Hello again! It’s Mandie, back again with another great Iron-on-Ink project. This month’s Blank of the Month couldn’t have more perfect timing, a blank Garden Flag! It’s spring time so it’s time to get out all the yard décor and be outside, so making a new Garden Flag is the perfect way to celebrate the weather warming up for Spring! Artesprix also just came out with a new Heat Resistant Transfer Mask. I'm excited I was able to try this to achieve a fun look!
**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 Sublimation Iron-on-Ink?
Iron-on-Ink is an innovative craft sublimation medium to create unique designs that you can transfer to a endless selection of blanks. You can create some amazing one-of-a-kind gifts that will last a lifetime. When the finished sublimation design is combined with heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas and binds to the polyester fabric or poly-coated blank leaving you with a permanent transfer. Between Artesprix's plethora of Iron-on-Ink products and the endless amount of compatible sublimation blanks, the possibilities are endless! Iron-on-Inks is fabulous because you don’t have to invest in an expensive sublimation printer to create some high quality projects right in your home! Plus, if you’re more “hands on” or “hands inky” like me, I feel you can get so much more creative with the Sublimation Inks, Paints and Markers that Artesprix offers!
Supplies:
Sublimation Paint
Sublimation Marker Sets:
Ink Daubers
Teflon Sheet
Hero Arts Beelieve Clear Stamps
Hero Arts Sweet as Honey Stamps
Heat Source: Heat Press or Craft Press
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Sketch out your design onto a blank sheet of copy paper. I had a loose vision in my head of what I wanted my Garden Flag to look like. I started with my main focal point, a bee gnome. I colored in the bee gnome with the Markers (Bold Chisel, Pastel Chisel, and Fine Basic). Then I cut out around his shape, leaving a border for me to tape it down later.
Step 2: I stamped out the bees from the Beelieve and Sweet as Honey Stamp Sets with the Black Sublimation Stamp Ink. Then I used the markers to color them in as well.
Step 3: I wanted a honeycomb background, so I decided to try out the new Heat Resistant Transfer Mask. I used my Cricut to design the honeycomb shapes to cut out from the Mask material. When cutting this material, you will put the green side UP and cut as Premium Vinyl if you are using a Cricut. The directions for all machines can be found HERE.
Pro Tip: When you peel the Mask from the mat, make sure to bend the mat away from the material to keep the mask from bunching or pulling. Then you will remove the clear protective backing from the mask and apply it to the flag.
Step 4: I wanted to have a variegated yellow for the honeycomb, so I decided to paint a sheet of copy paper with the Yellow and White Sublimation Paint. I used a sponge to dab color all over my paper and then let it dry completely.
Step 5: Now that I have all of the elements for my flag, we are ready to transfer! You’re going to want to adjust your heat source to the recommended settings. For this blank it’s recommended 400℉ for 55 seconds.
Step 6: I started by heat pressing the yellow painted paper over the honeycomb Mask I created Then I removed all of that and taped down my gnome as well as 3 of the bees I had stamped and pressed the flag a second time. For both pressings, I used fresh protective paper above and below my flag to keep the ink from getting on my press.
Pro Tip 2: Double pressing can cause colors to lighten from the 1st pressing, but that is the effect I wanted in the end.
Step 7: Once you’ve pressed your blank you can now do a "peek test". Simply lift up the corner and see if your design has transferred. You’ll want to keep the tape in place in case you need to re-press.
Step 9: My "peek test" was successful, the colors looked great, so I revealed my finished project and WOW! Look at the difference between the before and after it has been pressed. Everything is now much more vibrant, that is a part of the sublimation magic!
It was so fun and easy to create my very own Bee Gnome Flag for my garden! This Garden Flag Blank is available in the Artesprix Shop for the month of April only. I feel like I need to stock up, so I can create a new flag for every season! Don’t forget to join the Artesprix Iron-On Inspirational Group on Facebook and share your ideas too!
Looking forward to sharing my next project with you!
Mandie Wade
**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.**
Comments