Liora & Serena Foiling Machines by Foil Studio Pro | My Toner Foiling Beginner’s Guide 💜

New to toner foiling? Wondering which machine to use, what supplies you'll need or how to get that gorgeous shiny finish? You're in the right place!

If you've followed Foiled You Once for a while, you'll know I absolutely love toner foiling. From personalised keepsakes and business stationery to creating my very own toner-reactive foil collection, foiling is a huge part of what I do.

One question I often see from beginners is: "What machine do I actually need to start toner foiling?"

So I thought I'd share a little about the machine I personally use and trust in my business — the Liora Foiling Machine by Foil Studio Pro.

What Is Toner Foiling?

Toner foiling is a crafting technique that uses heat and pressure to transfer beautiful metallic, holographic or glitter foil onto designs printed with laser printer toner.

It's a fantastic way to add a professional-looking finish to everyday craft projects.

You can create:

• Gorgeous foiled greeting cards and invitations

• Personalised concert tickets and keepsakes

• Small business thank-you cards

• Shiny stickers and packaging details

• Beautiful prints and handmade gifts

And the best part? There's nothing quite like peeling back the foil and seeing your design come to life! ✨

Meet My Foiling Machine: The Liora by Foil Studio Pro

When you're making products for customers, having equipment you feel confident using makes such a difference.

The foiling machine I use at Foiled You Once is the Liora by Foil Studio Pro, and it's a machine I personally trust for my foiling projects.

The Liora is designed for toner-reactive foiling, using heat and pressure to transfer foil onto laser-printed designs.

Some of its useful features include:

• Five heat settings to accommodate different foiling requirements

• Four pressure rollers for consistent contact during foiling

• Up to A3 foiling capability, giving you room for larger projects

• Forward and reverse controls

• Transfer wallets to help protect projects during the process

• A 90-minute automatic cut-off

For me, it's important to use equipment I'm comfortable working with, especially when I'm creating products for my own customers.

And yes, the Liora is pink, which is a lovely little bonus! 💗

You can find out more about the machine directly at Foil Studio Pro.

Do You Need a Laser Printer to Start Toner Foiling?

This is something I really want beginners to understand.

You don't necessarily need to own a laser printer to try toner foiling for the first time!

Normally, toner foiling requires a design printed using a laser printer because the foil bonds to the toner.

But if you use a design that's already been toner printed, you can get started without buying a printer straight away.

That's one of the reasons I've introduced my Once Upon A Foil Beginner Starter Kit.

I wanted people who were curious about foiling to have the chance to experience that first exciting foil reveal without needing to buy loads of supplies.

Introducing the Once Upon A Foil Starter Kit ✨

If you've been watching foiling videos and thinking, "I'd love to try that!", this little kit was created with you in mind.

Inside you'll find:

• Five A4 toner-reactive foil sheets, with a selection of beautiful finishes

• Smooth white A4 cardstock to use for future projects

• An A4 toner-printed practice sheet, ready for your first foil experiment

• A printed beginner's guide to help you get started

The foil colours include Magic Carpet, Fairy Dust, Sleeping Rose, Evil Queen and Magic Lamp.

The practice sheet has already been printed using toner, so you can choose your favourite foil, prepare your design and have a go!

You'll still need a compatible heated foiling machine, such as the Liora, and any protective carrier required by your equipment. These aren't included in the starter kit.

Explore the Once Upon A Foil Beginner Starter Kit

My Top Tips for Your First Foiling Project

If you're completely new to toner foiling, here are a few things I'd suggest:

1. Start with a simple design.

Hearts, stars, lettering and other bold designs are perfect for getting used to how toner foil transfers.

2. Make sure your foiling machine is properly warmed up.

Always follow your machine's instructions and use a suitable heat setting for your materials.

3. Place your foil the correct way around.

The coloured, shiny side should face upwards, with the transfer side against the toner.

4. Use a suitable protective carrier.

Follow your machine manufacturer's guidance to keep the foil and paper positioned correctly and protect your equipment.

5. Don't worry if your first attempt isn't perfect.

Sometimes it takes a little experimenting with different materials and settings. That's all part of learning!

I've also put together a step-by-step beginner's guide to toner foiling if you'd like a more detailed walkthrough.

Why I Created My Own Toner-Reactive Foil Range

I use toner foiling in my own crafting business, and I know how exciting it is when a project turns out exactly how you imagined.

That's what inspired me to create Once Upon A Foil, my own range of toner-reactive foils.

From smooth metallic colours to holographic and glitter finishes, I wanted to offer crafters a lovely selection to experiment with.

Every foil roll is carefully prepared and packed by me here in the UK.

Whether you're making your very first foiled card or already creating products for your own small business, I want Foiled You Once to be somewhere you can find beautiful supplies and helpful advice.

Explore the Once Upon A Foil Collection

✨ Introducing Serena – The New Foiling Machine by Foil Studio Pro!

Love the sound of the Liora but noticed it's currently sold out?

Well, there's some exciting news for anyone looking to start their toner foiling journey!

Foil Studio Pro has announced a brand-new machine called Serena, and she's absolutely gorgeous in lilac! 💜

Serena is the new sister machine to the pink Liora that I personally use and love.

It's a lovely option to explore if you've been wanting to get into toner foiling but haven't been able to get your hands on a Liora.

Serena is currently advertised for pre-order at £94.50, with arrival expected towards the end of November 2026. Pre-order details and delivery estimates are subject to change, so please check with Foil Studio Pro before purchasing.

Although I haven't personally tested Serena, I can genuinely recommend looking into the brand because I use and trust my own Liora in my crafting business.

And if you're planning to purchase a foiling machine, don't forget that my Once Upon A Foil Beginner Starter Kit includes toner-printed practice designs, so you can start experimenting without needing to own a laser printer!

💜 Find out more about Serena and pre-order directly from Foil Studio Pro

Ready to Make a Little Foiling Magic?

If you're new to toner foiling, my biggest piece of advice is simply to give it a go!

You don't need to master everything on your first attempt. Start with a small design, experiment with the different foil finishes and enjoy the process.

Happy foiling! 💜✨

Kirsty
Foiled You Once — Made by a crafter, for crafters.

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