Decorative Metal Panel Iron-on-Ink Birthday Sign

Hello! I’m Alison Heikkila. Thanks for visiting the Artesprix Blog today! My latest project for Artesprix uses the Decorative Panel, which is 6x6" and made of metal. It comes with a stand that gets attaches after the sublimation process. The cool thing about this Decorative Panel is that there’s plenty of room to create an awesome design, but it’s not so huge that it’s overwhelming. I tried to come up with something that’s useful, as opposed to simply decorative. I enjoy decorating my home seasonally, but I never really have anything for birthdays, so I decided this Panel was the perfect element to make a birthday sign. This way, it can easily be added and removed whenever we’re celebrating a birthday, and will last a lifetime! 

**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 Iron-on-Ink?
Artesprix Sublimation Markers, Ink, and Paint are specially formulated to allow you to use basic copy paper to: color, stamp, stencil, and monoprint anything you wish and turn it into a heat-transferable design. These designs are then applied to a polyester or polyester coated substrate with heat and pressure. You can use a heat press or a home iron! These designs, through this process of sublimation, will become permanent on your substrates.

Supplies:

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Trace the Decorative Panel on to copy paper with a pencil. The pencil marks will not transfer during sublimation.

Step 2: Line the first stencil up on the paper. Apply low tack tape to the stencil and paper to keep it from moving. Apply Red Ink to the paper using a Blending Brush.

Pro Tip: This stencil set has 4 stencils, which makes inking in different colors easy. However, they do not reach the edge of the outline, so we will need to stencil a couple of extra rosettes to fill in the extra space. More on that to follow.

Step 3: Remove the stencil from the paper and flip it around so that you can make a complete rosette on the right side.

Step 4: Use the second stencil in the set with Yellow Ink. Again, you will need to remove the stencil, rotate it, and complete the last rosette on the right side.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 2-4 on the opposite side of the outline.

Step 6: Line up the third stencil and ink it with Pink. I masked off the last rosette on the right side because I wouldn’t be able to complete it based on it’s shape. We will add an additional rosette to fill in the space. You can do the opposite side at this point, if you'd like.

Step 7: Line up the 4th stencil and ink it with Green Ink. Again, be sure to mask off the one rosette on the right side and ink the other side of the outlined area.

Step 8: Choose a rosette to finish off the empty space on the right. Ink with the Pink, then the green. Don’t forget to do the opposite side!

Here is what the completed stenciling looks like. You can’t even tell that we added to the original stenciled design!

Step 9: Let’s add the sentiment! We need to stamp our sentiment in reverse so that when we sublimate, it’s facing the correct way. To do this, I am using a Mirror Stamp. It is stamping plate that allows you to reverse your stamps. Ink the sentiment while it’s on a clear block (I used Blue), then stamp it on to the Mirror Stamp (be careful not to shift it!), then stamp it onto the paper where desired.

Pro Tip: Mirror Stamping works best with conditioned (or used) stamps. The stamps I used were brand new, if I had "seasoned" my stamps, I would have had a better initial impression. 

Step 10: Because Artesprix’s sublimation markers match the ink colors so well, I was able to fill in the areas that didn’t stamp perfectly with the coordinating markers.

This is what the finished design looks like. It’s so festive!

Step 11: Adhere the Decorative Panel to the design using Heat Tape.

Step 12: Let’s make our "Sublimation Sandwich"! Add a layer of siliconized paper to the top and bottom of your Blank. Your sandwich will be: Protective Paper, Colored Design, Blank, Protective Paper. The Protective Paper prevents any of the design from accidentally transferring to either side of your heat source or work surface. 

Step 13: Sublimate the Decorative Panel for 90 seconds at 400℉.

Step 14: Time for the "Peek Test"! Carefully lift a small portion of your art off of the Blank to ensure a good transfer. If you need to re-press your piece, you can do it since you haven’t moved the paper out of place.

Here is the sublimated Decorative Panel with the original art. Look at how vibrant the colors are on the Panel!

Step 15: All we have left to do is to attach the accompanying stand once the panel as cooled. Slightly bend the stand, peel the backing off, and place it towards the bottom of the panel. Press so that it adheres.

What a fun (and useful) sign this is! I happened to make it just in time for my birthday, so my husband was sure to have it displayed on our table. It’ll be fun to pull it out whenever a birthday is coming up. How would you like to get more ideas on using Artesprix’s Sublimation Ink Pads, Markers, and Paint? There’s a Facebook Group that’s just for fans of Artesprix! You can click HERE to join. Also, don't forget to visit the Artesprix store to see all of the available blanks and bundles, so you can get started with sublimation. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have an inspiring day!

Alison Heikkila 

**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.**