DIY Gold Foil Business Cards
When you’re bootstrapping your own business, every dollar counts. Not only am I bootstrapping, but there are many things about putting together a business that I do not know how to do. I looked into companies to print my business cards for me, and I was either going to get a design that was not my own, or I wasn’t sure how to relay specific instructions to the company, as to how I want my cards printed.
I decided to make my own business cards. That way, I have the cards I need the way I want them, and I have a sample if I need to have cards printed by someone else in the future.
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Materials
For this project, you will need the following materials…
A laser printer (if you don’t have a laser printer, there’s another way I’ll talk about at the end)
A computer with graphics software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Canva
How To
Step 1- Create outlines of the cards
Start out generating the mock up on your computer. I use Adobe Illustrator for graphics, because the layering tool is helpful in printing individual sections.
The standard business card measures at 3.5” X 2” so create some guides to cut out your cards later. I recommend having your guides in the leftover margin so the guide lines don’t show up on your cards when you cut them.
Step 2- Create your design
After you’ve created your guides, make your card design. 3.5” X 2” makes 12 cards on a standard sheet of Cardstock.
Step 3- Layer, Layer, Layer
If you layer your graphics properly, you can turn off individual parts of your design with a simple click. Make sure you have the pieces that you want the foil to adhere to on its own layer.
Step 4- Print “to be foiled” sections
Turn off all the layers, except the one you want your foil on, and print that part onto your cardstock using your laser printer.
Step 5- Foil it up
Make sure your laminator is on and hot. The the hotter you get it, the better your foil will adhere. However, you don’t want it too hot, the standard cardstock can’t handle too high heat. Place the foil, color side up, onto your printed images and run it through the laminator. If the foil wrinkles up, it will not adhere to the spots where the foil has raised. There is a folder you can purchase here that will help keep the foil from wrinkling and keep it in place while it is feeding into the laminator (and I really wish I had one of these when I ran the first batch through).
Once the paper comes out, pull off the foil, and VOILA!, you have all your foiled sections.
The foil didn’t adhere completely to my first batch because the laminator wasn’t hot enough, but I kind of like the effect it made, because my logo is supposed to look like a stamp.
Step 6- Turn on other layers
Go back into your graphics program turn on all the other layers you didn’t print. Also, make sure you turn off the layers that you already printed, otherwise it will print over your beautiful foil.
Step 7- Print the rest
Put your foiled sheet back into your printer tray. If you want to print a test sheet to make sure which way you need to reload the paper, do so. Once you’re sure which way the sheet goes, print the rest of the card design.
Step 8- Cut it out
I used a guillotine cutter, like the one here, to ensure a straight cut. Otherwise, if you have a steady hand, a scissors will work. Use the guides you created in the margins to keep you uniformed sizes.
Step 9- Hand them out
Give your beautiful new cards out! Your talents are meant to be shared with the world!
If You Don’t Have a Laser Printer
There are a couple ways you can create great foil cards with your inkjet, and a modification to the steps above. I haven’t tried these myself, but have heard about it working well from other crafters.
Variation 1- A stamp with transfer adhesive
If, like me, your logo is the only thing you want foiled, or some other small area, you can apply Deco foil transfer gel to your rubber stamp and foil those areas. The best parts about this method is- 1. You can print the entire image and add foil over it. 2. You don’t need a laminator.
Variation 2- Toner paint
There is a toner paint by Minc, where you can paint individual sections over your printed image. After the paint has dried, place the foil on top, and run it through your laminator, and the design' is complete. This method requires a steady hand to paint on the details, and it could take the longest. If you use a stencil, it could definitely speed up the process.