Starry Iron-on-Ink Satin Necktie

Hello! Today’s Artesprix project on the blog: Starry Iron-on-Ink Satin Necktie. I’m Chelsea Rose, I’m a momma of two (and a dog), a military spouse and ex-art teacher turned baker. For this project using a homemade gel printing plate and a stencil, I was inspired by the recent images that have come out from NASA’s newest telescope the James Webb Telescope. I will be using Artesprix's featured Blank of the Month, the Satin Necktie, which is only available for the month of September, so do not wait to get yours! Wait until you see how using a dual color gel plate printing technique with stencils allows you to create cool techniques!

What is Artesprix Iron-on-Ink?
Sublimation Ink or Iron-on-Ink is a medium that once applied with heat and pressure to a polyester fabric or coated product will fuse completely and become one with the object. There is no peeling or rubbing off once transferred. And it won’t wash away either! It’s science-y magic!

Materials:
Artesprix Necktie - Blank of the Month
Artesprix Stamp Ink Refills
Artesprix Acrylic Paint Set
Mixed Media Paper or Copy Paper
Gel Print Plate (Learn to make one here or get one here)
Stencil (try one from StampAnnieThing or this Variegated Star one)
Buff Brush or Makeup Sponge
Protective Paper
Heat Resistant Tape
Lint Roller
Pencil
Paint Brush
Paint Palette
Heat Source: Home Iron or Heat Press
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Gather supplies and dream of the color scheme you want to create with. I wanted to do stars and it took awhile to pull prints that I loved for this project with the stencil. As for a template, I knew I needed a lot of prints if I was going to cover the entire Necktie. I ended up creating ~ 10 plus prints. 

Step 2: Have a stack of papers ready, as well as a smoother or brayer to help transfer your design onto your paper from the gel printing plate.

Step 3: Make a background color on the gel printing plate with Artesprix acrylic sublimation paint (blue and black), the lightener (white), and the stamp pad refill bottle in (blue). Then, lay down a stencil. Wipe away (or try to pull a print) the inside exposed parts of the stencil. When that’s mostly cleaned off, add your second color to the insides and top of your stencil. Pull a print of the top colors. Then take off the stencil carefully. Pull another print with both the background colors and the top colors at once!

Step 4: Some of my prints had thick ink, so I allowed them to dry overnight. Remember, to lint roll your necktie fabric before starting the transfer process. 

Step 5: Set up how you want to get your necktie to look with the designs from your printmaking session. This is an unconventional taping method to avoid press lines and make the best use of my prints. Some heat tape was used to tape the design to the protective paper and some to tape the necktie to the paper.

Step 6: Ensure your secured design is "Sandwiched" between pieces of Artesprix protective paper. The siliconized paper is meant to protect your machine from the sublimation ink as well as other work surfaces. 

Step 7: This project presses at 400°F for 60 seconds with only medium pressure. If you prefer printable directions go to Artesprix’s directions page.

Step 8: After your transfer time has elapsed it’s time for the "peek test"! Be careful as it is hot! Try to peek without removing the tape, that way if the project needs more time, your design is still lined up which will prevent ghosting!
Step 9: While the blank is still hot, remove the design and quickly go over the design with a lint roller to help remove any press marks that may have occurred.
Step 10: If you are going to cover the whole front of the tie, like I did, repeat Steps 5-9. It took me four presses to get the job done. You could loop your tie and press two parts at once but I wanted to make sure I liked the transition and to limit potential unwanted white space or press lines. 

This Starry Iron-on-Ink Necktie reminds me of tie-dye but I also love the distressed ombre look. Next time my husband needs a tie, I’m gonna suggest this one, but in the meantime while he is away I think I need to get a button down to match. 
Some other ways to use a gel printing plate with your Iron-on-Ink supplies are here and here. For more inspiration join the Facebook group!
If you want to see what I’m up to as a Navy spouse in Japan - come follow along over on instagram (I put lots of fun foods that we try in my stories). Thanks for reading and hope you get inspired to create! Stars always inspire me!
Until next time, 
Chelsea Rose 
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