Hi guys! I’m Debbie from Debbie J’s Crafting Corner.
Today’s we are making something fun for your yard! A custom yard flag. This is just too cute!
What is Artesprix Iron-on-Ink?
Artesprix Iron-on-Ink is specialty sublimation ink in craft form. Traditionally sublimation ink is found in a fancy (expensive) printer. However, Artesprix hit the crafting scene in 2018 giving Makers, like me, the ability to experience sublimation without high-end equipment. Sublimation is when ink transforms to a gas and then binds to a compatible blank once combined with heat and pressure. The big deal? Once the design is infused to the polyester coated blank or polyester fabric, it is lifetime permanent!
Supplies:
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: First let’s prep the template. Our Artesprix Garden Flag Blank is much larger than a sheet of copy paper. However, an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of copy paper placed horizontally is about the width of the blank.
I decided to use 2 sheets of copy paper to create my design on. One for the top half of the flag and the other for the bottom half. The sheets will overlap a little… but that’s ok. I’ll show you how I handled that in a minute.
Step 2: Next, let’s add a design. I’m trying something really new for me. I’ll be using some of the Artesprix Paints and a Gel Press to add the design to the top of one of my paper sheets.
I’m also using the Hero Arts Lacy Floral Stencil.
I first placed the stencil onto a clean gel press, and pressed it into the surface. I just need it to stick well enough so that not too much paint goes under the stencil. Since this is going to be the sky, I’m not really too concerned if the paint goes underneath. Then I added blue and white paint over the stencil and brayered it over most of the stencil. The stencil is smaller than the area I’m working on, so I moved it a couple of time and added the blended Artesprix Paints over it.
Then I “pulled” the paint from the press onto a sheet of copy paper. This is a new technique for me and takes a bit of practice…. But it’s so much fun!
NOTE: The white Artesprix paint isn’t actually white. It’s a color lightener so that you can have different shades of the same color.
For the bottom half of the flag, I’m stamping and coloring some flowers using black Artesprix Sublimation Stamp Ink, three Hero Arts Stamp Sets and some Artesprix markers. There are so many new colors available that I just combined different marker sets to get the look I was going for.
Step 3: Next we’ll tape the design to the garden flag. I trimmed around the lower edge of my “sky” and the top of my “flowers” to try to get it all to fit at once. No such luck. Plus, this blank turned out to be LARGER than the heating surface of my larger heat press.
No worries. I just pressed the design in two steps.
For each press, I taped the design onto my garden flag blank with Heat Tape, made my sublimation sandwich and pressed the design in the heat press.
You want to make sure to use Heat Tape, and NOT Scotch Tape or washi tape. The other tapes will NOT protect your heat press!
Step 4: For the “Sublimation Sandwich” you need 2 sheets of protective paper that are larger than your design and blank.
The protective paper is used to “protect” your heat press from the ink. The ink is transferred by heat. And, if you transfer some to your press, you MAY transfer some to your NEXT project. And in areas that you don’t want.
Make your sandwich like this:
- Protective paper on the bottom (bottom bun)
- Your blank with taped design (the blank is the burger, the design in the cheese)
- And another layer of the protective paper on top. (top bun)
Step 5: Now it’s time to transfer! Always make sure that the paper with the design is closest to the heat. I set the temperature and time and let it heat up. Then I placed my “sublimation sandwich” into my large heat press.
Pro Tip: Check the instructions for your sublimation blank. The Artesprix website gives transfer specifications of 400℉ for 55 seconds. I set the temperature and time on my heat press.
Step 6: “Peek Test” time, this can be a project saver! Before removing any tape, peel back a small part of your design to ensure the transfer was successful.
Step 7: Once you confirmed your transfer was successful, remove your design for the big reveal!
Step 8: I just love those bright orange flowers! And I learned (by trying it) that you CAN press twice on the same project. That opens so many possibilities and I’ll be experimenting more on future projects. Awesome!
Check out the video!
I really appreciate you hanging out with me today and would love to see what you create using your craft supplies and Artesprix Iron-On Ink!
If you do not have any in your Maker’s toolbox yet, head on over to the Artesprix Shop, right now. They have a “Starter Kit” that I highly recommend. Share your Artesprix projects with us by using #Artesprix and #IrononInk or post it to the Artesprix Facebook Group.
Because, if I can make it, You Can too!
~Big Hugs!
Debbie J
