Are you into foil printing for fun or business? If you’re on the lookout for the best laser printer to make your prints shine with beautiful foil, you’ve come to the perfect spot.
Foil printing is a unique technique involving pressure, heat, and glossy paper. It’s the way to go if you want your prints to look super special and grab everyone’s attention. Foil printing might seem a little tricky, but it’s actually quite doable.
Best Laser Printer for Foiling
In this article, we’ve shared the best laser printer for foiling. We’ve also included a buying guide to help you consider the important factors when you’re deciding which one to get.
do you need a laser printer for foiling?
No, you don’t have to have a laser printer for foiling. People usually suggest laser printers for foiling because they can make precise and even patterns with their toner. But you can also use an inkjet printer for foiling if you do it the right way.
The normal way to foil involves printing a design on paper or cardstock using a laser printer and special toner ink. This ink sticks the foil to the printed parts when you heat it up. Laser printers are good for this because of how they work with heat and toner.
But if you only have an inkjet printer, you can still make things look foiled. You need special stuff made for inkjet printing and foiling. These things might be sheets with sticky stuff or liquid glue that an inkjet printer can print on. After you put the sticky stuff where you want it, you can put on the foil. Then you use something hot like a laminator to stick the foil.
Remember, the results might not be the same with inkjet printers, so follow what the foiling product maker says to do.
Laser Printing issues and Foiling and How It Works
First, you print your design onto your chosen material. Then, you place foil over the parts you want to add shine to, and run the page through a hot machine that both foils and laminates. The heat makes the printed toner sticky, so the foil sticks to it. After you peel off the foil sheet, the areas with toner now shine with a foil finish.
This process can be a bit of work, and you should try a few times before you get it perfect. It can also cost a bit since you need special materials. Remember that most regular laser printers can’t print well on thick cardstock, and the type of toner they use might not be great for foiling.
Which Printer is Best for Foiling?
The special technique of foiling, which creates beautiful metallic finishes, needs a printer that combines technology and skill. We’ve looked into printers that are great for foiling. Whether you’re experienced or new to this, picking the right foiling printer means understanding what makes each printer special, so you can choose wisely and feel excited about it. So lets start share our printers:
1. HP LaserJet Pro M15w Wireless Laser Printer:
When you need a printer but don’t have much space, don’t worry. Meet the HP LaserJet Pro M15w. It’s a compact printer that’s great for foil printing and more.
- 150 sheets Paper Capacity
- Can scan documents from smartphone.
- Wireless Printing
- Monochrome
Setting it up is easy with the HP Smart app. You can connect it through Wi-Fi or a USB cable.
It works with Wi-Fi Direct, Google Cloud Printer Service, HP ePrint, AirPrint, and Mopria.
Your prints will look fantastic with a print resolution of 600 x 600 dpi. This is important if you want professional-quality foil prints.
It’s also fast. The first copy takes just 8.1 seconds! It can print 19 pages in just a single minute.
You won’t need to flip pages for double-sided prints. It can do that automatically.
Even though it’s mainly for printing, you can use Smart Tasks to scan things. This allows you to use your phone’s camera to turn paper documents into digital files.
2- HP LaserJet Pro M404n Printer All-in-One Wireless Color Laser Printer:
Let’s talk about the HP LaserJet Pro M283fdw, a versatile printer that can do many things without costing too much.
The HP LaserJet Pro M404n Printer offers a sleek design that catches the eye. It’s an all-in-one laser printer, which means it can scan and copy too. It is duplex printer, and it’s really fast – up to 22 pages per minute. It also has a special tray that can hold 50 pages at once.
- Beautiful Design and Look
- Does printing, scanning, and copying
- Prints on both sides (duplex)
- Fast printing speed
- HP Smart app
- Alexa voice commands
- Setup might be hard for non-techies
The printer can be managed from your phone using the HP Smart app. It helps you set up the printer, manage your printing tasks, and even lets you print and scan on the go. This app also lets you make shortcuts to save time and organize your documents more quickly.
Security holds significant importance, and this printer is equipped with robust security attributes designed to safeguard your data effectively. It’s also wireless and connects through Wi-Fi, which works well. Plus, it’s even compatible with Alexa, so you can use voice commands.
If you use Amazon Alexa, you can control this printer using your voice. Also, by using Amazon Dash Replenishment, the printer can even order more toner for you.
On the downside, if you’re not really familiar with technology, setting up this printer might be a bit difficult.
3-Brother HL-L3210CW Compact Digital Color Printer Review:
If you want a great laser printer for foil printing, consider the Brother HL-L3210CW. Let me tell you why it’s a good pick. Sick of always adding paper? Printing interruptions? This printer solves that. It stores 250 pages and works with various paper types, from envelopes to cardstock.
Speed matters, right? This printer is quite fast, printing 19 pages in just one minute. That’s 1140 pages in an hour – pretty impressive! And don’t worry, your prints will still look great. This printer takes good care of each page’s quality.
- Can hold 250 pages at once
- Prints 19 pages per minute
- Supports Wi-Fi and USB printing
- Works with different paper types and sizes
- Affordable
- No built-in security options
Need to print something from your phone? No problem! Brother has mobile printing options. You can link it with Wi-Fi or USB and print from your phone or tablet.
