Gnome for the Holidays Artesprix Ornament
Artesprix Design TeamMarkers, Ornament
Hi everyone! It’s Design Team Member Mandie, back again with another fun idea for your next Iron-on-Ink project! The holidays are quickly approaching and what better gift is there to give than a handmade ornament, straight from the heart? Hopefully this quick and easy ornament will inspire you to create some fun, personal pieces to gift (or keep for yourself!) this holiday season. These ornaments come in a set of 2 from the Artesprix Shop and are double-sided, giving you lots of options to get creative!
What is Sublimation Iron-on-Ink?
Iron-on-Ink is an innovative craft sublimation medium to create unique designs that you can transfer to a endless selection of blanks. You can create some amazing one-of-a-kind gifts that will last a lifetime. When the finished sublimation design is combined with heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas and binds to the polyester fabric or poly-coated blank leaving you with a permanent transfer. Between Artesprix's plethora of Iron-on-Ink products and the endless amount of compatible sublimation blanks, the possibilities are endless! Iron-on-Inks is fabulous because you don’t have to invest in an expensive sublimation printer to create some high quality projects right in your home! Plus, if you’re more “hands on” or “hands inky” like me, I feel you can get so much more creative with the Sublimation Inks, Paints and Markers that Artesprix offers!
Supplies:
Gnome Stamp
Stamp Block
Ink Daubers
Teflon Sheet
Paint Brushes
Heat Source: Heat Press or Craft Press
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Start by tracing your ornament blank onto a sheet of plain copy paper. Use a pencil because the pencil won’t transfer during the sublimation process.
Step 2: Grab a Black Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Stamp Pad and ink your stamp.
Step 3: Take your Artesprix Markers and color in your stamped design. I decided to color a few in different colors. You can also use your daubers and inks to create lighter colors. I made a mask from an uncolored design to give a little color to one of my gnomes noses and also did a light background on that same design.
Pro Tip: Be sure to color a outside of the ornament template line so that it is guaranteed the entire blank will be covered when you transfer.
Step 4: We are ready to transfer! You’re going to want to adjust your heat source to the recommended settings. For this blank it’s recommended 400℉ for 75 seconds.
Step 5: Use your Heat Tape and secure the blank to the design, white side to the design.
Step 6: Create your "sublimation sandwich" cutting 2 pieces of siliconized Protective Paper bigger than your design and layering your secured blank in between. Be sure the blank is positioned with the paper side on top so the heat only has to go through the paper.
Step 7: Move your "sandwich" to the pressing surface and transfer for 75 seconds.
Step 8: Once you’ve pressed your blank you can now do a "peek test". Simply lift up the corner and see if your design has transferred. You’ll want to keep the tape in place in case you need to re-press.
Step 9: My "peek test" was successful, the colors looked great, so I revealed my finished project and WOW! Look at the difference between the before and after it has been pressed. Everything is now much more vibrant, that is a part of the sublimation science/magic! 
Step 10: Once cooled, add the ribbon included in the packaging or add your own! I decided to personalize the other ornament that comes in the set. If you choose to personalize both sides of one ornament, add your ribbon after you transfer to the other side so it doesn't melt during the transfer process.
I have several ideas for this, besides hanging on the Christmas tree. You could tie it to a bottle of wine as a hostess gift or use it for a gift tag on a present, design on one side and "To & From" on the other. You could also have kids or grandkids create their own design and add the year to the back for memories from year to year! So many possibilities!
I love how easy it is to make beautiful gifts so quickly with Artesprix Iron-on-Ink! You can grab this Ornament Blank in the Artesprix Shop. There are so many ideas you could use to personalize blank this holiday season, to make special gifts for your loved ones or yourself. You can check out the Artesprix Iron-On Inspiration Group on Facebook for more ideas.
Looking forward to sharing my next project with you!
Mandie Wade
**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.**
