Frugal Foiling with Mod Podge (or other glues/gels)

Frugal Foiling with Mod Podge (or other glues/gels)
I heard about a new product called a "foil transfer gel" and I was interested in trying it...until I saw the price AND it turned out that you needed a laminator to make it work so I decided before forking over $9 for a tiny jar of that I'd see if I could use what I have to make it work!
Supplies (affiliate links might be used)
Gloss Mod Podge: amzn.to/2BKBlJo (or try any acrylic gel/glue you have before buying new)
Cardstock
Hot Transfer foil-I used the Minc kind from Heidi Swapp: amzn.to/2U1uqmw
Laminator (if using heat method) amzn.to/2DUwVQw
Stencil: amzn.to/2TTkZoN
Stencil brush: amzn.to/2IpuhaS
Parchment paper: amzn.to/2Ngwvsa
There are two different ways to foil with mod-podge.
The first way is to paint or stencil a design on your surface and place the foil in the wet glue and let dry completely before removing the sheet.
The other way id the paint or stencil the design and let the mod podge dry completely and then run it through a laminator with the foil sheet on it in a folded piece of baking parchment. This give you a more solid foil design.
If you have any glues or gels that tend to be a bit tacky when dry they will work too. Have fun with this frugal idea!
Frugal Foiling with Mod Podge (or other glues/gels)
#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art
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[@melissasue19681]

Wow! I have a roll of that foil and never knew what it was or how to use it. I also have an old laminator and mod podge! Look out fun! Here I come!!

[@carolfrazer8067]

Hey Lindsay, I've been foiling for years. Started doing it when Aleene had her show on Saturday mornings. I use Aleene's Tack It Over & Over glue. Whatever I want to foil I put a thin coat of the glue down and I let it dry. Then I take the foil and I put it on top of the glue. No need to send through the laminator. I know several people have said not to use an iron. Well, I've done the iron trick. It works, but you must keep your iron at medium heat, no steam. But what works better is a hair straightener. Yup, I have my daughter's old one. Works just fine. I also have the curling plates that fit onto the straightener. It makes interesting shapes.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Carol Frazer: Useful tips and suggestions, Carol! Tfs! ✨😃👍🏾

[@sherrywoods4630]

Great tip to use the Aleene’s Tack it Over and Over! Even easier than Mod Podge and laminator. Thanks!

[@sunnycharacter]

Amazing. And THANK YOU for not calling it “Modge” Podge! Lol

[@susanroper8024]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ LOVE QUICK TUTORIALS!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@artisticthoughtsbyelena]

I really appreciate your video. I saw an idea with Pebeo gold leaves, and I thought when I ordered it on Amazon, that it came with the glue. Wrong. I checked the prices for the glue they recommend, and its over 10 bucks. I have a hard time, spending that on a tiny tube. So, I did a search and found you. Now I don't have a laminator, but I am so glad to see the affects you got. Beautiful. Thank you. I will subscribe, in the event you do more work....

[@starlineks]

I don't know how I missed this video last year. I experimented a few days ago with mod podge and my foil. I also tried varnish, embossing powder, and masters touch gel medium. My best was masters touch, dried, then thru the laminator. I was feeling inspired by Lindsay to use what I have. Love your videos.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

Finally a way to use my Mod Podge. I have tried using it for other applications and never was satisfied with the results because it never seems to dry. It seems to stay tacky and I don't like the feeling of it. This, however, makes the tackiness useful. Thank you for this idea.

[@olderendirt]

I didn't know ModPodge could be heat activated. Good to know. This is going to be fun to experiment with. Thanks, Lindsay.

[@pokey3010]

OMG Lindsay this is awesome!!! NO expensive heating tool either!! Thanks so very much i have everything for this, you are the "Frugalist" lol awesome art teacher! I am so excited to try this! Thanks so much

[@kimcondas]

Super, quick tip, and it’s great to see foiling done with what I’ve got on hand! Love your videos, Lindsay!

[@debratylus9426]

Love this idea

[@4mytht]

These are videos I miss the most from you. I tried my hand at water color, but it's not me. I did give a serious go at it and I just was not feeling it. But I'm glad to see this video in your line up. Thanks and keep up the best channel ever.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

thank you! I was worried that is wasn't "enough" of a video to post but I am glad people like it!

[@azzuparis]

What a great and simple way to make some gorgeous cards. Thanks, Lindsay 😀

[@chelseysmith6112]

I was JUST searching for a transfer gel alternative the other day and BOOM your tutorial popped right up as a recommendation today. I loved the tutorial AND that it went through the laminator with ease. Thank you for this!

