Down the Rabbit Hole Artesprix Necktie!

Hello Creative, Rita Barakat here!

I am a mixed media artist, and Down the Rabbit Hole is my first post for Artesprix! Being a longtime lover of all things whimsy, I thought it would be fun to do an Alice themed project for my first post! Hopefully you love Alice too and even if not, this post will inspire you to do something creative! 

What are Sublimation Markers?

Artesprix Sublimation markers enable you to draw on regular copy paper and transfer on to sublimation blank materials such as totes bags, bookmarks and keychains and more. Draw any design you like with a pencil and color with Artesprix Sublimation Markers to personalize and create fun new projects!

Materials:

• Sublimation Markers Original 10-piece Set
• Blank of the Month Poly Necktie Blank
• Heat Press or Regular Iron
• Heat Tape
• Protective Paper Roll
• Paper
• Pencil

Step by Step Instructions:

Step 1. Create your design using the Artesprix Markers and draw on your plain copy paper!  Normally you would create a template with pencil for your project, pencil doesn’t transfer, and it will be less likely that it marks up your blank. For this project I wanted to cover the entire page, knowing that I would need a lot of diamond designs! The theme, 'Down the Rabbit Hole' has a lot of whimsical motifs, make sure when you choose your pattern that you leave those motifs on the inside and keep the plain patterns (in this case, diamonds) on the edge of your paper so it’s easier to line up. 

*Remember to mirror any text in your design.* 

Pro Tip: Lint roll and wick out the moisture in your Artesprix Necktie! Whenever you are working with a fabric blank it is always a good idea to take this step to insure a crisp transfer. Wicking out the moisture means you press your Polyester Necktie in the heat press for 3 seconds. This gets rid of all the moisture before the design transfer process in Step 5. 

Step 3. Secure your design to the Artesprix Necktie. If using a Home Iron or crafting iron, more heat tape should be applied to prevent any shifting during the transfer process. This tie is slippery so you might need a little more Artesprix Heat Tape. Also, if you are trying to create a continuous pattern make sure to line it up and attach it with tape so there is absolutely no movement! 

*Do not cover your design with tape.* 

Step 4. When your design is completed, cut two pieces of the siliconized release Artesprix Protective Paper. The blank should be in the center of the appropriate size paper. Make an Artesprix, "Sublimation Sandwich." The Iron-on-Ink design should be secured face down on top side of the Sublimation Sandwich. Note that your protective paper should be larger than your copy paper/design.

Step 4. Double check Time, Temperature, and Pressure before doing your transfer. The design is secured face down on the top side of your sandwich, with 2 pieces Protective Paper on the outside of your secured design. Place your entire project in the Artesprix Heat Press and close the clamp to transfer your design! Your Heat Press should be set for 400 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 seconds. 

Step 5. So exciting! Time to take a peek after the timer goes off! Make sure that everything looks good before moving the tape! To cover the necktie, repeat steps 2-4, lining up the diamonds. Make sure to give yourself simple ways to line up your repeated patterns on your tie so that you won’t be headed down the rabbit hole!

Step 6. Tada! Don’t you love how bright, fun and silly this came out? I must admit my lines aren’t perfect but not bad for a newbie to sublimation! If I can do it, so can you! Just think of all that you can create! 

Did this inspire you to create something fun and whimsical? Leave me your thoughts in the comments below and make sure to pop in the shop at Artesprix!

Blessings! 

Rita Barakat