Embossed Foil Printing
Your embossing folders and machine can do more than add texture—they can become tools for creative printing! This embossed foil printing technique turns simple materials like packaging and aluminum foil into unique printing plates. You can experiment with a range of media such as watercolors, kid markers, or traditional inks, and print on various surfaces including paper or fabric. Depending on your choice of medium, your results can range from spontaneous to controlled.
To get started, you’ll need aluminum foil, some packaging material, glue, an embossing machine, and a few embossing folders. Just wrap and glue your aluminum foil to your packaging and emboss. If you don’t have embossing tools, you can still create raised textures by gluing twine, lace, burlap, or foam stickers onto your packaging, then pressing foil over the top to reveal the design. Even crumpled foil and a bit of water can produce striking textures and effects.
Mediums that work well with aluminum foil plates include:
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Various inks or water-based mediums
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Gouache
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Acrylic paint
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Alcohol inks
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Powder infusions (like Paper Artsy)
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Alcohol markers
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Kid markers
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Watercolor markers
If you can stamp with it, usually you can print with it—so don’t hesitate to experiment! These foil plates also work beautifully with a gelli plate, allowing you to layer prints for endless variations.
This is an easy and rewarding technique for making custom papers perfect for collage, mixed media, or journaling projects. Try printing on different paper types such as tissue, napkins, sticker sheets, or even fabric. If one surface doesn’t work as expected, simply try another—you’ll often discover surprising results.
A fun, creative process for artists of all ages.
Happy paper crafting!