[@HuckleberryHA]

Great tip Lindsay, Thanks. God Bless Cathy

[@mjgeltz8842]

Thanks so much. I love to find ways to create with what I already have. More videos like this please!

[@sherrywoods4630]

Yay!! I have Mod Podge and everything else I need to give it a try. Thanks, Lindsay!

[@kristinevencel2898]

This is very interesting since I didn’t know mod podge could be heated for foiling. I don’t have any mod podge but I do have transfer gel, which I love. Thank you so much for sharing this info and teaching me something I didn’t know!

[@karenpage946]

The advantage of the foil transfer gel is the consistency. You can spread it with a palette knife through a stencil without it seeping under and giving you a sloppy result. It also allows you to scrape the excess off for a smooth finish. The resulting foil is as smooth as professional results. I'm all for saving a couple dollars here and there, but I don't mind paying for a product when its the best choice for the application. Besides, you use so very little per project as the excess goes back in the jar. I bought mine on Blitsy, and the Therm O Web/iCraft brand goes on sale fairly often if you actually used an entire jar or needed foils in more colors.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hi Karen, I tried this gain with my soho gloss gel again last night scraping it across the stencil and it worked perfectly. I think the first time I tried it I let it dry too long, this time I put the foil on it and ran it through the laminator just after it dried and it was perfect! I even scraped come of the gel on cardstock and put the leftover piece on foil with the negative design o the wet gel and left it overnight and peeled it off when dry and got a great impression with no heat. I think the thicker gels work better with stencils and painting or drawing a design with the mod podge (or just using a regular stencil bristle brush and not a foam one) will give you a more professional result. I'll share the foil backgound (it's teacup desin from visible image) on an upcoming card video if you are curious to see the result.

[@karenpage946]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks for the follow up! I look forward to seeing the results of your experimentation :-)

[@SandpaperRoad]

Love this! See... that’s why I love your videos. Always just straight up awesome advice. I love trying the technique itself before I invest in all the stuff for it. That way I can see if it’s a technique I will use often or not. Your videos have helped me with this so much over the years. Thank you! 😊

[@jaynegarrity8621]

Whey hey, another fantastic money saver. Thanks so much!

[@MsSoozy]

Nice and easy to do, although I don't have a laminator, so a heat gun or iron. Thanks for sharing Lindsay!! :)

[@bellapopish7584]

Thank you for sharing and saving money. I would have never thought of mogpog.

[@annettefournier9655]

What is this magic!?!? I'll have to look up transfer foil. Oooo, shiny sparkly. How cool is THAT. Thanks Lindsay. 😁👍💙

[@leannemitchem8865]

Great technique Lindsay! Thank you for sharing!

[@susantucker2068]

Thanks!

[@livingformeandlookingtofuture]

Lindsay, this is awesome. Thank you so much!!! 😃😁 I have the ~We R Memory Keepers~ Foil Heat Pens (Standard and Calligraphy) plus tons of different colored foil. Now, I know that even without a laminator I can create beautiful foil art with ~Mod Podge~. Can't wait to try this method out.

[@SammiJarrad]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing Lindsay!! 😁💜👍🏻

[@elaine.larkinlanecreations]

That was fun. I have a sticky embossing paper that I have used with foil before.

[@traveldreamer4616]

Thank you for this tip. Love to foil, but dislike the cost of the gel.Awesome.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Aww, thank you so much. I wondered if it was "enough" of a video to post but you comment is a reminder that everything dosnt have to be a big ordeal:)

[@sharonschaefer5575]

Thank you for sharing that awesome technique. I will try it. Have a great day

[@lindawoodmore9181]

Thanks for the tip, just bought 2oz of Tacky when Dry for $12. Mod Podge will be my way to go from now on.

[@michelegourd5742]

Thanks for sharing that's great to know!!

[@cherylhelm4282]

I use a spray adhesive, it works fantastic 👍

[@cyndiagilbert6216]

Good to know! Thanks for the video, I’m a visual learner!

[@elizabethgoodhand7828]

Thank you Lindsey I like foiling but the small jar of transfer gel was so expensive and doesn’t go very far I wondered if I would be able to continue to do it.

[@sondrabrown442]

Awesome tip, thanks Lindsay!

[@chrissymcdonald8846]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Lindsay ive been paying over the top for transfer gel so stopped this technique! Can start again now👍👍😍tfs, time and creativity x

[@Elizabeth45840]

Awesome video! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[@cathywhitney8194]

Great tip Lindsay!

[@SusanHilesArt]

Such a great tip! And it looks so pretty.

[@LindaMagruderArt]

This is an awesome technique Very pretty. Love watching your videos!

[@battygirlrachel]

Thanks for the quick tip!

[@beckerohio58]

Wow! Good to know, thanks!

[@lindarc8860]

Wow! Great cost saver, will give this a try.

[@MsCurliegirlie]

This is an AMAZING idea! Thank you so much! ☺️💕

[@dolphinlover2]

great video

[@andrealavigne7824]

Thank you for this quick tip, Lindsay!!! I think my Mod Podge dried out (just from not using it), but I do have some decoupage medium that's a different brand. (Or was it the Mod Podge that is still good and the other that dried out??? Can't remember--sheesh! LOL) Anyway, I may give it a go. I also found that leafing glue works well with foil, too. I got a bottle at Hobby Lobby--with coupon, of course. I didn't bother with my Minc for that--just daubed it with a foam makeup applicator wedge through a stencil, let it dry until it was tacky, then burnished the foil on. Works well with gilding flakes, too. Anyway, thanks again! Have a great day, & stay warm! :)

[@janevincent7103]

Nice.

[@jackiejohnson7158]

What a great tip! Thanks 😊

[@Linda-qq5mg]

You always get a thumbs up from me!! I love your videos!

[@mrsdagostino]

Thank you so much can't wait to try!

[@TheSuzyfick]

Can you use an Iron or flat iron if you dont have a laminate

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I imagine so, I heat gun will work on small areas. If ironing be sure to use parchament paper to keep it from sticking.

[@suestenstream3041]

Great!!..that was my question exactly!! And thank you Linsay for your answer!

[@carolfrazer8067]

You can use an iron on medium heat. No steam. I don't have parchment paper. I use an old piece of fabric. Works just fine. The other thing you can use is a hair straightener.

[@lechat8736]

@@carolfrazer8067 Thank you, Carol. Much appreciated :)))

[@Melissa_Melissa_503]

Great tip. Since you did not like the foam brush what sort of applicator would you suggest?

[@deborahrusignuolo7612]

Wow great tip thank you for sharing.

[@DarkisArt]

Wow great tip! 👍💜

[@GinaLovestocraft]

Great idea thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RainorShine1]

I would like you to use the transfer gel deco foil duo as you dont need a lamator you can use your die cut machine for pressure. Its new so no one has showed it put 1 person Jennifer mcquire. If it works that would be cool

[@rtd1791]

Super cool. I too have balked at the price of transfer gel. This is excellent information to have. Thanks. Is it the heat or the pressure that makes the foil transfer? Both? I don’t have much experience heating up Mod Podge. I’ve been using laser prints for foil. I do like foiling better when it’s a bit distressed so this technique is perfect for me. I like to smear foiling glue around gel prints so there’s just little glints of it. I don’t like massive smooth planes of the stuff. It’s too much. You are the MacGyver of the crafty world so maybe you can help me figure out how to do something. My kid has an Ever After High coloring book that is printed on watercolor paper that has been selectively foiled. I’m trying to workout how to do that. So far I’ve gotten foil in too many places when I try foiling just parts. I’m sure the coloring book is printed in layers, but I don’t see how that would work at home. Any ideas?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Try a Quickie Glue Pen (it is about $3) and color the areas you want to foil, let the glue dry (it will go clear and be sticky) and press the color you want on each section.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh, and it is more the heat than pressure cuz a heat tool works as well but it is hard to get a whole area heated so the laminator is easier

[@donnawright5749]

Great idea..

[@sugarcitygyal9841]

Your welcome

[@jamiwomack2129]

OMG so cool. Now I need a laminator ;0

[@stacyamazedbylife7508]

Check on Amazon. I picked up a laminator for foiling use just two months ago and I think it was $19.99. it was one of the cheapest ones they had, and it works!

[@jamiwomack2129]

@@stacyamazedbylife7508 Thanks will definitely do that.

[@joyfulldj]

now where did my laminator go?!!

[@ujalapaints]

This is really helpful! But what if we are using foil on the canvas and can't use laminator, using iron would be fine or not? Kindly reply

[@mimistrzelewicz9246]

This is so cool. If I don’t have a laminator, will a regular iron work?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

it should

[@sugarcitygyal9841]

Very nice

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Can you use an iron and a Teflon baking sheet/craft mat, instead of a laminator?? Tfs, Lindsay!!😘✨👍🏾

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes

[@ideala786]

Hi Lindsay. Love all your videos. Wonder if you can help me out. I’ve searched all over for the answer but can’t find it and then I thought of you as your so good at all this. So I want to use the imitation gold/silver leaf on a raised texture kinda thing. If you look up lucy claw you will know what I mean. Any help would be so appreciated. Xxx

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You want leafing adhesive, it is a glue that dries tacky. You can sponge it in the raised areas

[@ideala786]

thefrugalcrafter hi. Thanks for getting back to me so quick. I don’t think that would work by painting over the lines. Did u manage to look at the work Lucy claw does and you will no what I mean. I think she makes some sort of paste and pipes it out either thickly or thin lines and then adds the gold leaf once she’s done the whole piece. She must be using something that’s in the mixture if you get me. Sorry if I’m being a pain xx

[@blubnt49]

Could you just use an iron to activate glue still using parchment paper?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yup

[@anitaholmes6824]

This got my juices going! LOL problem is, I don't have foil but do have a laminator, so the question is, can I use something other than the foil? I love the results! Thanks for sharing!

