T-Shirt Forums banner

foil printing....is this a new process?

26228 Views 49 Replies 33 Participants Last post by  jimcr
HI...just wondering if anyone knows about the print style of foil. This print looks like a metalic something...like foil...usually comes in gold or silver. I see it at department stores on everything right now and my customer would like that print process. Anyone know where to go to get it done or know where/how to get it?
1 - 20 of 50 Posts
As far as I know, it's a two step process. You create a screen, just as you would be doing a silk screen shirt but instead of using plastisol ink, you use a special glue. You would "flash" dry the shirt for a couple seconds until the glue gets tacky. Then, you take the shirt to your heat press, place a foil sheet on top (you can get them at mclogans or any silk screening supply store- they come in rolls of silver or gold) and press it for about 15 seconds. The foil adheres to the glue and not the shirt, and wah-lah! Your design is foiled! :)
  • Like
Reactions: 2
tandami is pretty much correct. One thing you can get all sorts fo foils, not just gold and silver
rainbow, blue, copper, holographic and many many more.
crown royal leaf sells tons.
The glue is a printable adhesive yet you can adhere the foil to regular plasticol. The adhesive works better for us. We get that from International Coatings
  • Like
Reactions: 2
where can i get # for crown royal leaf so i can get product
Tandami - you mention that its the same as a silk screen process, does this mean that u need the regular screen printing supplies or can it be done with a plasitol heat transfer?
neversatisfied said:
Tandami - you mention that its the same as a silk screen process, does this mean that u need the regular screen printing supplies or can it be done with a plasitol heat transfer?
You might be able to do it as an outsourced heat transfer, though I wouldn't bet on it.

It's a two step process: print the glue, then press the foil. You might be able to print the glue to a carrier paper, press it at low heat, then press the foil. Glue being glue though, that might not be possible.

Your best bet would be to ring a couple of transfer printers and ask them.

That said, I assume there's a metallic vinyl on the market anyway, which would give you a similar effect without as much hassle.
Bother First Edition and Silver Mountain Graphics (likely others as well) do offer custom foil transfers. They cost a fair bit more than normal plastisol transfers do, though.
Diffrent types of ink available for dtg i.e.direct to garment

Hi guys i am Neha.... I am making a project on printing... i want to know which diffrent types of ink is available for dtg printers ... is it poss to have plastisole ink and waterbase ink in same printer
the main thing i've learned with foil is that is HAS to cool before you pull the foil off. otherwise you get jagged edges.

Also, when you let the press up after pressing, just let it "pop" and hold it, then let it up slowly. it the press jerks up quickly, it can cause jagged edges, too. from what i've been told, the adhesive gets to the remelt point and wants to come up with the press. slow action lets it cool just that little bit before lifting the press.

good luck!
Can you have foil and Plastsol Ink on the same shirt. If so can you describe how this would be done. Thanks
Can you have foil and Plastsol Ink on the same shirt. If so can you describe how this would be done. Thanks
Yes, but you will need a 'release agent' mixed in with the plastisol so that the foil doesn't bond to it.

Some colors don't work as well as others with this situation, like red. You may need to use a discharge ink instead.


Foiling is a long trial-and-error process, but once you've got it right, you're good to go!
What would be a good precess if using a release agent. Print the adhesive and color / then run thru dyer? / then heat press foil? or dry all on heat press?
Thanks
What would be a good precess if using a release agent. Print the adhesive and color / then run thru dyer? / then heat press foil? or dry all on heat press?
Thanks
You can also use waterbase ink, which foil won't stick to, for the colors in your design, and then use plastisol or the adhesive for the foil portion of the design. You can flash the adhesive/plastisol and the process of applying the foil should cure the waterbase and the plastiosl to it's final cure, if pressed long enough, is that correct? (I'm asking)

What if you do use the release agent, do you final cure the whole design, which means the adhesive is cured as well? Isn't that too much cure theoretically? I'm under the impression that the adhesive is to be flashed, not final cured. So do you just flash the multi color design to touch, and then rely on the heat press for final cure for all colors, that's my long winded question. Phew.
foil is a great effect. my only concern is that it peels and flakes off sometimes with multiple washings.
totally agree .. I always let the customer know that they need to take care of it if they want it to look cool for a while... Its not the most durable...but seems to be the new hotness!
Hello there,

i ve been reading your explication and it help me a lot, But i would love to know WHERE I CAN BUY THE WATERBASE INK ADHESIVE and GOLD FOIL in NEW YORK CITY ( i m a french designer so its not always easy to understand all those technical terms and re-direction on the phone .......

thanks so much for your help.
Hi all!

I plan to invest in a heat press someday soon, however for now I would like to try foil over water based screen printing.

Could use of a home iron get the job done for 1-3 samples?

Thanks in advance!

Rick Q.
i spoke with a guy on the phone today from mclogan, and he said that the iron is not a good idea......because it does t really work
Rabbitonthemoon:

Thanks for checking that out!

I was sooo close to buying the stuff today. :(
Guess I will have to wait a bit.


Rick
OK...still trying to find a way.

Does anyone know how long the period can be between screen printing the adhesive and heat pressing the Foil?

I have a friend who can press the foil for me with a few days. Does that make a difference?

Thanks again, Rick
1 - 20 of 50 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top