In short, this printer offers a lot for its price. It’s efficient and gets the job done well. You can trust Brother to deliver good results.
4. HP LaserJet Pro M404n Monochrome Printer:
Meet the remarkable HP LaserJet Pro M404n Monochrome Printer – your ticket to achieving best prints. Setting the stage for excellence, the HP LaserJet Pro M404n emerges as a frontrunner in pursuing the finest laserjet printer for perfect foiling.
This printer lets you always make really good documents. It’s a black and white laser printer made to help your business grow and also save you time and energy.
- Ethernet Conncetivy
- Advanced security features
- 250 paper capacity tray
- Print with a speed of 40 pages per minute
- Up to 18% energy savings
- No wireless printing functionality
- Cartridges can be pricey
ٖFeatures:
One cool thing is that it can hold up to 250 pages in its big input tray. This means you can breeze through your tasks in no time, printing up to 40 pages in just 60 seconds. It’s as fast as blinking!
The printer boasts a maximum print speed of 38 pages per minute, ensuring your work gets done quickly. Moreover, it’s designed to be energy-efficient, saving up to 18% on electricity bills and reducing your carbon footprint.
The compact size of this printer makes it easy to fit into any corner of your office or home office without any hassle.
Staying safe is really important, so this printer has special security tools built in. These tools help make sure your information is safe from possible unauthorized access. It ensures your business reputation and information stay safe.
Thanks to its trusted HP 58a/58x toner cartridges, you won’t have to worry about reprints or wasted pages. The built-in Ethernet ensures high-quality prints, maximizing the potential of your HP monochrome printer.
Drawbacks:
However, it’s important to note that this printer lacks wireless printing capability, and the cartridges can be expensive.
5. Canon imageCLASS MF247dw Printer:
The imageCLASS MF267dw is perfect if you have a small office or use it at home. It’s made to work fast, needs very little maintenance, and the big LCD screen makes it easy to use.
It can print up to 30 pages in just one minute, and you’ll have your first print in about 5 seconds.
- Print, scan, copy, fax
- Wireless printing
- Good paper capacity
- Auto-Duplex for double-sided printing
- Complex Canon software setup
You can also use it with mobile devices, like Apple AirPrint, Canon Print business, Mopria Print service, and Google Cloud Print. If you don’t have a router, you can use your phone or tablet to connect to Wi-Fi immediately.
If you have an Alexa device, you can talk to it and it will start working. It is a dual tray printer and main tray paper capacity is 250 sheets. This Printer can print, scan, copy, and fax with it easily.
Downsides:
It is a big size printer and might take more space.
You can’t put documents in straight using the auto document feeder.
How to Make Your Own Foil Stickers:
To create shiny foil stickers, you’ll need a few things:
- Foil that sticks when heated, available in different colors.
- A laser printer to print your stickers.
- A laminator that uses heat to stick the foil (or something similar, like the Minc machine).
Follow these steps:
Get Your Foil Ready
- Prepare and Print Your Stickers: Design your stickers, print them with a laser printer, and consider adding a watermark if you want. Note that you shouldn’t use stickers with clear backings with a laser printer, as the heat can harm them.
- Print on Foil: Printing on foil is like printing on paper. You just need special ink. Since we’re using a laser printer, you can generally use any ink that works with your printer. Just make sure the foil maker doesn’t advise against certain inks.
- Cut Out Your Stickers: Once printed, cut out the foil. If you printed on big foil sheets, you can use scissors.
- Use the Laminator: Put your foil stickers into the laminator. You probably know how to use it.
- Apply Your Shiny Stickers: After laminating, peel off the foil and stick them wherever you want.
It’s a fun way to make your stickers stand out!
FAQs:
Will any laser printer work for foiling?
Not all laser printers are suitable for foiling. Foil printing requires specific features like adjustable heat settings and even pressure, which some regular laser printers may lack. Look for printers designed for foiling or ones with the necessary settings.
What printer prints gold foil?
Printers designed for foiling, like certain specialty laser printers, are ideal for gold foil printing. These printers have the required temperature control to fuse the foil onto the paper effectively.
What is the best foiling method?
The “best” foiling method depends on your preferences and project requirements. Hot foil stamping is known for its luxurious look, while digital foiling offers flexibility for small runs. Choose based on your desired outcome and budget.
Is gold foil printing expensive?
Using gold foil for printing can cost more money than regular printing because the materials used for the foil and the special way it’s done can be pricier. However, the stunning results often justify the higher price for special occasions and premium products.
Is foil print long lasting?
Foil prints are generally durable and can last a long time, especially if handled with care. The longevity depends on factors like paper quality, handling, and environmental conditions. Storing and keeping the foil print safe can make sure it stays shiny and bright as time goes by.
Conclusion:
In the quest for the top laser printer for foiling, three exceptional options shine brightly: the Brother HL-L3210CW, the HP Color LaserJet Pro M283fdw, and the HP LaserJet Pro M404n. These printers bring together the perfect combination of features and quality to make your foiling projects truly remarkable. With user-friendly designs and impressive capabilities, any of these choices could be the key to unlocking your creative foiling journey. So, whether you’re a creative enthusiast or a professional artisan, consider these printers as your trusted companions in the world of foiling artistry.