Sublimation Squeegee Bookmarks with Artesprix Paint
Artesprix Design TeamBookmark, Paints
Hello friends! Design Team Member Sara here. I love all crafting mediums, but Artesprix sublimation paint has been one of my ultimate favorites ever since it came out! Today, we’re customizing Bookmarks with a fun painting technique; squeegee painting! We will use our sublimation paint and a window squeegee to create a fun sublimation design. These Bookmarks are a great beginner blank if you have never tried Iron-on-Ink before!
**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 Sublimation Iron-on-Ink?
Iron-on ink is a special ink that gets printed onto poly-coated substrates once it is subjected to heat. Iron-on-Inks are always muted on paper, and they become vibrant after they’re heat pressed onto the sublimation blank. Since Artesprix sublimation paint is uniquely formulated with Iron-on-Ink, any designs we paint become sublimation designs that can be transferred onto any sublimation blank with no printer needed!
Supplies:
Window Squeegee (with rubber)
Paper Towel
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Secure a piece of mixed media paper to your work surface with masking tape. Repeat the process to ensure you have at least an inch wide mask around your paper if needed.
Step 2: Keep paper towel handy for easy squeegee cleaning in-between colors. Squeeze a few drops of blue paint outside the mixed media paper on the edge, on top of the tape.
Step 3: Using the squeegee, drag the blue paint across the paper in any direction.
Step 4: Wipe the squeegee clean with paper towel and Artesprix Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Repeat Steps 2-4 with additional colors.
Pro Tip: I used red sublimation paint opposite to the blue swipe, and I overlapped red and blue to create a purple shade. You can see I added a swipe of White Artesprix Acrylic Lightning Medium Paint. You will see after the transfer, the color underneath overpowered the white. Use the White Artesprix Acrylic Lightning Medium to create lighter colors before applying them to the paper.
Step 5: Once you like what you have on your paper, put down your squeegee and peel off your masking tape.
Step 6: Allow paint to dry.
Step 7: Place your bookmarks face down on your design and use heat resistant tape to secure them properly. For these bookmarks, I used the entirety of my paper to select the sublimation designs that I like for each bookmark!
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to preheat your heat source while we prepare for pressing. For these bookmarks, you’ll need to set your heat press to 400°F for 45 seconds.
Step 8: Use your protective paper to "sandwich" your bookmarks with the design secured. Since we have a full page of squeegee sublimation design, using protective paper is crucial because it will catch all extra ink!
Step 9: It is time to press your design! Your heat source should be set to 400°F and you’ll need to press it for 45 seconds. I am using a heat press which allows me to press all 4 bookmarks at once.
Step 10: It is "peek test" time! After you press your design, do not remove the tape, and slightly lift one corner of your design to get a peek of how good the design transferred. If you find that you got a vibrant transfer, then remove the tape and reveal your amazing design! If you feel that you didn’t get a good transfer, you re-press your design!
Step 11: After Step 10 is complete, reveal your design! These came out amazing!! They’re so vibrant, and I love the bookmarks that have a little bit of negative space between the colors! If you want to see this project in action, check out Artesprix's TikTok channel!
You can further customize these by using Artesprix heat resistant transfer mask to add in a design, a name, or a favorite quote! If you’re creating some Valentine’s Day gifts, follow this technique with pink, red and white and watch how they turn
Make sure you grab some bookmarks for your next project – they would make a cute gift!! When you use Artesprix sublimation craft supplies in your next project, please don’t forget to share your creations with us on instagram or Facebook!
Thank you for reading! I hope this inspired you to get started with sublimation! I am on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, let’s keep in touch!
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.**
