Father's Day Bottle Opener with Iron-on-Ink

Hello! My name is Chelsea Rose and I am a military spouse, mother, baker and crafter currently living in Japan with my Navy husband, our two boys and our doggo. I love being able to make my own gifts and crafts with Artesprix products to create permanent designs on so many things (like this bottle opener)! For this Bottle Opener I tried out a stencil and stamp from Stamp Anniething and the new blue Artesprix stamp pad. The main blue stenciled design combined with the metallic sheen from the stainless steel bottle opener reminded me of diamond deck plating like on Navy ships, perfect for a project just for my Navy husband for Father’s Day. Throw in the stamped rose designs (perfect for our last name) and some details with the Artesprix markers and the gift is made!

What are Artesprix Sublimation Arts & Crafts Supplies?

Sublimation is the process of fusing a design to a blank (or substrate) by using heat. You make a design using ink or markers (and now paint!) in the mirror image of what you want - then attach the poly-based blank and apply the appropriate level of heat for the correct amount of time to make sure the design fuses to the poly-based product! Perfect for anyone who has an iron or heat-press at home, you can even use a designated craft oven for many products. Artesprix offers loads of blanks, makes super pigmented ink and just launched a rainbow of colors in stamp pads and refill bottles as well as the brand new industry game changing sublimation acrylic paint!

Materials:
Artesprix Stamp Pads (Blue and Black)
Artesprix Metal Bottle Opener
Artesprix Markers
Protective Paper
Heat Tape
Rubber Gloves
Painter’s Tape
Mixed Media Paper
Pencil
Heat Press
Stamp Anniething Stencil & Stamp
Artesprix Acrylic Stamp Block
Paper Towel

Step-by-step Tutorial:

Step 1: To get a good idea of how much you should design on your mixed media paper; trace the object in pencil. I wanted designs on both sides so I made two templates.

Step 2: Next, using the stencil, inverted the stamp pad over the secured stencil. I did it a few times over each area to get an even distribution of the ink. I shifted the stencil over to finish filling the template, but forgot to line the stamp pad up! So a tiny portion of the design got some extra color.

Pro Tip: No need to wear gloves as all Iron-on-Ink is water based, I prefer to so the ink stays off my fingers. :) 

Step 3: After using the stencil I wanted to incorporate some of the rose stamp from Stamp Anniething with the black ink pad for three reasons. (1) To add interest to the design (2) To incorporate our last name (3) And to slightly disguise my stenciling hiccup. 

Step 4: Place the stamps around to add interest to the bottle opener . Remember watch for the “holes” and don’t put the good bits of your stamp design there! I noticed that the “hiccup” wasn’t quite covered enough and would not blend in enough so I used my Artesprix markers in blue, green and brown to make it more involved. And one side is done!

Step 5: For the side with a word on it, write the word the correct way on the back in pencil or pen, then flip the page over to your template side and use a light source (like a window or light pad) to trace the text with the Artesprix markers. This way your text will read the correct way when you sublimate. After the letters, I stamped in blue this time just lightly.

Step 6: After my design was done, I waited for my project to dry. When ready to transfer, turn on your heat source to 400℉. 

Step 7: Cut out the design with a little bit of extra space, and tape it with heat resistant tape to the blank. If you are worried about fingerprints or smudges on the bottle-opener, wipe with rubbing alcohol and let dry before taping to the template.

Step 8: Sandwich your template and blank between two pieces (or one big folded piece) of protective paper (this paper is so much better than butcher paper, it is what professional sublimators use!). It will protect your heat press, both the heating source and the pad, from getting a design on them - otherwise all your future projects on the machine could have evidence from this sublimation project as the ink reheats and turns to gas to solid over and over again!

Step 9: Once you have your secured transfer between the protective paper, press for the recommended amount of time. For this project, it’s 75 seconds at 400℉.

Step 10: Time for the "peek test"! Be careful this blank if HOT! Before undoing any of the tape, peek at your product to see if the color is vibrant enough and sublimated successfully. If it’s too dull, press for a bit longer. I love the reveal of sublimating on metal - the shine comes through the design and the design just will not come off.

Step 11: If you have heat resistant gloves you can reveal you unique design, you also have the option to allow to cool before handling. This blank of the month is just so pretty and shiny, right!?

Step 12: It is very important to allow the blank to cool before repeating the steps above to personalize the other side. 

Thank you for your time and I hope you’ve got some ideas on how to personalize a metal bottle opener, and some tricks for how to add interest to a project with layers of design. For a limited time only, there is currently a deal on the blank ink pads and their black ink refills with Artesprix. My next project will be with the paint - I’m so excited! If you’re new to sublimation ink, a wonderful way to get in on the action is to get the Artesprix Sublimation Starter Kit.

Check out other bottle opener projects for the May blank of the month over on Artesprix’s blog. Or check out my other projects (including some baking projects and life in Japan blogs) on rosemacarons.com. See you around the webs! I’d love to see what you create with sublimation iron-on-ink so be sure to use the #artesprix and post your projects so we don't miss them. 

Happy Creating! 

Chelsea Rose 

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