printing. The design must be laser printed for the foil transfer to be successful.

Step Two

With your design printed, you may now choose to cut down your paper if required. Following this, place your design facing upwards on to another sheet of A4 paper.

Step Three

Cut out a piece of foil large enough to entirely cover the black information you have printed. Place it metallic-side up on top of your design.

Step Four

Ensuring not to move the gold foil underneath, another piece of plain A4 paper should be carefully laid on top - sandwiching the design and foil between this and the bottom sheet of paper.

Step Five

The layers of paper should now be fed through a pre-heated laminator. Here, the foil will be transferred via heat on to the black laser-printed information. Repeat this step to ensure maximum
coverage is achieved.

Step Six

Wait a short period of time for the papers to cool before delicately peeling away the gold foil...and voila! You should now have your very own D.I.Y gold-foiled design. 


By following the above process, I have been able to provide a finish to the motivational cards that will given them an aesthetic to be admired and therefore kept by students as apposed to being thrown away along with the standard pieces of student material given out. 

Before:

After: