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Deco Gel Transfer Gel and Foil Review and Silhouette Tutorial

Tell me I am not the only who one has to try out their new crafting toys like now?!  I just got my hands on some of these brand new Deco Foil Transfer Gel. It was barely out of my mail lady's hands and I had the box open and the wheels were spinning on how I could use it with Silhouette!


Deco Foil Transfer Gel Tutorial  Review silhouette cameo
This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

As we've talked about before - you can't craft foil with your Silhouette CAMEO machine - it's just too thin.  But...the Deco Foil Transfer Gel is a brand new product from ThermoWeb - the same company behind Heat N Bond and the pretty Deco Foils.

Basically you smear the Transfer Gel onto a paper-based surface, let it dry and then apply the Deco Foil with heat to set.  It adds just a touch of dimension to foil and is perfect for scrapbook layouts, note cards, paper projects and mixed media.

I decided to use it on a simple note card to test it out.  The first thing you need to do is create a stencil. I designed my stencil in Silhouette Studio - of course making a mock up first. The gradient fills will give you the best foil-like look.

silhouette studio tutorial gradient fill

Be sure to add a box around the stencil design before you cut so you get a border area to help protect the paper that's around the area to be stenciled. I definitely don't want any transfer gel getting on the rest of my paper or the foil will stick to that too!

 With my design sized and ready to go, I cut it on Oracal 631 vinyl.  The indoor matte vinyl is perfect for one-time stencils with paper because it provides a great seal, but is easily removed from paper without any tearing or sticky residue left behind.

When it's finished cutting be sure to weeding OUT the area that you want to eventually foil.
 
vinyl stencil silhouette cameo silhouette tutorial

Next, since I am making a note card, I cut a piece of card stock on Silhouette CAMEO as well. I prefer 110lb card stock.

silhouette cameo 3 autoblade tutorial

Now you're ready to add the vinyl stencil onto your paper.  Use clear transfer tape to pick up the vinyl from the vinyl backing.

That box you drew around the stencil can also be used to help you line up the stencil evenly on your paper. Just use the straight top edge of the box and place it along one of the grid lines on your Silhouette cutting mat. 

silhouette cameo clear transfer tape silhouette studio oracal vinyl
 
Press the top edge of the transfer tape onto the mat while then sliding the paper card piece into position. Use the left side edge along a vertical grid line to make sure it's straight too.

When you're ready, slowly roll down the vinyl stencil.

vinyl on paper silhouette tutorial help ideas

Press it really well onto the paper before carefully removing the transfer tape.

best transfer tape oracal vinyl 651 631

Move the paper with the stencil away from the mat (so you don't get any Deco Foil Transfer Gel on it) while you work.   Use a plastic spoon to put a glob of the transfer gel onto the vinyl area.

deco foil transfer gel review tutorial foils

Then use the straight edge of a plastic knife or a popsicle stick to evenly put the transfer gel across the stencil. It's kind of like screen printing! You can return any extra gel back into the container to limit waste.

Using Deco Foil transfer gel with foils silhouette cameo tutorial

Next CAREFULLY using your Silhouette Hook tool remove the vinyl stencil. 


 Let the transfer gel dry for about an hour.

mixed media paper projects silhouette cameo deco gel

Once the Deco Foil Transfer Gel is dry, you can use either an iron or a heat press to apply the foil.  I swear the hardest part of this project was picking which of these Deco Foil Watercolor Foils to use!

watercolor deco foil craft foil

Lay the paper down on the heat press or firm surface and cover with a sheet of Deco Foil - color side up. Then apply heat and pressure for about 30 seconds.


heat press craft foil

Remove from the heat and let the foil cool before peeling it away.

add foils to paper without minc silhouette cameo tutorial

The foil will stick to the areas with the transfer gel.


 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!


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16 comments

  1. Love this! Question? You say to use an iron or heat press. I have tried foiling with an iron and it doesn't really work. Is there something in the transfer gel that's different from glue?

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  2. I'm wondering if it will work to put it through a laminator. Thanks for this helpful post.

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  3. Love it! What settings were used on the heat press for this?

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  4. Can you put the project thru a laminator to bond the foil?

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  5. Wow. Just Wow. You are pushing me closer to the edge of buying a heat press.

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  6. Nice! Will the gel work on fabric as well?

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  7. So cool! Will the gel work on fabric as well?

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  8. Can a regular iron be successfully used for the Deco Foil?

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  9. I think I'll be waiting a while for the Deco Foil Transfer Gel. I went to Thermo Web's website. The shipping alone is almost as much as the product itself. I'll have to wait til it's available on Amazon.

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  10. Deco Foil Transfer Gel - any good for fabrics?

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  11. Where did you get the Deco Foil Transfer Gel? Thanks and am so excited to try it out. Do you think you could put it on rubber stamps and same outcome?

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  12. Could you run it through your Heidi Swapp Minc machine as well? Or does it need to be an iron or heat press?

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  13. You have shown us before how to put foil on apparel and it works very well. What scenarios would the gel be better than adhesive?

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  14. Thank you for this...I have been dying to use the foils. I was planning on purchasing the system and a laser printer with my tax return but now I don't have too! Yippee I can get a second cameo instead!!!!!

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  15. I'm curious. How have you found it durability wise for both clothing use or for, lets say, a ring dish?

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  16. What is an alternative to the Deco Foil adhesive Gel? I have been searching the web and heard about FlitterGlu, but again want a simple not to expensive one. I only have a wal-mart and a jo Ann's by me. Was hoping that tacky acid free might work or elmer's blue school glue. Any suggestions? What is so different about the first two mentioned that they work better? Thanks in Advance!

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