Aluminum Foil Crafts

As a professional scrapbook artist, paper crafter, and author, I have taught people how to turn family memories into legacies for 20 years.

Aluminum In Your Paper Crafts

Who would have thought to use foils in embossing folders to add extra dimension to greeting cards? There are so many delightful colors to add that touch of glamour to your cards.

Who would ever think of recycling aluminum for paper crafts? I would for sure. But there are a lot of us who like the glitzy touch that aluminum brings to our cards, scrapbook pages, and art journals.

Aluminum foil is the more reasonable alternative to more pricey foils. But either way, you are going to get stunning results without a lot of effort

The aluminum foil will mold to the embossing folder molds around the detail of the embossing folder. You can choose to use either the dull side of the shiny side. It's up to you!

You can use any embossing machine-manual or electric. Just follow the manufacturer's directions for the sandwich in your machine. Learn more about embossing and embossing folders here.

One thing to consider, especially when making greeting cards with aluminum foil is the durability of the foil. Even heavy-duty foil will crinkle on a card when handled or mailed. So you will want to use multiple layers of foil so that the card retains its shape and design.

Prep The Foil

Tear off a piece of clean aluminum foil that is a little wider and taller than the embossing folder that you are using. It does not have to be perfect. You can always trim it later.

The foil has two sides-a dull sides and a shiny side. You can emboss whichever side you like.

You can fold a large sheet of heavy-duty foil (about an 18" strip ), in half three times to get 8 layers. Try between 6-8 layers to see what works best for you. A single layer of aluminum foil, even the heavy-duty kind, may get squished in the mail. So, consider using multiple layers on each card.

You want the piece of foil to be slightly larger than the size of the embossing foil.

Aluminum Foil Layers

How To Emboss Aluminum Foil

Supplies

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• Embossing folder
• Piece of card stock the size of your embossing folder
• Piece of the double-sided adhesive sheet the same size as your card
• Piece of aluminum kitchen foil sized to card stock

Directions

1. Remove one side of the backing of the double-sided adhesive sheet
   
2. Attach that side of the adhesive sheet to the card stock
3. Remove the other side of the adhesive sheet
4. Place the aluminum foil on the adhesive sheet, dull side down
5. Run through your embossing machine, using the embossing sandwich specified by the manufacturer
6. Remove the paper and foil from the embossing folder.
7. Cut to fit your card

Aluminum Foil Embossing With An Index Card

You can use less aluminum foil by embossing it using an index card as a backer.

1. Cut a piece of aluminum foil a little larger than the index card.
2. Spray the index card with a light mist of spray adhesive
3. Wrap the foil around the back of the card.
4. Lay the foil-covered index card in the embossing folder.
5. Place it between the correct plates for your machine and run it through your Embossing and Die Cut Machine.

Stamping On Embossed Foil

Embossing Foil Tape

Metallic foil tape can most often be found in the hardware section of a store rather than in the craft aisle. It is not like duct tape though. The foil tape has a backing that you peel off to adhere to a card. It can be die cut or embossed.

Making a greeting card using this material is easy and fun.

Supplies

• Foil tape
• Card stock
• Embossing folder

1. Trim the card stock to the size of the embossing folder
2. Cut strips of the foil tape to fit the piece of the cardstock
3. Carefully apply each strip of foil tape to fit the card stock pulling off the backing as you go.
4. Flatten each tape carefully with a bone folder.
5. Make sure that there is no space between the lines of tape
6. Trim off excess edges of the tape
7. Place the card stock with the foil tape into the embossing folder. Close the lid of the folder.
8. Run it through the embossing machine of your choice, following the directions for embossing folders

Embossed Tin Foil Without An Embossing Folder

This gives the foil a forged metal look. It is perfect for a more masculine look

Supplies

• Aluminum foil
• Light cardboard or card stock
• Decoupage glue (like Mod Podge)
• A small paint brush
• Dark color acrylic paint or metallic paint

Directions

1. Cut a piece of card stock or light cardboard
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil larger than the paper piece
3. Crumple the aluminum foil making a ball in your hand
4. Straighten out the foil
5. Cover the piece of paper or card stock with decoupage glue
6. Place the crumpled foil on top of the paper, pressing gently
7. Allow to dry
8. With a small paint brush, apply either the dark acrylic paint or the metallic paint over the foil
9. Wipe off with a paper towel
10. Allow to dry

Coloring On Foil

Did you know that you can actually color on your embossed foil back grounds?