[@ArtsiRosi]

OMG THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS TIP!! Are modge podge and Liquitex matte medium interchangeable?

[@heidimlsb3530]

Shoot, I wish I knew this before I bought the deco foil gel!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh! How is it?

[@heidimlsb3530]

I think it works very well!

[@giftdiva8506]

Neat trick! I'm going to give that a try!

[@ebyn77]

This is awesome!

[@doubleblessings-royalcrowr1669]

I have jugs of sonogram gel. I bought from a clearance auction. I still dont know what to use it for. Ideas?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

hmmm, I bet it will work as a slow dry medium for acrylics.

[@shannonj4415]

Do you know if instead of using a laminator, will a heat press work? I don’t have a laminator but plan on getting one. Just wasn’t sure if I could get good results with that mean while

[@matilda2]

Thank you. Would pva glue work?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It should

[@Melissa_Melissa_503]

Will mod podge work with gold flakes?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm not sure, test a sample.

[@giovannacasadio9600]

Do you think any PVA glue would work? As here in Italy it is difficult to get mod podge .

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes

[@giovannacasadio9600]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks a lot

[@cherryshrimp4120]

That was really cool. I love foil art, it's so beautiful. Is there anything I could do as I don't have a laminator?, but I have a few bottles of different modge podge including original. So do you think the parchment paper thing would work if I went over it with an iron on a very low heat?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

use an iron on high/dry setting

[@cherryshrimp4120]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you for you reply and advice.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

Is ModPodge archival?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hey! I love your work! Mod podge us a PVA glue so it's as archival as any PVA (which is not as archival as an acrylic because I think either the vinyl or acetate can off-gas overtime under a paint layer (and maybe cause cracking of a paint layer) but as a glue for collage it should be fine. I'd top coat with a polycrylic sealer as the gloss Mod podge can get tacky in humid because It Is not a final finish. Hope it helps! Gloss and matte acrylic medium is a better bet for fine art applications but for crafts and furniture this is a great product!

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

@@thefrugalcrafter ahhh makes sense. I have just always wondered and have never been able to find out for sure! I used gel medium as glue but appreciated this video for the foil. I want to use it in finished art though, so not with the laminator.

[@ElizabethStHilaire]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks so much !

[@melvinnieves1964]

Did you try with matte mod podge?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didnt, it will for sure work with the wet method but if you want to do the laminator you might want to foul it just after it goes clear for best tesulys. The reason I recommend gloss mod podge is because it always seems to have a bit of grab to it when dry especially in warm humid climates

[@melvinnieves1964]

thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich thank you for the info. From PR

[@jsquared5evaalsocas830]

hi lindsay! thanks so muchfor sharing this! Mod podge is quite expensivewhere ilive, would 3d matte medium work? the kind that you use to adhere 3d embellishments? TIA x

[@thefrugalcrafter]

it should (glossy stuff tends to be stickier tho) give it a try, it will definitely work on the wet method if not with the laminator.

[@jsquared5evaalsocas830]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks!

[@karenraabis5296]

Can you use an iron or do you have to have a laminators

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can use an iron or even heat tool but the heat tool is best for small areas

[@bastet469]

Soooo Cool! Mod Podge is a true multi-tasker! 👍🏼 I have a non-related question and I hope it's ok to post it here. If it isn't, I'll be happy to remove it. 😁 I'm considering buying a sewing machine (new or used). I just watched your How to Operate a Sewing Machine video in hopes you might have some tips on choosing a good one. But alas, it was not to be. So, what model would you suggest for beginners? My plan was to use it for small projects like zipper pouches to hold my art supplies. However, thanks to my ridiculously long arms and legs, I also need to be able to let out the hems on sleeves and pant legs. Perhaps you could do a buying guide video or a roundup of various models. With the economy as bad as this one, I'll bet a lot of people want to get a sewing machine so they can repair their clothes instead of buying new ones. 💵💵💵💰💰💰

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I really don't know much about different brands. I suggest going to a dealer for advice. I recommend against the machines sold at big box stores rbo, they don't last.

[@bastet469]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks for the tip! 😁