Hello again, my name is Adam and I am a paper crafting guru. I have branched out into the world of sublimation crafts from paper crafting and I have a great project for you today. My favorite type of vacation is cruising. I saw this wonderful bag tag blank and knew immediately I had to use it to make myself some new bag tags for my luggage. I will be going on several trips in the near future and will be able to spot my bag quickly with the new tag attached.
What is Sublimation Arts and Crafts?
You ask “what is sublimation ink or crafting”, well for me I see it as an extension of what I currently use. Artesprix Iron-on Ink offers a complete line of sublimation products that allow artists and crafters to personalize polyester-coated blanks with their own designs.
I have discovered Sublimation Markers and Sublimation Iron-on Ink are two forms of the same product. It is heat transferable ink. I can color in stamped images with the markers after I stamp the images using the sublimation iron-on-ink onto printer paper. This ink in marker form or pad form is amazingly intense and colorful once it is ironed or heat press set onto the final blank used for the project. It will appear dull on the printer paper but the final product is beyond belief. The colors are very bright and intense.
Materials:
Any Design Stamps (Cling or Rubber Stamps)
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Start by tracing the blank to be used. I leave 1-2 inches of white space for ease of alignment of my Bag Tag.
Step 2: Using a stamp of your choosing, ink it with the Artesprix Sublimation Stamp Black Ink, then onto the printer paper. Make sure the designs on the stamp fall were I want them and often it is best to stamp outside your traced template.
Pro Tip: Turn on the heat press during this stage. This allows plenty of time to get the press to the proper temperature. For the Bag Tag set it to 400℉.
Step 3: Color your stamped design using a variety of Artesprix Sublimation markers. I use shades of the same color to give the images definition and dimension when coloring.
Step 4: All Artesprix Bag Tags are double sided. Secure your Bag Tag to the design with Heat Resistant Tape. The heat resistant tape is important because it resists the heat and does leave a sticky residue onto the finished product.
Pro Tip #2: Keep in mind where you place the tape because it resists the heat and may affect the colors and design stamped.
Step 5: This is what is referred to as a "Sublimation Sandwich". Cut two pieces of the protective paper larger than the project being heated. The blank with the secured design is to be placed between the two sheets, ensuring the design is on the top of the blank facedown. The protective paper protects the heating surface from the sublimation ink being transferred onto it as well as keeping the other side of the blank bare for another design.
Step 6: Transfer according to the specifications for the specific Sublimation Blank. I chose the Plastic Bag Tag, and since I am using the Artesprix Heat Press, I will transfer at 400℉ for 60 seconds. If you're using a Home Iron, set to the highest heat, no steam, and hold stationary for approximately 3 minutes.
Step 7: The most important step in the project, I think, the "Peek Test"! Do not remove the tape from the blank until you lift a corner of the printer paper with the design to verify the transfer was successful. The colors should be more intense than before. If the transfer could use more time, close the heat press and re-heat for addition time. This could mean the press was not fully heated and just needs a bit more time or item not sandwiched and placed correctly onto the heat press.
Step 8: If your transfer was successful, carefully, remove the paper with the design to reveal your project!
Step 9: You can either add another design to the other side by repeating the steps above or add the Bag Tag Loop that is included. As a last minute decision I decided to add the initials of a friend to the tag and gift it. The letters were die cut out of card stock and using glossy accents I attached them to the tag.
Thank you for following along my Bag Tag Project Blog today. If you liked this or plan to try it yourself, please drop a comment below as we would love to hear from you. Don't forget, there are still a few days left to grab your December Blank of the Month Wine Caddy. Check out what I did with mine! You can find more of my work on my Instagram.
Happy Crafting!
Adam
Beautiful!