Hi, crafty friends! It’s Design Team Member Debbie from Debbie J's Crafting Corner and today we’re diving into more Halloween crafting! Halloween is a great time to get creative and experiment with different designs and techniques. Recently, I made a Halloween-themed card on and I just could not get enough of the spooky vibe! So, I decided to take that same design and apply it to my next Artesprix sublimation blank the polished coasters!
**This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated.**
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:
Acrylic Lightening Medium for Sublimation Paint
Pencil
Cardstock
Heat Protective Gloves
Picket Fence Studio - Flying Witch A2 Stencil
Picket Fence Studio - Haunted Moon Blending Stencil
Picket Fence Studio - A Wee Bit Wicked Stamp Set
Blending brushes
Picket Fence Paper Pouncers
Mint Tape
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Trace your coaster blank onto a piece of plain copy paper. I traced out two circles for the two coasters I planned to make.
Step 2: For this project, I wanted to achieve a spooky, layered look with different shades of gray for the moon and a bold, black witch silhouette. To do this, I mixed Artesprix Sublimation Paints to create the perfect gray tones. It’s always a good idea to swatch your colors and press on a scrap piece of polyester fabric before committing to your design, as the colors can look different once heat-pressed.
Pro Tip: Mixing the paints and swatching them beforehand will save you from any surprises later!
Step 3: Using the lightest shade of gray, I painted the entire moon area on both traced circles. This will serve as the background for our layered moon design. Once that layer dried (I sped up the process with a heat gun), I used the Haunted Moon stencil to pounce on the darker gray shades.
Step 4: Next up is the witch! I centered the Flying Witch stencil on the coaster, secured it with mint tape, and applied Artesprix black paint using the pouncing technique. Be sure to use enough paint to get a solid, opaque silhouette. If you’re like me and tend to get a little paint where it doesn’t belong, don’t worry, just have fun with it, remember it is DIY!
Step 5: Once your design is ready, it’s time to transfer it to the coaster. Place your design face down on the coaster and secure it with Heat Tape.
Step 6: Make your sublimation sandwich. Cut two pieces protective paper, one for the bottom (the bottom bun) and another layer of protective paper for top (the top bun), and place your secured project in-between. This protects your heat press and work surface (or protective mat) from any transferred ink.
Step 7: I used my Cricut EasyPress for this project, pressing down firmly for 60 seconds at 400°F. Always check with your blank supplier to know the heat and time needed. Artesprix includes this information on the individual product page and directions portion on the website.
Pro Tip #2: Always use extra care when using a handheld heat source. Ensure not to shift the press while transferring, as this can cause ghosting, an issue where the design shifts slightly and creates a blurry, double image.
Step 8: Before removing all the tape, do a "peek test" to make sure the transfer was successful. Without removing any tape out of place, peel back corner of the paper and confirm your transfer was successful. If you feel your transfer is not as bright as intended, you can re-press since nothing was moved out of place.
Pro Tip #3: My first peek test went great, but for my second coaster, there must have been some slight shifting with my handheld heat source. Since it was vibrant, the pressing process was complete.
Step 9: If the sublimation process is complete, go ahead and remove the design for the big reveal!
I had a couple of trials and errors, but that’s all part of the creative process. Even if the design didn’t turn out exactly as planned, I found that those “mistakes” added a creepy, ghostly effect that’s perfect for Halloween! Whether you’re going for a perfectly crisp design or a more eerie, ghostly effect, Artesprix Iron-on-Ink gives you the flexibility to get creative and make something uniquely yours.
I’d love to see your creations using Artesprix Iron-on-Ink. Share your projects with us using #Artesprix, and #IrononInk, or post them in the Artesprix Facebook Group. Visit my YouTube Channel, Debbie J's Crafting Corner to see more projects by me.
Because if I can make it, You Can Too!
Big Hugs,
Debbie Jenkins
**This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated.**
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