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Post by grammadee on Jun 20, 2021 17:15:32 GMT
Do you own the system? Do you like it? Does it work with existing diecutting machines like the Vagabond?
If I purchase the system, will it work with my other dies, or would I need to acquire a whole new set of specific stamps and dies for this?
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Post by kkrenn on Jun 20, 2021 20:05:36 GMT
Do you own the system? Do you like it? Does it work with existing diecutting machines like the Vagabond?
If I purchase the system, will it work with my other dies, or would I need to acquire a whole new set of specific stamps and dies for this?
Gee thanks! I had never heard of this and now I think I need it........ UGH!!! Hahahaha, I really need to leave my cave more often. LOL I'm interested to see what others say because if you can use other brand dies then this would really be a great addition to my crafty cave. |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,146 
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Post by lindas on Jun 20, 2021 20:16:14 GMT
I have the Gemini which only works with the Gemini die cutting machine. The Spellbinders system says it’s compatible with the Vagabond. You can use the wafer thin dies to foil with. I haven’t used a regular die yet since I’ve accumulated quite a few hot foil plates so I can’t speak to how well they work but Jennifer MCGuire uses them in this video. She’s using regular dies at about the 12:58 mark.
Check out this video from Jennifer McGuire,
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Post by marg on Jun 21, 2021 0:18:12 GMT
I also have the Gemini one. I love it. I got it for Christmas and have used it a lot, although I don't have a lot of plates yet. I got hooked on it when I started watching Yana Smakula's videos - her cards are amazing and Spellbinders came out with a line for her.
Spellbinders just had a huge sale on foil plates so I picked up a bunch at 50% off.
It took me a long time to decide to get it because I have the Minc and hot foil that way, but it is just so cool and really convenient, too. It's quick and easy to mass produce cards, and I keep it beside my Gemini Jr for easy access.
The instructions for the Gemini do tell you how to use it with regular dies, although I haven't done that yet. I really need to, because even basic circles and rectangles would be so pretty.
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,766
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Jun 21, 2021 0:18:40 GMT
lindas how you like the Gemini one? I heard that there is a lot of plates cracked. I have the Gemini diecutter and thought about trying it out but I'm a little afraid because what I heard and there is not a lot of videos with it.
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,146
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Post by lindas on Jun 21, 2021 2:07:09 GMT
lindas how you like the Gemini one? I heard that there is a lot of plates cracked. I have the Gemini diecutter and thought about trying it out but I'm a little afraid because what I heard and there is not a lot of videos with it. Are you talking about the plate for the hot foil system? I haven’t had any trouble with mine but it hasn’t had a ton of use. We’ll see when I start my Christmas cards, I planned on doing a lot of foiling on those this year. Now my plates for the die cutter warped really bad really fast. I bought new plates but I prefer my Spellbinders Platinum for die cutting. I only use the Gemini now if I’m hot foiling. |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,766
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Jun 21, 2021 14:06:49 GMT
lindas how you like the Gemini one? I heard that there is a lot of plates cracked. I have the Gemini diecutter and thought about trying it out but I'm a little afraid because what I heard and there is not a lot of videos with it. Are you talking about the plate for the hot foil system? I haven’t had any trouble with mine but it hasn’t had a ton of use. We’ll see when I start my Christmas cards, I planned on doing a lot of foiling on those this year. Now my plates for the die cutter warped really bad really fast. I bought new plates but I prefer my Spellbinders Platinum for die cutting. I only use the Gemini now if I’m hot foiling. Yes, I was talking about the hot plate. My friend's cracked and I heard that the old one does , now you can buy the plate on its own. I use a selfhealing mat with my Gemini and I've been using the same plastic plates for 3 years now. I have to replace the self healing mat about every 6 months or so. I buy them at HL when it's on sale for $2.50. |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Jun 21, 2021 15:21:42 GMT
I wasn't thrilled with the results I was getting by foiling with a Minc machine, so I decided to try the foiling machines.
First I bought a Go Press and Foil by Couture Creations.
The Go Press and Foil:
PROS:
Works with the Cuttlebug
CONS:
Inconsistent foiling results. I was getting very frustrated with the splotchy looking foiling.
I then bought the Gemini Foilpress.
Gemini Foilpress
PRO:
The Gemini machine in general has more pressure, so the foiling was more consistently solid because of the pressure
You can use foil and cut dies - these dies Foil, then cut a shape around the foiled text or graphic.
CONS:
The Gemini Foilpress was made to be used with the Gemini Jr. (but a top plate extender can be purchased to use it with the larger, original Gemini)
It will not work with the Cuttlebug.
The top plate is considered to be a "consumable". Mine is very slightly warped. The replacement cost is reasonable at something like $10 at full retail.
I should note that I eventually was able to get better/more consistent foiling results with the Go Press & Foil - BUT....only after watching a lot of videos and a lot of experimentation. Good results can be obtained with the correct shim. I wasted a lot of foil determining the correct shim. Since I use random card stock of random weights, it can be tricky and frustrating trying to get good results.
