Minc Foil Application Machine Starter Kit by American Crafts | Includes machine, one transfer folder, one gold foil sheet, and three tags | US Version

My 2 cents first: SAD to see "Faulty machines" bringing down the product review instead of an actual USEFUL review.I've gone through TONS of foils to get the flawless result everyone is looking for and the truth is, it could be a million factors to take into account.The machine not getting hot enough or the toner is low quality, paper is low quality, laser printer settings blah blah blah...So here's how I FIGURED IT OUT:- Laser Printer DPI doesn't matter. (300, 600, 1200 or higher)- Print settings MUST BE TEXT. (not graphics)- Type of paper DOES NOT MATER THAT MUCH. The more coarse the paper textures are, the harder it is for the foil to apply flushed to the surface. THAT IS TRUE, BUT not a deal breaker to all textured papers. I've used the coarse, cheap, most generic copy paper to prove that it's not the paper quality (see pictures). NOTE: I've also used a heavyweight photo matte paper (for INKJET) and it held the toner nicely and foil adhered flawlessly. It does NOT need to be laser paper only.HERE'S THE KICKER:- The foil DEPENDS ON HEAT. If you're getting that nice splotchy look, it is because there is not enough heat being applied. The number 3 setting on the minc is 'suggested'. I had to bump it all the way up to 5 to get that flawless application. Be warned though, it's going to get REALLY hot. Try to let the bottom of your minc 'breathe' and keep it off the table with some makeshift legs. Let the minc also run for a minute or so to get that heat up to a steady temp and then run your foils. (I use those wooden bases you can buy at michaels)- DON'T RUN it for too long periods at a time. (this is just a suggestion)PROS:- I could use it for cold or hot lamination. Not only foils.- Produces nice steady temp on each setting.- Heat up VERY FAST. Love that.- Does what it supposed to do.CONS:- Takes a long time to cool down.- WILL have that burnt plastic smell for a long time. (But honestly, that's how some heating coils smell. You either get use to it or you don't.)- A LOT of testing, wasting paper and foils before getting the results you want. (what project doesn't have that? It IS to be expected.)- Gets very hot to the touch. The design of the machine COULD have used some legs. I don't like the idea of that much heat sitting FLAT on my table top.PICTURES:* Gold Foils were done on #3 setting. Pink Foils were done on #5 setting.** For those who want to know how I got the softer sheen on the pink foil, I use a matte laminate over the foil itself.***Ignore 'brandished' (took a used dryer sheet and rubbed it into the toner to smooth it out) THOUGHT it would have a better effect for getting rid of splotchy toner and creating a more solid base for the foil to apply, but NOT necessary.**** Tested it on regular, cheap rough 20lb copy paper and default printer settings. The two factors I changed were the dpi (printer setting) and more heat (Minc setting). This was to prove than it's not really a toner OR paper issue, but heat itself.HOPE THIS HELPS!

This thing is UH-MAZING. I love it.SO... I avoided buying one when it came out cause I wasn't sure if it was worth the money. When I came around to deciding for sure, I read reviews and watched videos online. Some people stated that this is nothing but an overpriced laminator..I decided to do my own experiment..I was playing around with foiling projects using a laminator. I run the project through the laminator about 2-3 times. Although the projects come out fairly nice, it has imperfections- it's spotty and doesn't have full coverage. I'm a perfectionist.I caved & bought this. As soon as I got this in, I started to foil some sample invitations I've designed for projects i have coming up. For comparison reasons, I used the same projects I used with the laminator.Result? PERFECT coverage.The difference between converage is VERY noticeable on a side by side comparison. The Minc Foil Applicator gave my project FULL coverage an I only ran the project through ONCE!!! It's wonderful. I can't wait to start my projects.Here's what you need to know when considering this machine vs. using a laminator. The Minc Foil Applicator has different settings for different coverages. I picked one that I though would work best based on the manual (first time was a winner). Different types of projects, coverage, and paper makes a difference i think. The Minc ALSO has a more even heat distribution all the way across vs. a laminator that has more heat on the sides vs. the middle (in my opinion) AND, the Minc applies A LOT more pressure to the project when it runs through the machine.If you're going to do a lot of projects in the future with foiling, this is definitely worth it.

We received a completely broken product. Upon opening the box, I noticed right away that the product was coming apart, and that the syrofoam holding the product in place was already cracked. Didn’t realize there was glass everywhere until I cut my finger trying to take it out of the box. Am going to order this product one more time as I’m hoping this is a one time event, however, am not happy about having to go out to ship this product back.EDIT:Received another Minc applicator machine and I’m glad I reordered this product and gave it another chance. The different heat settings are nice (there’s 5 different degrees of heat) and it the kit includes foil samples, sheet protector, and some tags.Advice: use a monochrome laser printer only. We have a colored laser printer and even after many adjustments, it still does not work as well as the monochrome printer. This foil adheres best to black ink not colored and with the colored printers, their black isn’t solid black, it’s a mixture of colors.With cardstock we used the highest heat setting and got great results

Have a card making business (2 of us) and between us have purchased/replaced this to the tune of 4 machines.First one was melting the foil on some paper and really smoking first day, then wouldn't heat up on the second day.Second one purchased by my partner worked for 2 days, then wouldn't heat up.Third one replacement for the first worked for about 2 hours, then wouldn't heat up. Unfortunately I was travelling and missed the 2nd return window.Fourth one is the only one still working.For now I'll just look for a high quality laminator with variable temps. I do have a $17 scotch laminator that still works, but does need multiple passes, which when producing 100+ cards for retail clients is one too many times!

I recently purchased this item, so I could foil my own projects at home, for scrapbooking, cards, planner stickers and the like. I have only used it a few times, and it definitely makes a difference on what kind of paper you use, but so far I love it! It foils amazing, heats up quickly, and gives a little something extra to my craft projects! I do recommend watching some YouTube videos, on what kinds of paper and settings work for each paper. It was really helpful in knowing what would foil well, and what wouldn't, and I truly think if you don't use the right kinds of paper you will be disappointed in this machine. Overall, I highly recommend anyone looking for some at home foiling for their craft projects!

Customer service is horrible. The machine started cracking on the exterior within weeks of purchase. I contacted the company regarding the matter and they said they cannot do anything regarding external defects, only if the item is not producing properly. I put a lot of money into this machine, I expect it not to fall apart within weeks. Super disappointed. What happen to only producing the best quality Heidi Swapp?

It is a nice foil laminator for the price. It comes with a mylar sleeve to hold the sheet and the foil that is to be transferred. There are 5 temperature settings, though it would actually be nice to see what the temperature is. Also it is just one speed and now way to control to speed up or slow down. It doesn't take long to heat up to apply the foil and works quite fine. If used for too long it will overheat and shut down (after running about 30 pcs through). I am a printer and have a large more automated foil sleeker and laminator which is down for the moment so this did the job as a temporary replacement, it obviously meant as a hobby crafting tool rather than a production machine. There is a small amount of foil that comes with it, a little more would have been better - but again as a printer I have a number of different foils in stock to play with.

The machine seems to be good and do what it needs to, I have only run through one print and so far it is perfect. The packaging is what I have issue with. There is a handful of rocks or little stones within the actual bag that is supposed to protect the transfer folder and foils as well as within the box itself. they seemed to scratch the protective material around the machine but do not seem to have damaged the machine itself (I hope). This is not one or two little stones as you can see in the photos there is a good handful. I have no idea what this is or how it got in the box. Not happy with the packaging in that sense. Otherwise it appears to have arrived safe.

Best purchase ever! Absolutely In love works great for all my projects and even on everyday papers that need lamination.