Alcohol markers and inks are your best bet. But remember, you need to have a very light hand when coloring these projects. Test the markers that you have on a scrap piece of aluminum foil before you give it a try.

• Stick to just a few colors to highlight. Adding too many colors will only add confusion to your piece.
• Start with the light color first so that you do not contaminate your darker color nibs.
• Try to use a brush tip if you can with a very light touch. Leaning too much into the design will just flatten it

You can also paint, stain and distress your embossed foils. Just apply them by rubbing with your finger after you drop a few drops of the ink on the foil.

Color Your Embossed Aluminum Foil

Foil Embossing With Stencils

Supplies

• Aluminum foil
• Paper stump
• Stencil

Directions

1. Place the aluminum foil on top of the stencil
2. Secure with nonstick tape
3. Rub with the paper stump until you see the design

Foiled Holiday Card

More Foil Embossing Ideas

• DIY Antiqued Foil Monograms | Something to be Savored
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• Moments of Tranquility... by Natasha Naranjo Aguirre: Embossed Foil Letters Tutorial
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• Embossed Metal Foil Tape By Becky Olsen - the CLASSroom
  I have been on a bit of an embossing kick, it is because I am enjoying those Tim Holtz Texture Fades so much. This project also uses a few more products that are unique that lend themselves to a luxurious,...
• How to Emboss with Aluminum Foil- Free Pattern!
  I love the look of 3 dimensional art and metal embossing is a fun way to come up with a unique project. This week, I took one of my older patterns, Holiday Partridge, and made her into a brilliant foil embossed piece of art. This easy DIY project is

Creating An Aluminum Foil Embossing With Yarn Or String

There is a lot of detail with this project. No real tools are necessary. The first thing to consider is to find a picture or coloring page that has a lot of detail. There are many free images on the browser that you use. Just type in free adult coloring pages. When you find the image that you like, print in it black ink on medium-weight cardstock.

This is a nice project that you can do with a child. Just pick a simple picture as age appropriate.

Supplies

• 9" by12" medium to heavyweight cardstock
• 9" by 12" medium cardboard
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Printed image of your choice
• Glue Sticks
• White Glue
• Yarn
• Pencil eraser tip or embossing ball
• Permanent Markers

Directions

1. Print out the image of your choice
2. Center it on a piece of cardboard and use glue sticks to stick it down.
3. Chose one line on your image and trace the line with the white glue
4. Lay the yarn on the lines of glue
5. Cover the complete pattern of your image with the yarn
6. Allow drying completly
7. Once the picture is dry, cut a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil slightly larger than the size of the picture.
8. Carefully crumble the aluminum foil in your hands several times.
9. Open the aluminum foil to its full size.
10. Cover the entire picture with a thin coat of white glue.
11. Cover the image with the aluminum foil
12. Press it down into the hills and valleys of the picture
13. Use a pencil eraser or a small ball embossing tool to press the foil into the glue.
14. Once the foil is placed the way you would like it, use the markers to color the valleys of the image
15. Allow the project to dry.

What To Do With The Embossed Foil

Once you have embossed aluminum foil with embossing folders you need to decide what to do with the embossed pieces.

1. Use them on a greeting card as a background or partial background. They will brighten up any card that you use them on.
2. Die Cutting is another option. You can make amazing embellishments for all of your paper crafting projects. If you die cut a couple of layers together, the die will pinch the two layers making them as one.

Embossing Aluminum Foil Without An Embossing Folder

• Aluminum Foil Embossing – mrs. jigg
  Create embossed metallic art with aluminum foil.

How To Color Aluminum Foil

You can create your own-colored aluminum foil in just a few easy steps. It is simple and more than likely you have the supplies in your craft stash already.

There are so many ways to use this colored aluminum foil:

• Holiday projects
• Craft jewelry
• Create embossed greeting cards
• Collages
• Mosaics
• In a junk journal
• In an art journal

Supplies:

• Aluminum foil
• A plastic palette or a paper plate
• White glue or clear liquid glue
• Liquid dishwash soap
• Food coloring
• Paint brush

1. Cut the aluminum foil in sections
2. Pour white glue or clear liquid glue into a cup or container. For about a tablespoon of glue, add 2-3 drops of food coloring and a drop of liquid dishwash soap.
3. Mix well. Make more colors of glue by repeating Step 2 with various colors of food coloring
4. Use the colored glue mixture to paint on the aluminum foil's shiny side.
5. Color as many aluminum foil sections as you like. Set aside to dry.

One Final Idea

Need More Inspiration?

• A Paper Craft Workshop
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© 2018 Linda F Correa