Foil Adhesive

ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive is the transfer foil adhesive behind every APS project. One thin coat is all it takes: brush or roll it on, let it dry to a firm tack, and your foil releases clean.

Use it on furniture, hard surfaces, hats, shoes, purses, tumblers, décor, and more.

Need more? Foil Adhesive is also available by the gallon for those big projects.

How to use transfer foil adhesive

1. Prepare your surface. It should be clean, dry, and free of dust, oils, wax, or residue. Porous surfaces may need to be sealed. Slick or non-porous surfaces should be cleaned and primed.
2. Apply one thin, even coat with a brush or low-nap roller.
3. Allow the adhesive to dry to a firm tack before applying foil. Drying times vary depending on the surface, thickness of application, temperature, and humidity.
   • Paper crafts, cardstock, and wood cutouts: may be ready in as little as 15–30 minutes.
   • Furniture and painted surfaces: allow approximately 2–4 hours or longer.
   • Hats, tumblers, and other challenging surfaces: we recommend allowing the adhesive to dry overnight, up to 24 hours, for best results.

   Always check the tack before applying foil. Lightly touch the adhesive with your finger. It should feel sticky, similar to the sticky side of tape, but should not feel wet or transfer onto your finger.

   When in doubt, wait longer. ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive maintains its tack once dry, so allowing additional drying time will not hurt. Applying foil before the adhesive is ready is a common reason for unsuccessful transfers.

4. Lay your foil pattern side up, rub it down, and peel.

Important: Proper surface prep and enough drying time are the keys to the best foil transfer.

Soap and water cleanup. Download the full instructions for complete surface prep and application directions here.

Transfer foil adhesive FAQ

How many coats do I need?
One thin, even coat.

Do I need to prep my surface first?
Yes. Start with a surface that's clean, dry, and free of dust, oils, wax, or residue. Porous surfaces may need to be sealed. Slick or non-porous surfaces, like hard plastic, need to be cleaned and primed, or the foil won't transfer.

How long does Foil Adhesive take to dry before it's ready for foil?
Drying time depends on the surface and environmental conditions. Paper crafts, cardstock, and wood cutouts may be ready in as little as 15–30 minutes. Furniture and painted surfaces generally require 2–4 hours or longer. For hats, tumblers, and other challenging surfaces, we recommend allowing the adhesive to dry overnight, up to 24 hours, for best results.

The adhesive should feel sticky, like the sticky side of tape, but should not feel wet or transfer onto your finger. When in doubt, give it more time. Our adhesive maintains its tack once dry, so there's no need to rush.

What surfaces does it work on?
Furniture and other hard surfaces, plus hats, shoes, purses, tumblers, and décor.

Can I use it on t-shirts?
For clothing, use FABRIC Foil Adhesive, which sets with an iron. This one is the adhesive for hats.

Is this product water-based?
Yes. ArtsSyVille Foil Adhesive is a water-based formula and is not regulated as a hazardous material for shipping. Clean up brushes, rollers, and spills with soap and water.

Can it freeze in shipping?
In winter we pack it in insulated bubble wrap, but freezing can ruin it. See the freeze warning below.