Gina K Designs Iron-on-Ink Zip Case

Hello! My name is Alison Heikkila. Thanks so much for visiting. Today, I have a fun sublimation project using Artesprix’s Zip Case. The case is 7” x 5” so there’s plenty of surface area to work on, and lots of room for storing things. I decided to turn mine into a makeup bag using some fun stamps from Gina K Designs. This makes a perfect gift on it's own, or fill it with goodies, or make one for yourself! 

What are Sublimation Markers?
Artesprix Sublimation Markers and Ink are specially formulated inks that allow you to use basic copy paper to: color, stamp, and stencil 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 even use a heat press or a home iron! These designs, through this process of sublimation, will become permanent on your substrates. 
Materials:
Sublimation Stamp Pad-Black
Original Sublimation Markers (Red, Pink, and Brown)
Pastel Sublimation Markers (Sky and Ballerina)
Gnomie Botanical Sublimation Markers (Poppy, Almond, and Mustard)
Protective Paper
Heat Tape
Heat Source: Home Iron or Artesprix Heat Press
Gina K Designs: Timeless Beauty stamp set (retired)
Stamping Postioner/Platform or Acrylic Block
Pencil
Copy Paper
Ink Dauber
Craft Mat
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Trace the outline of your blank on to a piece of copy paper with a pencil. The pencil will not transfer during the sublimation process.

Step 2: Stamp your images on to copy paper using the Sublimation Stamp Pad and a "stamp positioner" or an acrylic block. I stamped the woman, the lipstick, hearts, and the perfume bottle.

Step 3: Color in the stamped designs using direct to paper coloring and by scribbling marker ink on to your craft mat and watercoloring it for a softer look. For the lips, I colored the stamp directly with the markers, and “huffed” on the stamp before stamping it. “Huffing” remoistens the ink on the stamp because of the moisture in your breath. You need to work sort of quickly with his process, but it comes out fantastic! I did the lips in Poppy, Red, Pink, and Ballerina.

Note: You may notice in the photo above that the woman has been cut out from the original sheet I was working on. I applied lipstick to her face when her skin color was still wet, so she looked a bit like the Joker. I decided that I could make everything work without having to start over, so I restamped her, colored her, and realigned her with where she was supposed to be. 

Step 4: Using Heat Resistant Tape, secure your colored image to the Zip Case. This bag can be sublimated on both sides, so you can attach your colored image to either. Plus, you can do an additional design on the other side! Line up your design by using your pencil lines as a guide. If you are using a Heat Press, you do not need as much tape, but if you are using a home iron, be sure to use Heat Tape around the entire blank to ensure that it doesn’t move during the sublimation process.

Step 5: It’s time to make our "Sublimation Sandwich". This is an extremely important part of the process whether you are using a home iron or a Heat Press. Cut two pieces of Protective Paper that are bigger than your Blank. Lay one piece down, then your taped Blank and colored image- with the blank on the bottom- and then your second piece of Protective Paper. Your sandwich will be: Protective Paper-Blank-Colored Image-Protective Paper. You can see in the photo above that I had taped in the second version of the woman.

Step 6: I pressed my Zip Case at 400℉ for 45 seconds. If you’re using a home iron, place your Sublimation Sandwich on top of Artesprix’s Heat Mat and press for 3 minutes per section. If you are using a home iron, you’ll want to have it on the highest dry setting, and press for 5 minutes over each section. Be sure to not move the iron at all while you are pressing. Let cool.

Step 7: It’s time for the peek test! This is a very important (and exciting!) step. Very carefully peel back part of the copy paper to see how your image has transferred. Be sure to not remove too much, in case you need to press the item again. Check out how fantastic the lips look!

Step 8: If your transfer was successful, remove your design to reveal your permanent and lifetime project! Here is what the finished Zip Case looks like. I totally love it! Using different coloring techniques on it really makes for a unique project. 

Check out the Zip Case in action! You can see that it easily holds my makeup, and would also work really well for storing some of my Artesprix sublimation supplies! How would you like to get more ideas on how to use Sublimation Markers? 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 
**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.**