Hi, friends! This past week I have been testing out a new tool from our shop called the Minc. It's a gold foil machine you can use at home. I wasn't sure what to expect, but after testing it out, I am pretty hooked! Laura and I are kind of geeking out about all the things we can make with this thing.
So, I'll just quickly run you through what it does and how it works.
First, I just want to note that this tool is a significant investment, and the reason we decided to carry it is because it's something that we (as people who DIY a lot) would totally buy. It's one of those things where it's way more worth it if you know you'll use it a lot!
The gold (and other metallic colored) foils come in sheets. It is like very very thin plastic. You just cut out however much you need for each project. The foil will only adhere to laser printer ink (I think it is the carbon in the ink?). That means you'll have to run to a place with a laser printer (which is basically any standard copy machine, most home printers are inkjet). We went ahead and bought a cheap laser printer just so we could save trips, and it works just fine.
I am also going to test using a carbon pen with my own handwriting. I'm pretty sure it will work because I had a machine similar to this in the past. I'll let you know if it does!
The instructions it comes with (and sample tags to try) make it super easy to figure out. So I won't type out every single step, but basically—it's easy and it works. After your foil adheres, it looks something like this—
Pretty cool, huh?! I used the Ban.do sticky note set to print on.
You can pre-order a Minc here. I'll definitely use it in future scrapbooking and DIY projects! 🙂 xx. Elsie
PS— We just released some awesome Messy Book stuff in the shop! Click here to see our brand new cool tabs, plastic alphas and page dividers. I'll share more ways to use them in my post next week!
38 Comments
Awesome! A really cool thing!
http://pinchblack.blogspot.com
That is really cool.
hi elsie, i would like to share with you a little disapointment! first of all i have bought a lot of what you do (simply because i love it!!!), your 2 books, your app, your agenda, an e-course, i subscribed happy mail and messy box (really love both of them and couldn’t choose!).Since you made me want to scrapbook everything, i really wanted to buy your messy books and a lot of things you have to offer! But honestly the price for international shipping (i’m French) is reaaally high! like if i buy just one messy book around 31$ i’ll have to pay around 28$ for shipping, it almost double the price of anything! I don’t really understand cause i was so amazed by the low price of happy mail and messy box shipping! I’m really sad not to be able to buy anything from your shop! How does shipping works? and is there any solutions to make the price lower? thanks a lot for reading this and have a beautiful sunday. BTW scrapbook sunday are my favorit posts!
sooo cute!
I am SO not tech-y. Are the cannon photo printers considered laser printers?
Ah that’s so cool! There something exciting about adding shiny-ness to DIY projects lol!
http://styledbystephb.blogspot.co.uk/
So cute, now i want one!
My Make-Up Collection + SWATCHES
Wouldn’t it be the heat that makes the foil adhere ? Laser printer do “cook” the powder ink on paper with heat.
AMAZING! I feel like I would foil everything!
Next week you should do something with the attacher stickers because they come in pretty colors but I am baffled as to what they are or how to use them.
Awesome idea to make getting creative easier!
I’ll definitely be buying one of these for my DIY projects. I have so many art prints and other things I could use this printer for! Thanks for sharing, ladies.
The minc ist pretty cool!
Oh my, this looks so neat!!! Gonna have to look into getting one of these.
Christine
http://www.DimesandDonuts.com
Well, that’s pretty fantastic.
That turned out great! I would love to try it out. 🙂
Woah! That is awesome!!!
http://www.itgirlnextdoor.com
Scrapbook Sunday’s are my absolute favourite posts! I was never really a gold sort of person, but you’ve totally converted me! GOLD EVERYTHING PLEASE.
I’ve just ordered messy box and can’t wait to start playing 🙂
This is pretty cool and looks like a fun thing to try in your free time.
scribblingmyexistence.wordpress.com
This is so cool! Definitely going to get this one day 🙂
tonixox.blogspot.com
Nope, photo printers are definitely inkjet! Laser printers are the kind in offices for general black and white printing.
The gold foil would look really good with the ‘You’re Golden’ valentine print out from the ABM newsletter!
Blue Valentine <3
That’s very cool! http://www.hannamarielei.com
Hi guys,
I love this and I am seriously thinking about this but do you think it would be possible for you guys to do a video tutorial? That way I could learn more about it because it looks really amazing.
Thank you,
Xx, Marketa
Hi Delphine! First of all, thank you so much for your support! I totally understand where you are coming from. I will forward your comment on to our team! -Jacki
I LOVE this but I have so many questions!!! When you say laser paper can it be card stock paper (or something of a slightly heavier weight) that runs through a laser printer as well or no? Also, what is the cost for additional sheets of the foil? I may have missed that, thanks in advance!
Yes, Natasha is right, but you can buy home laser printers as well that are inexpensive, we got one on sale at Staples for only $60!
Laura 🙂
love !
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
This is so cool! I love the result!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com/
Thank you!
I NEED this in my life !! X
Hi Elsie, I have a question, are you planning to sell again the “how to write a book proposal” or something like that? I’m needing it so much!
The commenter Nane (above) is right: it’s the heat of the laser printer that makes the foil adhere. A Minc might not be a necessary crafting addition. Here’s how my high school class made our prom tickets in the 90’s:
– print your text/art with your cheap laser printer
– tape the foil over it (slightly larger than the printed image)
– you should be able to adhere the foil by running the paper through again as a blank copy or blank page
This would be so fun! Oh the possibilities….
This is awesome!! I would love to get into scrapbooking one day…
You’re right. You don’t need a Minc. See my comment further down.
Ooh I want one. Mind you, I would probably end up putting foil on EVERYTHING x
This is so fun! I can think of so many uses!