ALSO! : Your results are going to vary with the different brands of foil. Start out by experimenting with different foils, dies and shims using small pieces of foil.
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Post by wendifful on Jun 22, 2021 3:49:20 GMT
I've had my Spellbinders Glimmer machine for about two years and to be honest, I've used it less than I thought I would. However, during this past year, I've done a lot of reflecting on the types of cards that I actually make, as opposed to the ones I think are pretty. This has led me to realize that I don't like complicated/layered stamping (basically I'm good with stamping a sentiment, anything else I'll only do rarely) and I don't like fiddly pieces. At the time I got my glimmer machine, Spellbinders was one of the only companies making hot foil plates so I mainly acquired those. They have some beautiful designs that I've bought...but they have a lot of little pieces and sometimes you have to do a lot of repeat foiling. (Like they have plates that will only cover half a card...I know this helps cut down on the cost of the plates, but I really hate having to do two passes and line up the plates.) In the past few years, I've seen a lot of companies (like Taylored Expressions and The Ton) come up with innovative ways to do mass stamping/die cutting and I'm starting to see that pop up in the hot foil plates too, mostly with Pinkfresh Studio. For example, they have a plate that's about A2 sized that's all one piece and filled with sentiments. You foil the whole thing in one go, then there's one die to cut everything out. I LOVE that kind of time saving innovation. There's definitely an argument to be made for individual smaller hot plates (you can foil them directly on your card), but for my crafting habits, I've just realized that I'm not motivated to use those kinds of plates. I've started to sell some of my more involved Spellbinders hot foil plates and will keep watching as more companies join the hot foil trend and hopefully come out with products that match my crafting habits more. (The Stamp Market has also started to sell some plates and so far, they seem simple enough for me.) Anyway, those are my thoughts and hopefully they help you determine whether hot foiling is for you. Another great resource is Yana Smakula. She has a lot of hot foil stamping tips. She recently did a great video(and blog post) that talks about the best papers to use for hot foiling. I'm excited to try out her tips with some of the hot foil plates I do like to use. |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,766
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Jun 22, 2021 17:45:07 GMT
wendifful I really like those pinkfresh hot plates, I like to mass produce sentiments too. Since I saw those plates im really thinking about getting the hot foil machine. I have a Gemini and Vagabond die cutters so trying to decide which one to get
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Post by grammadee on Jun 22, 2021 22:56:18 GMT
Thanks for all the feedback.
I don't use ANY of my electronic tools as much as I thought I would. i have foil quill pens and the Minc for foiling. plus I have a gilding flakes kit with glue and instructions for foiling any stamp.
I think I will not go ahead with this system unless my Vagabond quits, in which case I may decide to go with the Gemini.
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Post by kkrenn on Jun 22, 2021 23:44:33 GMT
I just bought a Glimmer Hot Foil system! I found one on Mecari for $60 and it's basically brand new with a few extra plates! I feel like I've gotten a good deal and even if I only use it for this years' Christmas cards I feel I did okay!
I was watching videos on it last night while my dh sat next to me playing his video game, he stopped so he could watch too!
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Post by craftmepink on Jun 23, 2021 0:37:06 GMT
I bought the Spellbinders Glimmer System and love mines. Sigh, it did put me down a rabbit hole because Spellbinders makes the prettiest hot foil plates. It really foils beautifully. Warning, if you get into this, you might end up buying a heck of a lot of stuff. I bought lots of hot foil plates, foils, and subscribed to Spellbinders hot glimmer foil plate of the month club. Plus side is you'll have really pretty cards.  |
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Post by scrappinheather on Jun 24, 2021 23:08:04 GMT
I have the gemini one. I think it works great. I love all the pinkfresh hot foil plates & all the ones from stamp market. I just signed up for spellbinders hot foil club to try it out
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 20:28:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2021 19:50:57 GMT
I've been debating whether to get one and now I think I NEED one. LOL I'm going to get the Gemini Foilpress I think  |
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Post by lovestocreate on Jul 14, 2021 21:09:00 GMT
Oh no! You all are sucking me back into thinking I might need this, too. Lol.
For those of you who have it, do you prefer it to heat embossing?
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Post by cbet on Jul 15, 2021 13:42:01 GMT
Well, you guys pushed me over the edge and I got a Glimmer machine - didn't want to have to buy a Gemini Junior when I already have 2 Big Shots. I've been playing with it and it is so much fun. I do like it better than heat embossing - no powder flying around and the finished result is much smoother looking and more shiny. I got one of the Pinkfresh sentiment plates with the matching die, and that works amazing (once I figured out the trick to getting the die to line up correctly). I'm trying to not do my usual routine of buying ALL THE THINGS, but I've already got quite a collection of foils and 6 or 7 foil plates.
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