How to use foil quill with Cricut +TIPS

In this post, you’ll learn how to use foil quill with Cricut along with some helpful tips to get the best possible result. I’ll be using the foil quill started kit by We R Memory Keepers for this tutorial. You’ll also get a FREE card SVG to use with foil quill for this project.

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What is Foil Quill by WRMK

The Foil Quill by We R Memory Keepers [WRMK] is a set of heat activated foiling pen, that use power to add a foil imprint on the materials. 

The pens come with an adapter that can be attached to your cutting machine (Brother ScanNCut, Cricut or Silhouette) or any other USB outlet (I use a portable phone charger). Once the adapter is attached, you can insert the pens in the accessory slot of your machine to create beautiful shiny prints.

These prints are PERMANENT unlike vinyl and don’t peel off! How amazing is that!

The best thing about Foil Quill is that it can be used to add some very detailed intricate artwork to your projects without having to spend time weeding everything. Think Mandalas, Zen tangles and flourishes!

There are 3 different types of pens available in this collection.

• The fine tip Foil Quill pen
• The standard tip Foil Quill pen and 
• The bold tip Foil Quill pen

These pens can be purchased together or separately.

I purchased the fine tip Foil Quill pen via the Facebook marketplace along with a ton of foils because I simply LOVE getting craft supplies for a bargain. However, I was SO thrilled at that time, I didn’t realize it was just ONE pen, so in my video, I would not be able to demonstrate how all three pens work.

Types of Foil Packs for Foil Quill

The heat activated foils for Foil Quill are available in three different sizes.

1. Extra large roll 12″x96″
2. 12″x12″ Sheets with 15 foil sheets in each pack
3. 4″x6″ Sheets with 30 foil sheets in each pack

Today, I’ll be using 4″x6″ sheets as I got a ton of them when I purchased my Foil Quill pen. 

Helpful Tips for Using Foil Quill with Cricut

Before I show you how to use the Foil Quill with Cricut, here are some helpful tips for using the Foil Quill pens to get the best results possible.

1. Use a Foil Quill Magnetic mat
2. Use a portable phone charger: instead of using the USB port on your machine, use a portable phone charger or a any other USB plug-in charging device so that your machine does not get adversely affected when using the Foil Quill.
3. Move the star wheels: another tip is to make sure the star wheels are not right on top of the foil as it might rip the foil or leave foil marks on the paper. Therefore, it’s best to move the star wheels so they’re either on the washi tape (used to stick the foil onto the material) or on the card-stock.
4. Avoid extremely small and intricate designs: if the designs are too small and intricate, it can cause the foil to rip apart. This happened FOUR times with me while I was testing out the foil quill. I’m assuming it was either due to the close proximity of the designs or because the tip of the pen became too hot, which brings me to the next tip.
5. Let the Foil Quill pen cool: don’t use the pen if the tip is too hot, as it will rip off the foil. I noticed this while I was testing my design and the pen had been in constant use for almost half an hour. Allow the pen to cool between intervals to get the best results possible.
6. Reduce the design size: ensure the size of the design it at-least an inch smaller than the foil to allow enough room for the washi tape because the pen does not work over the washi tape and your design would end up incomplete.

Let’s have a look at all the supplies now.

Supplies Needed for DIY Custom Tea Towel

• Cricut Maker/Cricut Explore
• Light Grip Cutting Mat
• Essential Tools Set
• Cardstock (250/80lb gsm
• Quick Dry Tacky Glue
• Premium Fine Point Blade
• Scoring wheel (recommended) or can also use a scoring stylus 
• Washi tape
• Foil Quill Pens by WRMK
• Foil Quill Foil 
• FREE SVG cut file for the heart card [for the VIPs, become a VIP by signing up for the email list below!]

How to Use Foil Quill with Cricut – Video Tutorial

Prepare the Image to use with Foil Quill Pens with Cricut

1. First, download the FREE SVG file for the card on your desktop. 
2. Once you have uploaded the SVG file to Design Space, add it to your canvas.
3. Go ahead and read the copyrights notice.
4. Next, un-group everything and delete the notice as we don’t want to cut it out.
5. Next, resize the card the way you like. Since the size of my foil is 4”x6” I need to make sure the design is at-least half an inch less to allow enough room for the washi tape to stick. We don’t want any part of the design coming onto the washi tape and the pen will not work and instead you’ll have a blank spot. So resize the card based on your needs.
6. Change ALL the details to draw instead of cut.
7. So select each group from the layers panel and click on draw from the drop-down menu under linetype.
8. Next, look for the straight lines or select them from the image and change them to score.
9. Next, click and drag to select all the elements and click on attach to ensure these things stay intact when we go to the mat.
10. Now, let’s add a little message on the lining section of the card.
11. Once again, don’t forget to change the linetype to draw as the foil quill only works with the draw feature selected.
12. Once you’re happy attach the text to the lining and now it’s time to cut everything out!
13. So, click on make it and go to your mat.
14. Select medium or heavy cardstock from the menu. If you’re using the desktop skip this part and go to the cutting instructions.

Cut out the Card

• Next, place the foil on the mat and stick it down with a washi tape. Remember, we are placing the foil wrong side down with the right side facing up.
• Next, screw the pen to the pen adapter and insert it inside the accessory slot on your Cricut.
• Add the scoring wheel, move the star wheels so that they aren’t directly on the foil as it can leave marks on the foil. Now, wait for the magic!
• Cut out the other side of the card along with the inner lining.
• Next, assemble the card together.
• So first, fold along the score lines, using the spatula to perfect the crease.
• Add some glue at the back and stick the two gates together.
• The last step is to add this outline. This is something I almost deleted because I was unsure of how it would look but after cutting it out, I fell in love with it and there you go!
• A gorgeous foil quill card is ready!

Save this project for later by clicking the “save” button!

More Cricut Projects to Try

Want more Cricut project inspiration? Check out these posts!

1. 11+ UNIQUE Craft Vinyl Storage Ideas
2. Convert Picture to SVG – 3 Quick and Easy Methods
3. Different Types of Vinyl and How to Use Them