Q1: I'm using xTool Hot Foil Pen, but I'm not seeing much difference in line thickness between the bold, regular, and thin pen tips. Why is this, and what can I do?
Explanation
How xTool Hot Foil Pen works
Material deformability and contact area
Solution
Q2: Why is there loose foil powder along the lines after processing with the included foil?
Explanation
Solution
Q3: What advantages does xTool Hot Foil Pen offer over xTool Foil Transfer Tip?
Q4: What materials are compatible with my xTool Hot Foil Pen? What is its maximum working height?
Q5: Which foils are recommended for my xTool Hot Foil Pen?
Q6: What is the working temperature of xTool Hot Foil Pen? Can it be adjusted?
Q7: How do I achieve consistent foil transfer results?
Q8: Can the Hot Foil Pen create embossed/debossed effects?
Q9: Can my xTool Hot Foil Pen be used handheld?
Q10: Are certain pen tips (Bold/Regular/Thin) better suited for specific materials?
Q11: Why is xTool Creative Space software unable to detect my xTool Hot Foil Pen?
Q1: I'm using xTool Hot Foil Pen, but I'm not seeing much difference in line thickness between the bold, regular, and thin pen tips. Why is this, and what can I do?
Explanation
The observed line thickness primarily depends on the material's deformability – that is, how easily it changes shape under pressure – and the pressure settings used.
How xTool Hot Foil Pen works
The Hot Foil Pen works by applying pressure to the foil through its tip, transferring the foil to the material beneath.
Material deformability and contact area
Low Deformability Materials: These materials are rigid and don't easily deform under pressure. That means the contact area between the pen tip and the material is minimal, regardless of which pen tip size you use. Therefore, the line thicknesses will appear very similar.
High Deformability Materials (e.g., notebook covers): These materials are more flexible and do deform easily under pressure. You can significantly enhance the contact area by increasing the pressure setting within the xTool Creative Space (XCS) software. This will cause the tip to press further into the material, resulting in a more noticeable difference in line thickness between the Bold, Regular, and Fine tips.
Solution
For the most noticeable difference in line thicknesses, use highly deformable materials and/or increase the pressure settings as needed within XCS.
Q2: Why is there loose foil powder along the lines after processing with the included foil?
Explanation
During the hot foiling process, the foil near the edges of the pen tip area is also subject to some pressure. This causes loose foil powder to appear near the processed lines.
Solution
This loose powder does not affect the quality of the foiling. You can simply wipe away the excess powder with a clean cloth or paper.
Q3: What advantages does xTool Hot Foil Pen offer over xTool Foil Transfer Tip?
xTool Hot Foil Pen uses heat to bond foil to materials. This means that it:
Creates vibrant, long-lasting results using heat-activated bonding for foil.
Produces waterproof, wear-resistant finishes.
Compatible with broader material types (e.g., wood, acrylic, faux leather).
Offers greater creative flexibility compared to pressure-based xTool Foil Transfer Tip.
Q4: What materials are compatible with my xTool Hot Foil Pen? What is its maximum working height?
Best for smooth surfaces: Paper, cardstock, kraft paper, glitter cardstock, faux leather, acrylic, wood, other smooth surfaces.
Material thickness:
Standard: Up to 21 mm.
With Riser base: Extends to 139 mm (making it ideal for 3D object processing projects such as personalized gift boxes).
Q5: Which foils are recommended for my xTool Hot Foil Pen?
Recommended: For optimal results, it is recommended to use the heat-activated foil paper included with the pen, optimized for 90°C.
Avoid: Standard pressure-based foils, as they yield suboptimal results.
⚠️ Foil performance may vary based on material texture and temperature.
Q6: What is the working temperature of xTool Hot Foil Pen? Can it be adjusted?
Fixed Temperature: Operates at a temperature range of 90–100°C (non-adjustable).
Environmental Impact: The ambient conditions may slightly affect the maximum heat output; colder environments could reduce it marginally.
Q7: How do I achieve consistent foil transfer results?
Use xTool Material EasySet Library: Select pre-tested settings for common materials within xTool Creative Space or by visiting the website.
For Third-party Materials Unlisted in XCS: If you intend to process a material not listed in xTool Material EasySet library, perform a test run first. Experiment with different parameter settings to find what works best.
Surface Prep: Ensure materials are smooth and free of debris.
Foil Placement: Press the foil firmly and evenly against the material. This helps to minimize inconsistencies.
⚠️ Foil Variability: Be aware that foil performance may vary slightly depending on the specific type and brand of foil used.
Q8: Can the Hot Foil Pen create embossed/debossed effects?
No. Excessive pressure may damage the tip of your pen.
Workaround: It's recommended to first use xTool Foil Transfer Tip (designed for pressure) to create debossing effect. Subsequently, you can use xTool Hot Foil Pen to apply foil to the embossed area for enhanced visual appeal.
Q9: Can my xTool Hot Foil Pen be used handheld?
No.
The pen requires power from M1 Ultra via its dedicated port. Handheld use is not supported.
Q10: Are certain pen tips (Bold/Regular/Thin) better suited for specific materials?
No.
Tip sizes (Bold, Regular, Thin) only affect line thickness, not material compatibility.
Q11: Why is xTool Creative Space software unable to detect my xTool Hot Foil Pen?
Update Software: Ensure XCS is v2.4.27 or newer.
Install Plugins: After updating the software, follow on-screen prompts to update required plugins.