Iron-on-Ink Lovely Llama T-Shirt

Hi guys! I'm Design Team Member Debbie from Debbie J’s Crafting Corner. You’ve probably seen People make T-shirts using iron on decals. Well, today I'm going to be using Iron-on-Ink from Artesprix to decorate my T-shirt. Artesprix T-Shirts are unisex, made of 100% soft, cotton-like polyester, making them perfect for lifelong transfers. You can wash these T-Shirts over and over and design will never fade, crack, or peel. I’ve been playing Fortnite with some of my friends lately, and there is a cute Llama in the game… so let’s make a llama T-Shirt! 

**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 Artesprix Iron-on-Ink?
Artesprix Iron-on-Ink is specialty sublimation ink in craft form. Traditionally sublimation ink is found in a fancy (expensive) printer. However, Artesprix hit the crafting scene in 2018 giving Makers, like me, the ability to experience sublimation without high-end equipment. Sublimation is when ink transforms to a gas and then binds to a compatible blank once combined with heat and pressure. The big deal? Once the design is infused to the polyester coated blank or polyester fabric, it is lifetime permanent!

Supplies:
T Shirt – Adult
Floating Llama Face wearing Flower Crown
Brother ScanNcut 
Brother ScanNcut craft pen holder
T-Shirt Ruler 
Original Sublimation Markers 10ct
Heat Tape
Protective Paper Roll
Reverse Tweezers
Heat Press of Handheld Craft Press 
Plain Paper or Card Stock

Step 1: I’ll be using my ScanNCut and an SVG from Creative Fabrica to create my design. This is my first T-Shirt design so I am keeping it simple.  Use the T-Shirt Ruler from Jennifer Maker’s website to ensure correct placement on the shirt. 

Step 2: I uploaded the previously downloaded Llama Face SVG file into Brother Canvas Workspace on my computer, resized it and sent it to my ScanNCut based on Step 1. 

Step 3: Use a pink sublimation marker in a Brother craft pen holder to DRAW the outline onto some cardstock (see my YouTube video for more detail on using the ScanNCut.).

Pro Tip: Check to make sure it fits where where desired on the shirt. I recommend double and even triple checking your design. It would be so disappointing to get all of the coloring done only to find that it doesn’t fit quite right. 

Step 4: Once the outline is drawn colored the design with sublimation markers.

Pro Tip #2: Trim some of the excess cardstock off to make it easier to position.

Step 5: Before beginning the transfer, fold the T-Shirt in half vertically first and do a quick press. This method and  the T-Shirt Ruler to help line up the finished transfer. 

Step 6: Secure the transfer with the colored side touching the shirt with Heat Tape. You must use Heat Tape, and NOT Scotch Tape or washi tape.  The other tapes cannot withstand the heat and will create a sticky mess! 

Step 7: Next we create the "Sublimation Sandwich". I cut 3 large pieces of protective paper. The first will go under the shirt to keep the backside white, the second will go inside the shirt to catch any ink that might bleed through to the other side, and the third will go on top of my secured design to protect my heat source.

Step 8: Now it’s time to transfer! I set the temperature and time to 370℉ for 35 seconds and let it heat up. Then I placed my "sublimation sandwich" in my press and transferred the design. 

Pro Tip #3: Time and temperature vary with different materials. Check the The Artesprix website for specific transfer specifications for each blank.

Step 9: "Peek Test" time, this can be a project saver! Before removing any tape, peel back a small part of your design to ensure the transfer was successful. 

Step 10: Once you confirmed your transfer was successful, remove your design for the big reveal! 

I just love how the Llama T-Shirt turned out! Maybe I’ll do more complex designs for my next T-Shirt project using my ScanNCut. I think some experimentation is definitely in order!

I really appreciate you stopping by the Artesprix Blog today and would love to see what you create using your craft supplies and Artesprix Iron-on-Ink! If you do not have any in your Maker's toolbox yet, head on over to the Artesprix Shop. They have a Sublimation Starter Kit that I highly recommend. Share your Artesprix projects with us by using #Artesprix and #IrononInk or post it to the Artesprix Facebook Group. 

Because, if I can make it, You Can too! Big Hugs!

Debbie Jenkins 

**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.**