Dragonfly Sublimation Tumbler with Sublimation Craft Inks

January 21, 2024 Artesprix Design Team
Paints, Stamp Ink Refills, Tumbler

Hello all, Lori here, with a new, super crafty, no printer needed sublimation project to inspire you! Did you know that you can combine Artesprix Acrylic Lightening Medium Paint with all 9 Artesprix Sublimation Stamp Refill Ink to create stunning abstract art and custom colors? It’s the perfect technique to use with and blank, especially Artesprix’s Sublimation Tumbler. Check out the steps below to explore this artistic way to maximize the use of Artresprix Sublimation Craft Inks.

sublimation tumbler with artesprix Iron-on-ink

**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?

It is an interesting and fun product that allows you to create a design on standard copy paper that can then be heat transferred onto surfaces (must have polyester in it or have a polyester coating). Once the project is transferred to the blank, it is lifetime permanent. Before Artesprix, you would need a fancy printer to experience this level of personalization, but not anymore!

sublimation tumbler, sublimation wrap, artesprix iron-on-ink, sublimation stamps

Supplies:

Sublimation Stamp Ink Refill – Blue Purple, Black and Green

Sublimation Stamp ink – Black, Purple

Sublimation Acrylic Lightening Medium - White

Protective Project Mat

Emerald Creek – Lori’s Cards and Creations, Sublimation Inspired Background stamp, Sublimation Life Quotes Set & Be You Dragonfly

Craft Mat

Palette Knife

Computer Paper

Fan Brush

Stamp Press

Heat Press

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Apply a layer of Acrylic Sublimation Lightening Medium onto a craft mat with palette knife.

artesprix acrylic Lightning paint

Step 2: Add a few drops of Blue, Purple, and Green Sublimation Stamp Ink Refill onto the layer of Lightening Medium. Spritz with water.

acrylic white lightning medium with artesprix stamp ink

Step 3: Drag palette knife over paint and ink mixture to blend.

artesprix sublimation stamp ink mixed with white lightning acrylic paint medium

Step 4: Place a piece of copy paper into the wet paint/ink mixture and lift carefully. Allow to dry.

artesprix sublimation iron-on-ink background design

Step 5: Once your background is dry, use Emerald Creek – Lori’s Cards and Creations, Sublimation Inspired Background stamp, Sublimation Life Quotes Set & Be You Dragonfly to add text.

sublimation stamp for sublimation design

Step 6: Stamp the Be You Dragonfly design onto the background with Black Sublimation Stamp Ink.

dragonfly fly stamp on artesprix design

Step 7: Stamp Sublimation Stamp onto background with Black Sublimation Stamp Ink.

sublimation stamp on artesprix iron-on-ink background

Step 8: On a craft mat, dilute a few drops of Black Stamp Refill ink with water and then apply splatters to the inked paper with a fan brush.

sublimation black stamp ink splatter

Step 9: Remove plastic lid and sticker from Tumbler.

Step 9: Once the design is finished and dry, secure face-down to the tumbler with heat tape.

secured design to tumbler before transfer

Pro Tip: You may have to trim down your design, or fray the edges of the paper with scissors to ensure your design is flush with the tumbler.

Step 10: Depending on whether you are using an oven or tapered tumbler press the steps will be different:

If using a Tapered Cylinder Heat Press:

1. Before turning on your Cylinder Heat Press, place blank number inside and ensure pressure is adjust appropriately to compensate for the angled tapered surface.

protective paper around tumbler before transfer

2. Wrap secured project with protective paper.

3. Set Cylinder Heat Press to 400℉ for 1 minute.

sublimation tumbler in tapered tumbler press

4. Once heat source has reached temperature, place project with protective paper inside and press.

5. Once timer is complete, using heat gloves, remove Tumbler and place on Protective Project Mat to cool.

artesprix design on tumbler after transfer

6. After Tumbler has cooled, without removing too much tape, take a peek to ensure your transfer was successful. If it was not, check your time and temperature and re-press.

7. Once you confirmed your transfer was successful, reveal your completed Tumbler!

If using a Sublimation/ Craft Oven:

1. Place secured project inside Sublimation Wrap and shrink with a heat gun. This will act as the pressure in the oven.

sublimation tumbler with sublimation wrap

2. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Set the timer to 5 minutes. Once the oven has reached temperature, place the Tumbler in the center of the rack.

3. After 5 minutes is complete, wearing heat gloves, remove the Tumbler from the oven and place on Protective Project Mat.

4. If you can see your design through the Sublimation Wrap, then you most likely got a good transfer.

Pro Tip: It is easier to remove the Sublimation Wrap while it is still warm.

5. After removing your wrap, peek behind a small portion of the design to confirm the transfer was successful. If it was not, check the heat tape, add a new Sublimation Wrap and re-heat.

6. If your transfer was successful, remove your design.

before and after artesprix sublimation tumbler

I find it very satisfying that I can create useful Art like this ArtesprixTumbler project with Iron-on-Ink. It must be that both my Right and Left Brain’s needs are met. Whatever it is, I’m in love with Sublimation and these Arestprix products! If you have yet to try a non-flat blank like this, grab your favorite Artesprix medium and give it a try!

Don’t forget to visit the Artesprix Facebook Group where Makers are always sharing inspirational projects.

Happy Day!

Lori Warren