Add shimmer and shine to your Cricut projects with the Cricut Foil Transfer System! Learn how to foil with the Cricut to create a stunning projects, from start to finish.

Moth and bee foiled artwork on a shelf with small bud vase and foiled plant.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cricut. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cricut just released its newest product for both Cricut Maker AND Cricut Explore—the Cricut Foil Transfer System. This new foiling tool and material allow you to add stunning foil effects to your Cricut projects! I’m working on a number of posts about this new tool, so make sure to check them out as I post them:

Today I’m sharing TWO foiled projects, both of which are designed to walk you through all of the steps in using the new tool. First up is some gorgeous foiled Cricut artwork, and second is a sweet little foiled plant, perfect for a bud vase.

I’ll also be sharing tips and tricks as I go along so that you can see exactly how to get the best results from this foiling system, the first time.

Stop pulling your hair out and start creating confidently with your Cricut! Finally understand how to use your Cricut with my Learn Your Cricut eBooks!

How to Foil Artwork with a Cricut

The first project is this entomological artwork—which is a fancy way to say “bugs.” I never thought I was someone who wanted bug artwork in her home, but when I saw these particular designs in Cricut Design Space, I knew that I could create some absolutely beautiful wall art.

Moth foiled artwork on a shelf with small bud vase and foiled plant.

I mean, I am obsessed. I love these projects so much. Let’s learn how to foil with the Cricut!

Foiled Entomological Artwork Supplies

Overhead shot of supplies needed for this project: Cricut, mat, cardstock, foil, and foiling tool

Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker
Blue LightGrip or Green StrongGrip mat
Cricut Foil Transfer Tool
12″ x 12″ Cricut Foil in Gold + included tape
Black cardstock
Pink cardstock (or other color if you’d prefer)
White cardstock
12″ x 12″ frames
Double sided tape or glue stick
Cricut Design Space File

Foiled Entomological Artwork Instructions

Start in Cricut Design Space

Open the Cricut Design Space file for this artwork. I’ve actually created four different versions for you—a moth, a bee, a dragonfly, and a beetle. These have been specifically designed to work perfectly with the Cricut Foil Transfer System!

Four entomological files in Cricut Design Space

To simplify this tutorial, I am going to hide three of the images, and work with the moth only. Making the three other images is the same process. Click Make It in the upper right.

In the next screen, you’ll see the moth image attached to the black layer to cut on black cardstock. Then a separate cut for the colored square. Click Continue.

Finally, Cricut Design Space will ask you what type of material you are using—select the base material. In my case, cardstock. It will then give you a series of instructions. Load the Foil Transfer Tool, tape the gold foil on your cardstock, and load your mat. Let’s take a look at those steps in more detail.

Design space showing base material set to cardstock and how to load the tool and tape the foil to the base layer.

Foil Your Project

Before you cut, start by sliding the white star wheels of your Cricut Explore or Maker all the way to the right. This will help them from imprinting foil onto your image. This is Cricut’s suggestion—I actually made several projects before I remembered to slide those start wheels over and I didn’t have any foil transfer problems. But better to do it, just in case!

Close up of star wheels moved to the right.

Then place the black cardstock on the cutting mat.

Now we’re going to tape the foil sheet over the black cardstock. Use the tape provided in the Cricut Foil Transfer Kit on each edge. Your foil doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth—just do your best.

You can cut your foil sheet down to size if you’d like but I actually have found that it’s easier to cover the whole sheet. I was actually able to make all four images in this set by rotating the foil and reusing the tape! Just be careful when you peel it up and you’ll be able to use it again.

Gold foil being placed on the black cardstock

Gold foil taped to the black cardstock around the edges.

Then insert your mat into your machine and make sure you have the Foil Transfer Tool inserted into Clamp B.

Mat with cardstock and foil inserted into the Cricut Explore.

Once you’re all ready to go, click the flashing C on your Cricut, and your Cricut machine will foil the project.

Cut Your Cardstock

When your project is done foiling, DO NOT remove the mat. Instead, carefully peel up the tape around your project, making sure not to pull up the cardstock as you peel. Like I said above, if you are careful you can keep this foil and tape and use the non-used parts on other projects. Much less waste!

Peeling back the foil from the black cardstock.

Foiled black cardstock still in Cricut machine with gold foil sheet to the right.

Then switch out your Foil Transfer Tool for the regular Fine Point blade and click the flashing C, and your Cricut will cut around the edge of your image.

Insert the fine tip blade into the Cricut's carriage.

Carefully peel your mat away from your project. Learn more about removing materials from Cricut mats.

Continue and cut out your colored square in cardstock. For the white cardstock, I didn’t cut this on my Cricut at all—I just used a 12″ x 12″ piece that fit perfectly in my frame.

Assemble Your Artwork

Now it’s time to assemble your artwork. You can use double-sided tape to glue your moth cutout to the colored square and the colored square to the white square.

Add tape to the back of the moth cutout.

Tape the moth cutout to the pink square of cardstock.

Tape the pink square of cardstock to the bigger white square of cardstock.

Reassemble your frame and your artwork is ready to display!

How to Foil a Paper Plant with a Cricut

The next project is more simple, but I think it’s a cute way to add a pop of color to your shelf or desk. I also like how it pairs with the prints above, and it was fun to try out the emerald Cricut foil!

Close up of foiled plant in pink bud vase.

Foiled Paper Plant Supplies

Supplies needed: Cricut, mat, cardstock, green foil, foil tool

Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker
Blue LightGrip or Green StrongGrip mat
Cricut Foil Transfer Tool
4″ x 6″ Cricut Foil in Emerald + included tape
Green cardstock
Bud vase
Cricut Design Space File

Foiled Paper Plant Instructions

Start in Cricut Design Space

Open the Cricut Design Space file for this artwork. I’ve sized this artwork to fit perfectly with a 4″ x 6″ sheet of foil. It’s all ready to go, so click Make It in the upper right.

Design Space canvas with foiled plant images

In the Prepare Screen, you’ll see that the foiled layer is attached to the green cardstock layer. Click Continue.

Prepared screen with plant images on green mat.

Like with the artwork, Cricut Design Space will ask you what type of material you are using—select the base material. In my case, cardstock. It will then give you a series of instructions. Load the Foil Transfer Tool, tape the green foil on your cardstock, and load your mat.

Foil Your Project

Place the green cardstock on the cutting mat.

Now we’re going to tape the foil sheet over the green cardstock, this time using the 4″ x 6″ size sheet. Use the tape provided in the Cricut Foil Transfer Kit on each edge.

Green foil taped to the green cardstock around the edges.

Then insert your mat into your machine and make sure you have the Foil Transfer Tool inserted into Clamp B.

Mat with green cardstock and green foil inserted into the Cricut.

Once you’re all ready to go, click the flashing C on your Cricut, and your Cricut machine will foil the project.

Cut Your Cardstock

When your project is done foiling, DO NOT remove the mat. Instead, carefully peel up the tape around your project, making sure not to pull up the cardstock as you peel.

Peeling back the foil to reveal the foiled parts of the plant.

Then switch out your Foil Transfer Tool for the regular Fine Point blade and click the flashing C, and your Cricut will cut around the edge of the plant image. Carefully peel your mat away from your project, put in a cute little bud vase, and display!

I am absolutely in LOVE with both of these projects. I love how the Cricut Foil Transfer System adds a bit of glam and elegance to my projects, but I can still make them fun and bright like I love.

Have questions? I’d love to answer them in the comments!