Celebrating S.T.E.A.M. with Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Zip Case

Hi Everyone! Sarah Goulet, from A Paper Moment, Design Team member here, and I’m excited to share a project that perfectly represents S.T.E.A.M. Did you know National S.T.E.A.M. Day is celebrated in November? S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. The Artesprix Iron-on-Ink sublimation arts and crafts supplies are the perfect integration of science and art. As a laboratory scientist myself, I was super pumped for this project! Keep reading to see how I created a S.T.E.A.M. inspired Canvas Zip Case. 

What are Artesprix Sublimation Arts & Crafts Supplies?
Artesprix has produced specially formulated products that permanently transfer a design you create onto a polyester or polyester coated substrate (the blank) through a mechanism called sublimation. Sublimation is a chemical process in which the combination of heat and pressure allows the solid form of the design to turn into a gas and permanently integrate into your project so it won’t peel or fade. It’s the perfect representation of S.T.E.A.M.! What’s great is that along with the Artesprix sublimation arts and craft supplies such as Sublimation Markers, Paints, and Inks, you can easily utilize items you may already have such as stamps, stencils, and electronic cutting machines for quick and easy projects. You can be a crafty scientist in your own home!

Supplies:
Canvas Zip Case
Sublimation Acrylic Paint
Sublimation Markers - Basic Fine 10ct
Sublimation Markers - Basic Chisel 10ct
Heat Tape
Protective Paper Roll
Protective Project Mat
Electronic Cutting Machine
Spirograph
Mixed Media Paper
Paint Brush (1” )
Mixing palette
Scissors
Pencil
Heat Source
Heat Protective Gloves
Pressing Pillow (or old towel)
Step-By-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Design the phrase you want to use in your electronic cutting machine software. I used Cricut Design Space. I wanted to make a punny joke, so I went with “Don’t Trust Atoms” and “They Make Up Everything” in a fun font.

Step 2: Place a piece of mixed media paper larger than your blank onto your cutting mat. The mixed media paper will handle more moisture from the Sublimation Acrylic paint better than copy paper. Attach the Artesprix Sublimation Basic Fine marker into your machine. 
Pro Tip: Use a brayer to smooth out the paper onto your cutting mat.
Step 3: Size the design to the blank. These Zip Cases are 5x7" so 4x6" is a good size for the text. Set your machine to draw/sketch your phrase onto the paper. Make sure it’s mirrored!

Step 4: Create an additional design repeating the steps above for your second transfer on a second piece of mixed media paper.
Step 5: Using a mixing palette and a paintbrush, mix the green, yellow, and white lightening Sublimation Acrylic paints to create a lime green color. Remember the white lightening medium is used to tint your colors and will not show as white on your projects.
Pro Tip #2: There’s a mixing chart on the Artesprix website!

Step 6: Take your mixed media paper with the drawn lettering and paint the whole piece. You will still be able to see the black outline of the letters through the paint. 
Pro Tip #3: I found when I painted the background first and tried to use my machine to draw the text on top of the paint, the pen would skip sometimes due to the uneven surface of the paint. Let your piece dry!
Pro Tip #4: You can speed up the drying using a heat gun, but it may warp the paper. 

Step 7: Fill in the lettering with the Sublimation Black Basic Chisel marker. Coloring does take some time but the chisel tip feature makes it go by quickly, the final results are worth the effort! 
Step 8: Trace your Canvas Zip Case onto the painted design with pencil to get an idea of how your details will look. Make marks where the zipper seam is as the zipper part will not be placed under your heat source.

Step 9: Now some fun detailing! Using a spirograph, create some atom shaped patterns! Use a pencil in case you don’t like the placement, and can erase it. Pencil will not transfer in sublimation.
Pro Tip #5: You can use a children’s spirograph kit to create your shapes! This is a great project for kids as well! Play around to see which patterns you like best. The spirograph I used my husband 3D printed, but there are plenty that are easily accessible. Alternatively, you can use your electronic cutting machine to draw the shapes.

Step 10: Once you are satisfied with the placement of your atoms, outline as desired with the orange Basic Fine marker. I skipped over the black areas of the lettering. Add in some dots for your protons, electrons, and neutrons! 
Step 11: Cut your design at the top where you marked your zipper seam if needed. Tape your Canvas Zip Case blank to your design using Heat Tape.

Step 12: If using a handheld heat source, start the transfer process by laying the Protective Project Mat on a sturdy work surface. Add a pressing pillow, piece of Protective Paper (to protect the pillow from ink), then the secured project, with another piece of protective paper (to protect the craft press from ink). 

Pro Tip #6: Alternatively, if you do not have a pressing pillow, simply leave the zipper outside the press to prevent uneven pressure. With the high quality blanks Artesprix offers, you do not need to put a piece of Protective Paper inside your Canvas Zip Case. If using another brand, you may consider placing a piece inside to prevent bleeding through to the other side.
Step 13: With your heat source set at 400 ℉, press project for 45 seconds.

Step 14: Using heat protective gloves, peel back a corner of your design to do a “peek test.” If the design hasn’t fully transferred, press again. If it was successful, let the blank cool; then peel off your design to see the transfer!

Step 15: Time to do the other side! Allow to cool completely and repeat the steps above for your second design.

Now you have a customized Canvas Zip Case that showcases the wonderful world of S.T.E.A.M. Use it to hold your protractors, pens, pipettes, and more! I hope I inspired you to put your lab coat to create some fun sublimation projects!
Artesprix makes it so easy to use your crafting supplies. Be sure to share your sublimation projects on the Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Group on Facebook. Also use the hashtags #Artesprix and #IrononInk on your socials so we can see what you’re creating! Finally, check out the Artesprix Blog for more tutorials and inspiration. To see more of what I’ve made, you can browse my Instagram.
Have a great day!
Sarah Goulet
**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.**