On-Site & In-Studio Foil Lettering for Events & Gifts

Heat Foiling

FOR LEATHER GOODS & MORE!

What is Heat Foiling?

Heat foiling (or "hot foiling") is a technique that uses a heat pen to apply metallic foil lettering onto surfaces such as leather, vegan leather, and even cardstock. Each name, initial, or phrase is written by hand resulting in a smooth, shiny finish that feels both personal and polished.

Think of this service as the hand-crafted version of the foil-stamping personalization often seen at luxury boutiques, where customers get their initials stamped onto leather goods. The difference is that this is done entirely by hand, with no bulky machinery or set-up required, allowing for more fonts, expressive script styles, and delicate hand drawn accents that can be customized in real time and tailored to each guest’s taste!

Black leather wallet featuring blind debossed initials created by JW Lettering in Toronto at Luca Faloni Store Launch, showing tone-on-tone personalization without foil.
In-store personalization setup at Luca Faloni Toronto, featuring JW Lettering’s live heat foiling station for leather goods.

Live Heat Foiling for Events & Brand Activations

Guests can customize items like cardholders, keychains, or notebooks with their initials or names in gold, silver, rose gold, or other metallic finishes. Watching each piece being hand-foiled adds a captivating, interactive element that leaves guests feeling appreciated and engaged, all without the need for a bulky stamping machine as our heat foiling tools are completely compact & portable, with no need to set up extension cords or outlets.

Perfect for:

  • Corporate events & brand activations
  • Retail pop-ups & product launches
  • Weddings & private celebrations
Black leather luggage tags personalized with gold foil names in script calligraphy using JW Lettering’s in-studio heat foiling technique in Toronto.
Close-up of gold foil calligraphy on a brown leather luggage tag personalized by JW Lettering in Toronto using a heat foiling pen.

In-Studio Heat Foiling for Custom Projects

For smaller-scale projects or pre-event personalized gifting, in-studio foiling offers the same care and quality without the live setup.

Each item is foiled by hand in my home studio in Vaughan, where every detail from foil colour to lettering style is customized to your vision.

Heat Foiling Personalization

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Before booking your heat foiling project, it’s important to review a few details about materials, testing, and design options. Since every item is unique, these FAQs will help ensure your products can be safely and beautifully personalized.

Do you need to test the material before foiling?

Before confirming your project, it’s REQUIRED to test your material to ensure it’s compatible with heat and foil. Different coatings, textures, and finishes can react unpredictably (e.g. some may resist adhesion or burn through the material).

I perform a brief in-studio test to evaluate how well the foil adheres and how cleanly the finish transfers. If the material isn’t suitable, I’ll recommend an alternative personalization method such as hand lettering or leather painting to achieve a similar polished look.

***Note: pricing to be adjusted as needed in case alternative personalization methods are selected.

All testing and in-studio foiling take place at my home studio in Vaughan (Rutherford & Dufferin). Once your booking is confirmed, we can coordinate a time for drop-off or courier for your sample item. After testing, you’ll receive feedback and recommendations before we proceed with your full project.

 What foil colours are available?

I offer a curated range of foil colours to complement different materials and aesthetics.

The most popular shades are gold
and silver, though other metallics may be available upon request.

For a more subtle, textural effect, clients can also choose blind debossing, which is a tone-on-tone impression without foil that looks beautifully understated on natural leather.

What font styles can you do?

Font selection depends on whether the project is in-studio or live on-site.

In-Studio Projects:

  • Serif fonts - classic and refined, ideal for branding or formal gifts
  • Script fonts - elegant, flowing, and timeless

Live Event Foiling:

  • Script style
  • Monoline block letters

 **Note: Because traditional serif lettering (Roman style) involves more intricate strokes, it’s reserved for studio projects where there’s more time to perfect each letterform.

Have more questions?

Explore Heat Foiling for Your Next Event

Whether you’re
planning a large activation or a small celebration, heat foiling adds a
special, handmade touch that turns ordinary items into lasting keepsakes.
Inquire to book or request a quote:

get in touch