Mini Minc Machine Advice
 

Hello all. I need advice. I received a Mini Minc Machine for Christmas. I have never used a foil machine before. I've watched several videos, but I know that this forum is a wealth of knowledge and experience and would love any tips and tricks you have for using this machine. I appreciate any advice you are able to share. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Remember the colored side of the foil always goes up.
If you have warped or curled cs, you can run it through the MINC to iron it flat.
Different foils react differently- play around for the best settings.
Set your laser printer for best quality printing- more toner makes better foiling.
Some cs just doesn't want to be foiled- I have a lovely shimmer white that won't foil well.
Use your static pouch on the cs before laser printing- fewer flecks and stray spots.
I keep saying laser printer- you know you need one, right?
Don't run anything heat embossed through the MINC. Been there, done that- OOPS!
Save your sheets of used foil- you can do lots with them.
Carrier folders can get icky- I use a sand eraser and rubbing alcohol to clean them up.
Know where the reverse switch is. I ruined a carrier because I didn't know I could reverse.
White foil can be gorgeous, as can black. Give them a try.
Just play around and have fun. Foil makes your projects look so professional.

You can also use pre-printed toner designs. Taylored Expressions and Pink and Main are two companies that have a line of toner printed designs.

As does Gina K, but I find those all pricey. I like to save black & white designs and then size them and print on my laser printer.
This is a good example:
https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/g...6&thumbsonly=0
It was an embossing folder I bought that had the design printed on the packaging.

BTW- my laser is only B&W, so if a colored design prints nice and clearly, it prints B&W for me.I just find that B&W prints are usually crisp & clear.

"Don't run anything heat embossed through the MINC. Been there, done that- OOPS!"

I got the foil reactive embossing powder from Tim Holtz, so, that is a no no with the Minc?

I don't have a toner printer. I saw others recommending that you can go to a print shop and have the designs you want printed there. Is there an affordable printer that you know about? I don't mind black and white only. I also got the toner stamp pad to use with your regular stamps.

Thanks for all of the advice

I ABSOLUTELY recommend the Epson HL-L2360DW. I love mine, and it has a straight through feed for manual feeding cs, so it takes heavyweight cs without a hiccup. It's a GREAT little printer. DH shopped around and got it pretty cheap, too. As it was a gift for me, I'm not sure of the exact cost, but when he bought it I think it was around $50.

As to the foil reactive embossing powder- the issue is, if you use ANY heat activated embossing powder and THEN run the piece through the MINC, you're going to remelt the embossing powder and make a mess. As in ruin your carrier folder. The MINC heats up, so anything meltable on your project is going to do just that, MELT.
Now, I've never heat embossed an already foiled piece, but I'm betting the heat gun might ruin your foil. If you want to try, experiment first on scrap.

I know some crafters go to a print shop and have things laser printed, but that's a whole lot of bother when you can just get a cheap laser printer. Love my Epson, really love it!

If you are on Facebook join the Foiling Snobs group or go to youtube and watch Nancy Stamps

Too bad that printer is discontinued cause I would have bought one at that price!

I never heard of this. Does it function same as a thermal laminator, which I have but never use.

Yes, a MINC is a laminator. When used with toner printing (laser), you can apply foil to your cards.

A recommendation I would make if you are not getting good foiling results is to add a cardstock shim. I generally add 1 or 2 thick pieces of cardstock under the piece I'm foiling, within the carrier sheet. So the sandwich (from bottom to top) would be shim(s) + toner-printed panel + foil on top. This I find is especially important if you're foiling on thinner cardstock/paper. From what I understand, it basically just gets the foil + toner-printed cardstock or paper closer to the heating element in the Minc.

I don't think I've ever set the heat setting lower than 3. Sometimes I will go up to even 4, though I'm not sure if I've ever done anything at level 5. Also, keep in mind, if you don't get great results on the first pass, in particular if areas didn't foil, you can run it through again. If you do, then I would definitely recommend adding one or more shims on the second go-around. I have gotten with mine to where I just go ahead & add at least one shim I've cut from heavyweight cardstock to fit the carrier sheet. Just remember to put it under the piece you're foiling, not on top, or you'll defeat the purpose. I generally let mine cool before removing the foil. I've seen other crafters on YT do that, though I don't know if it really matters, & have never personally heard anyone say it does make a difference. But it doesn't hurt, so I do it.

Also, and this might go without saying, make sure you are using a toner-reactive foil. If you get one(s) intended for hot-foiling, they won't work with the Minc.

For a laser printer, I got an at-the-time-updated version of the one Jennifer McGuire used. Because, who doesn't get what Jennifer recommends? LOL It's by Brother, & was about $99 at the time at Amazon. I looked just now - both at Amazon & through a Google shopping search, but couldn't find one that cheap that got consistently good reviews. I'm sure the model I have is not available anymore, as I've had it for at least a few years. I don't print much with it, so I'm still on the original toner cartridge that came with it! But, if you're going to print a lot on it, I think it's worth getting one vs. the hassle (plus cost of gas plus time spent ordering & picking up) of having to get stuff laser-printed at a copy shop.

And remember, you can print more than just stuff to foil. It can also be handy - depending on the paper-handling capabilities of the printer - for printing images to watercolor or color with water-based markers. If you want to print on watercolor paper, try adhering a smaller panel to a letter-size sheet of copy paper. I find that will go through my printer much better than trying to force thick watercolor paper through as a full (letter-size) sheet. If I print line-art for water-based (e.g. Zig or Tombow) markers, I will only use my laser printer, as the markers react with the DuraBrite inks in my Epson inkjet printer & the printer ink smears. Anyway, good luck with your foiling efforts. Hopefully at least some of my tips/insights help! :)

Thank you all for your kind advice. I have not used the Minc yet as work has been crazy and I'm exhausted when I get home. I really appreciate the tips. Best practices from those that have been there, done that is always welcome. I am sad that I can't use the foil reactive embossing powder, but I am happy I found out not to use it before it went horribly wrong. Thank you again.

I have been considering getting a mini minc and reading this thread has been very helpful. Thank you everyone!

This video shows Simon Hurley using a minc to foil using regular clear embossing powder: