Blank of the Month Custom Holiday Ribbon with Iron-on-Ink

Hi guys! I'm Artesprix Design Team Member Debbie from Debbie J’s Crafting Corner. Today we will be creating some CUSTOM RIBBON!  Who would have thought it? I don’t often use ribbon in my everyday crafting… but Christmas is coming! And we always need some pretty ribbon for our wreath, tree or presents! This roll of Satin Ribbon is the Artesprix December Blank of the Month. Each month Artesprix features a different sublimation blank for you to try with Iron-on-Ink. The blank is only available for one month, so if you feel inspired to try it, grab one from the Artesprix Shop before they are gone! 

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:
Heat Tape
Sublimation Stamp Pad - Black
Original Sublimation Markers 10ct
Protective Paper Roll
December Blank of the Month Satin Ribbon 
Wonderful Christmas Stamp Set from Spellbinders Clear Stamp of the Month October 2022
Oh What Fun Stamp Set from the Spellbinders Card Kit of the Month October 2022
Heat Press or Handheld Craft Press 
Plain Paper
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Create your template. Lay the ribbon across a piece of printer paper and trace with a pencil. I used a ruler to make sure the lines were straight.

Step 2: I picked out a couple of new holiday stamp sets and used my Misti to line everything up where I want it on my template with I  Black Sublimation Stamp Ink. 
Pro Tip: I left the stamps in the Misti and have stamped several more to color while on vacation. The ribbon is so long, I can do as much as I want! YAY!)

Step 3: Color it in with Artesprix markers. In some areas I did a second (or third) layer of ink to make it a bit darker there. Adding the extra layers can help you give it a little more dimension. 

Step 4: After I finished coloring everything in, I lined the ribbon up over the colored image, and taped it down with Heat Tape. It is very important to use Heat Tape, and NOT Scotch Tape or washi tape.  The other tapes are not designed for high heat and will melt into your ribbon. 

Step 4: Next we create the "Sublimation Sandwich". First, I cut two  pieces of protective paper.  Each piece needs to be larger than you ribbon 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. 
Make your sandwich like this, Protective paper on the bottom (bottom bun), ribbon with taped design, and another layer of the protective paper on top. 

Step 5: Time to transfer! I set my Heat Press to 400℉, with a transfer time of 90 seconds. Once it reached temperature, I placed my "sublimation sandwich" under my heat platen and closed the press. Be sure that your "sandwich" is positioned with the paper on top so the heat doesn't have to go through your blank first.

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! 

Oh my goodness! This turned out so pretty! I am LOVING this design. It’s so festive and perfect to go on a wreath! Which means I have more coloring and pressing to do before I put my wreath up!  
This project was very fun, I hope you'll give the December Blank of the Month Satin Ribbon a try!