DIY Custom Iron-on Ink Pendants | Sublimation WITHOUT a Printer

Hey guys! It’s Debbie from Debbie J’s Crafting Corner. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you a fun and creative project using Artesprix Iron-On Ink to make beautiful custom jewelry pendants. This project is perfect for adding a unique, personalized touch to your jewelry collection. Let’s dive right in!

What is Artesprix Iron-on-Ink?

Artesprix Iron-on-Ink is a game-changer for crafters. It’s a specialized sublimation ink that allows you to transfer vibrant designs onto compatible surfaces with heat and pressure. Unlike traditional sublimation, which requires expensive printers, Artesprix makes it accessible for all makers. Once your design is transferred, it’s permanently infused, making it durable and long-lasting.

Supplies:

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Preparing the Blanks

Start by tracing the shape of your jewelry blank onto a piece of regular copy paper using a pencil. This will help you position your design perfectly. I’ve chosen some stamps from my stash, including a cute sunflower and a little bird on a branch.

Step 2: Stamping Your Design

Place your traced paper into your stamping platform or use a stamping block. Ink your stamp with black Artesprix Sublimation Ink and press it onto the paper. If you’re using a MISTI, you can re-stamp to ensure good coverage. For my sunflower design, I stamped it slightly off-center to capture the flower within the blank’s shape.

Step 3: Coloring Your Design

Now it’s time to color! Using Artesprix Sublimation Markers, fill in your stamped design. These markers are easy to use, though they don’t blend like alcohol-based markers. Start with your base colors and layer for more vibrant effects. For my sunflower, I used yellow, orange, and brown for a realistic look, and blues for the background and honey jar cover.

Step 4: Assembling the Sublimation Sandwich

Tape your design to the textured side of the patch using Artesprix heat tape. Make sure everything is securely in place to avoid shifting during the heat transfer.

For the “Sublimation Sandwich” you need protective paper. I cut a piece and folded in half. Make sure that each half is larger than your blank and design. 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:

1. Protective paper on the bottom (bottom bun)

2. Your blank with taped design (the blank is the burger, the design in the cheese)

3. And another layer of the protective paper on top. (top bun)

Step 5: Sublimating Your Design

Preheat your heat press to 400°F and set the timer for 45 seconds. Place your “sublimation sandwich” on a protective mat. Press down with firm pressure. If you’re using a clamshell heat press, adjust it to apply heavy pressure.

Step 6: The Peek Test

Before removing all the tape, peel back a small section of your design to ensure a successful transfer. If everything looks good, remove the tape and reveal your beautiful new patch.

Step 7: Assembling the Pendant

Let your blanks cool down before handling. Once cool, place your designs into the pendant bezels. Use the provided adhesive or your own strong adhesive like E6000 to secure them. Your custom jewelry pendants are now ready to wear or gift!

I absolutely love how these pendants turned out! They are vibrant and unique, perfect for adding a personal touch to any outfit. If you create your own jewelry pendants using Artesprix Iron-On Ink, I’d love to see your creations! Share your projects using #debbiejscraftingcorner, #Artesprix, and #IronOnInk.

Thanks so much for crafting with me today.

If you do not have enough blanks in your Maker’s toolbox yet, head on over to the Artesprix Shop, right now! They have a “Starter Kit” that I highly recommend.

I would love to see what you create using your craft supplies and Artesprix Iron-On Ink!

Share your Artesprix projects with us by using #debbiejscraftingcorner, #Artesprix and #IrononInk or post it to the Artesprix Facebook Group.

Because, if I can make it, You Can too!

~Big Hugs!

Debbie J