Spooky Decorative Metal Panel with Iron-on-Ink Stamp Pads
Artesprix Design TeamDecorative Panel, Gel Press, Markers, Stamp Pads
Hello friends! Sara on the blog today with a fun project that will compliment your Halloween decor. Artesprix Iron-on-Ink makes it easy to customize a Decorative Metal Panel using their Sublimation Stamp Pads and a Gel Press Plate. I will be adding some spookiness and show you how to use your Gel Press Plate to get a perfectly mirrored text in your design. When we are done we will have a finished piece that can be used as Halloween decor year after year.
What is Sublimation Iron-on-Ink?
Artesprix’s products are made with sublimation ink or as Artesprix calls it, "Iron-on-Ink". Iron-on-Ink is a specially formulated ink to be infused into polyester-coated substrates, or polyester fabrics, when it is subjected to heat and pressure. Any design we create with Artesprix’s ink can be transferred onto any sublimation blank once heat is applied. The ink turns to a gas, and you will end up with a permanent design that is embedded into the substrate, it will not need any sealing and will not fade over time.
Materials:
Pencil
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Start by placing your metal panel on a mixed media paper and trace it with a pencil. Since this blank is on the big side, 6”x6”, creating a template helps to know how big of a space we will need to use on our Gel Press.
Step 2: Let’s create our design! Get your Gel Press Plate and Sublimation Stamp Pads ready. For this Halloween design, I am going to use my orange and purple sublimation stamp pads.
Optional: I used my Cricut to cut two spider webs out of cardstock. If you don’t have a cutting machine, you could cut them using a pair of scissors, or draw them in with Artesprix Sublimation Markers, or use a stamp! I have included a stamp that would achieve a similar look in the Materials List.
Step 3: I want to use my sublimation stamp pads to create a light background for my design. Drag the stamp pad along the Gel Press’s surface. Do not put too much pressure on your stamp pad, just enough to glide the pad across the surface.
Optional: If the colors compliment each other, you could use the brayer to blend them, but for this design, I did not blend the orange and purple.
Step 4: Now that our gel press is now inked and ready, place your cardstock spider webs on the Gel Press followed by mixed media paper to pick up the design. The spider web will leave a negative space on my design which is exactly what I wanted. I carefully removed the two cardstock spider webs, and I placed the same paper face down to pick up the reverse design that was left on the gel press.
If you use sublimation stamp pads or markers to create your web design, you will need to ink the Gel Press as explained above and place mixed media on it to pick up your design, wait for it to dry, then add your spider webs.
Step 5: Once our background is complete and dry, it is time to add text. I cleaned up my gel press and I got my alphabet stencil out. Using my black sublimation marker, I used my stencil to write “spooky vibes” on the face of my Gel Press. You will not need to mirror the text! Once I finished, I gave it a few minutes to dry then, I placed my background design mixed media paper face-down on my Gel Press again to pick up the wording. When you pull up the paper, you will find that you have your wording perfectly mirrored.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for a cleaner look, you can flip your stencil over and create mirrored text directly on your dry background design.
Step 6: To sharpen my text, I went over the wording with my black sublimation marker. Also, I added some eyes for the letter 'O' in the word "spooky"! To add even more detail, I stamped with the yardstick web cutouts with my purple stamp and placed them directly on some areas in my design. I used my brayer to go over them and they left a nice spider web imprint behind.
Step 7: Turn on our heat press while we get the blank ready for pressing. You’ll need to set your press to 400°F for 90 seconds.
Step 8: Before securing the design, I like to re-trace my blank to make sure my design is centered on the blank. Then I placed my metal panel face down on the design and secured it with heat resistant tape.
Step 9: Let’s make a "sublimation sandwich"! Use your protective paper to sandwich in your metal panel with the design secured to it. Using protective paper is essential because it will protect your work surfaces.
Step 10: It is time to press your design! Your heat press should be set to 400°F and you will need to press it for 90 seconds.
Step 11: Let’s do our "peek test"! After you press your design, do not remove the tape and take a peek at the vibrancy of your transfer. In the slightest chance you didn’t get a good transfer, simply re-press your design.
Step 12: Let’s reveal our design! I love how our project turned out! To assemble the panel, after it has cooled, remove the backing off the adhesive and make sure it is level with the panel. Fix the stand to the back and bend the stand. Now, your decorative panel is ready for display!
Use this Decorative Panel in your spooky corner as you decorate for Halloween! Or by your Candy bowl if you won't be home for Trick-or-Treaters. If you have a Gel Press, you will need to try this! Working with a Gel Press made this project extra fun.
Make sure you grab some sublimation stamp pads to try this technique for your next project! When you use Artesprix sublimation craft supplies in your next project, please don’t forget to share your creations with us on Instagram using the #Artesprix and #IrononInk or in the
Thank you for reading! I hope you’re inspired to get creative today! If you would like to see more of my projects, check out my instagram!
Keep on crafting! Best,
Sara Ali
**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.**
