Using Handmade Cards for Inspiration when crafting with Artesprix Iron-On Ink!

Hi guys! I’m Debbie from Debbie J’s Crafting Corner. I am super excited to share with you my project today.  My main type of crafting project is handmade cards… and sometimes I have trouble finding ideas for other crafty projects.  Do you ever have that problem? Well, today, I’m using one of the cards I made recently as the inspiration for a fun tropical drawstring bag that I’m creating using Artesprix Iron-on Ink!

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: Normally you would trace your blank onto a plain piece of paper.  For my project today, I’m using a stamp and die set.  The image, when cut out, will fit perfectly because it is smaller than my blank. Before die-cutting, I cut an 8 ½ x 11 piece of cardstock in half so that it will be easier to manage and so that it will fit in my MISTI Stamp Platform for a perfectly stamped design.

Step 2: Next, let’s add a design.  I placed the cut cardstock into my MISTI Stamp Platform and positioned the tropical stamp onto the cardstock before picking the stamp up with the lid of the platform.  Then I inked and stamped the image Black Artesprix Sublimation Stamp Pad. The great thing about the MISTI is that it allows you to restamp in the same spot if you don’t get good enough coverage the first time. 

Once I was happy with the stamping, I removed the card from my MISTI and used some ink from various colors of Artesprix Sublimation Stamp Pads, along with some water and a paintbrush to “watercolor” my design.  I even did a little color mixing to give a little variation to the coloring.

Step 3:  Next we’ll tape the design to the Drawstring Bag Blank with Artesprix Heat Tape. You want to make sure to use Heat Tape, and NOT Scotch Tape or washi tape.  The other tapes will NOT protect your project or your heat press!

Step 4: 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: Now it’s time to transfer! I placed my “sublimation sandwich” onto my Protective Project Mat. Always make sure that the paper with the design (The Cheese in our sandwich) is closest to the heat. I set the temperature and time on my Cricut Easy Press and let it heat up. Once it is hot enough, I “pressed” the design with my easy press.  Be careful not to slide the press because you COULD get ghosting. 

Pro Tip: Check the instructions for your sublimation blank. The Artesprix website gives transfer specifications of 400℉ for 45 seconds for the Drawstring Bag Blank. 

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’m in love with this little bag!  The watercoloring technique is one I’ll be using a lot more.  The bag would be perfect to hold a “Summer Survival Kit” and matches my card so well!  I just love it!

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today while I Get Crafty with Artesprix.

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. (It even comes with several blanks, including some drawstring bags similar to this one, to get you started!)

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