Showing Support with Sublimation Bag Tags with Artesprix

Hi Everyone! My name is Sarah Goulet from A Paper Moment, and I'm so excited to be an Artesprix Guest Designer for July! Today I am sharing with you an easy and impactful project using the Artesprix Bag Tags and Sublimation Markers. For a bit of a backstory, a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. She had her port taken out this year and no longer needs treatment. I dedicate this blog post and project to her and all those who fight or have fought cancer.

 

**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 uses specially formulated products that transfer a design you create onto a polyester or polyester coated substrate (the blank) through sublimation. Sublimation is a chemical process in which the combination of heat and pressure allows the solid form of the design to turn into a gas and permanently integrate into your project so it won’t peel or fade. What’s great is that along with the Atresprix products such as Sublimation Markers, Paints, and Inks, you can utilize easily attainable supplies you may already have such as copy paper, stamps, stencils, and a home iron.

Supplies

Bag Tag 2ct

Sublimation Stamp Pad (Black)

Sublimation Markers - Basic Fine 10ct

Sublimation Markers - Basic Chisel 10ct 

Sublimation Markers - Bold Chisel 10ct

Sublimation Markers - Pastel Chisel 10ct

Heat Tape 

Protective Paper Roll

Protective Project Mat 

Unity Stamp Co. Elegance of Hope

Unity Stamp Co./Edgy Stamps Pink is the New Black

Stamp Positioner or Acrylic Block

Copy Paper

Scissors

Pencil

Grip Mat, Gel Press, or Mirror Stamp Plate

Heat Source such as Heat Press or Home Iron

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Trace the Bag Tag onto copy paper using pencil. Trace the hole of the tag as well to ensure you can see where your design will not transfer.

Step 2: Place the copy paper with template into a stamp positioner securing in place with magnets, then line up the stamp within the template as desired. Close the stamp positioner to pick up the stamp. Alternatively, use an acrylic block.

Pro Tip: Use a piece of clear acetate over the copy paper template and stamp with Artesprix Black Sublimation Stamp Ink on top to see if your stamp image is aligned. If you need to reposition the stamp, you can easily wipe the ink from the acetate, move your stamp, re-ink, and stamp again. This is great if you are short on copy paper. Alternatively, if you need to reposition your template, you can do so without erasing pencil marks as they will not transfer.

Step 4: Once you are satisfied with the position of your stamp, ink up the stamp with Artesprix Black Sublimation Stamp Pad and press the image onto the copy paper. It’s ok if the image goes outside the lines or gets cut off by the hole in the tag.

Step 5: Color your image using Artesprix Sublimation markers. I used a combination of markers.

For the leaves, I used the Fine Tip in Green.

For the flowers, I used the Fine Tip Yellow, Chisel Tip Bold Marigold, Chisel Tip Yellow in order to create some shadows and depth. The centers were Chisel Tip Brown with some Fine Point Black for dots.

To represent the Breast Cancer Awareness color, I used Chisel Tip Pastel Blush and Chisel Tip Pink for the ribbon image.

The background I colored in using Chisel Tip Pastel Fog and Sky for the edges.

Pro Tip #2: Color outside the template lines! This will ensure that a complete design will be transferred onto your Bag Tag without unwanted white space.

Step 6: Trim down your copy paper to an appropriate size leaving enough room to secure the blank with heat tape. Then secure the Bag Tag to the design. Artesprix Bag Tags are double-sided so it does not matter which side you transfer to first. 

Pro Tip #3: Line up the Bag Tag with the pencil outline. The outline of the loop hole makes it easier to align the transfer and blank. Secure one side with heat tape then use it as a hinge to see if the image and blank are centered. This can be helpful if you have difficulty seeing the pencil lines. When properly aligned, secure all sides with heat tape.

Step 7: It’s time to create a “sublimation sandwich.” Place the secured project in between two pieces of Protective Paper. This will prevent transfer of any marker dye to your heat source or Protective Project Mat. The blank is closest to the Project Mat and the colored design is closest to the heat source. Your sandwich recipe from bottom to top is: Protective Paper, Bag Tag, colored design (secured and facing the blank), Protective Paper.

Step 8: Let’s create some sublimation science! Using your heat source, press according to transfer specifications. There are 3 different Bag Tags. For this project, I used the Plastic Bag Tag. This calls for 60 seconds at 400 ℉ using a heat press. I used a home iron. For this method, make sure the steam is turned off and the iron set to the highest temperature. Press down on your “sandwich,” holding the iron still for 3 minutes. Note: the steam holes in your iron do not produce heat so your transfer may look a bit different in those areas.

Pro Tip #4: Do not move your iron around. Holding the iron still and adding firm pressure will minimize the chances of “ghosting.”

Step 9: Time for a “peek test.” Trying not to remove any tape out of place, peel back the copy paper to see if the image has transferred. Remember the blank will be hot! The colors will be vibrant with successful transfer. If it isn’t, simply replace the tape and press again in your “sandwich.”

Step 10: Once your design has successfully transferred, remove the copy paper design from the Bag Tag. Allow the Bag Tag to cool.

Step 11: While the blank is cooling, let’s do some mirror stamping to personalize the other side of the Bag Tag. Take your acrylic block and attach a sentiment stamp. I used the sentiment “I’m a survivor.” Ink up the stamp with the Black Sublimation Ink Pad. Stamp the sentiment onto the Artesprix Mirror Stamp Plate. Text needs to be in mirror orientation in order to transfer correctly to be legible. Take a piece of blank copy paper and rub it over the stamped sentiment.

Step 12: The transfer will be lighter. To make the lettering bolder, go over the sentiment with the Fine Tip Sublimation Marker in Black.

Step 13: Attach the second finished design with the sentiment to blank side of the Bag Tag and secure it with heat tape.

Step 14: Repeat Steps 6-10 to transfer the sentiment onto the other side of the Bag Tag.

Step 15: Once your Bag Tag has cooled, attach the plastic loop or use your own ribbon for added personalization! 

This project was so fun to make! I plan on giving it to my friend in honor of her fight against breast cancer. I also made an additional tag with a different sentiment. What’s great is you can change the color of the ribbon using the Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Sublimation Markers to honor different types of cancer. For instance, July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month which is represented by a yellow ribbon. 

I hope you were inspired by my project to try something new with your stamps and Sublimation Markers! For a full walkthrough, you can check out my process video. Don’t forget to shop here for all your sublimation crafting needs. Join the Artesprix Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Group for more great ideas! You can also check out my Instagram for additional fun projects.

Have a wonderful day!

Sarah Goulet (A Paper Moment)

**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.**