Watercolor Technique on an Artesprix Bag Tag

Hello All! 
Lori here, with a great bag tag project using Artesprix “Iron on Ink”.  I am an explorer of all things mixed media, designer, blogger and instructor who fell in love with rubber stamping about 20 years ago.  I love the versatility of rubber stamps and feature their use in mixed media art, card making, art journaling as well as other paper crafts. I love to try new techniques and mediums and am always keeping an eye out for something different. 
For this bag tag project, I wanted to create a soft dreamy watercolor effect in the background.. After some experimentation, I found that using a piece of acetate to apply and work the color prior to transferring the ink to paper was the key to making this technique work.  Step by steps are included below as well as a Quick Tips Video walking you through this process.

What are Artesprix Sublimation Markers?
Sublimation ink (Iron on Ink), is an interesting and fun product that allows you to create a design on standard copy paper that can then be heat transferred onto surfaces with polyester in them or with a polyester coating.  How fun is that?

Materials:
Artesprix Products:
Protective Project Mat
Sublimation Ink Pad - Black
Sublimation Stamp Ink Refill
Bag Tags - Maple, Metal
Protective Paper
Heat Tape
Stamps - Hand Letter Basics
Sublimation Markers - Black, Original, Pastel, Gnomie
Heat Source 
Other Products:
Grafix - Acetate
Copy Paper 
Oprol - Heat Plate
Tonic Studios - Tim Holtz, Stamp Platform
Lori’s Cards and Creations - Background Script, Sketchy Flower, Charka, Tall Snowman, Snowflakes
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
Step 1: Use the dimensions on the back of the packaging to plan out your design. I noted all the Artesprix Bag Tags are 2.7" x 3.8". 
Step 2: Apply ink from markers directly to acetate sheet. Make sure your markers are placed tip down up to 30 minutes before use to ensure this step is successful. 

Step 3: Spritz ink with water and then lay piece of computer paper over wet Iron-on-Ink.

Step 4: Repeat Step 2 & 3 with other Sublimation Marker color combinations. 

Step 5: Allow copy paper to dry. 

Step 6: With Sublimation Ink pad and a *small print script stamp, stamp script to create textured background. 

Pro Tip: Traditional Stamps are mirrored so they stamp the correct way for reading. By using Traditional Stamps with small font the transfer will be backwards on the final product but most like unnoticeable. ;) 

Step 7: Add a second stamped layer by stamping a Sketchy Flower image onto paper element. Continue to add color to stamped image with Sublimation Markers.

Step 8: Use Artesprix Sublimation Stamps (Non-mirrored stamps designed for transfers) as hese stamps are designed to display words correctly upon transfer.

Step 9: Once you're finished being creative it is time to transfer! Place Artesprix Bag tag over stamped design and adhere with heat tape. All Artesprix Bag Tags are double sided so it does not matter which side you transfer to first. 

Step 10: Once your bag tag is secure we need to create our "Sublimation Sandwich". Place secured tag on a piece of Siliconized Protective Paper, bigger than your design, with an additional layer of Protective Paper on top. 

Step 11: Set your heat source to 400℉,  and set for 60 seconds. My heat source can only reach 375℉ or so, in my case you will just add approximately 20-30 seconds to your transfer time. 

Step 12: Peek Test Time! Before removing any heat tape, slightly lift up one corner of the design and ensure you got a good transfer. Your transfer should be vivid and clear, if not, check your time, temperature, pressure and how you built your "Sublimation Sanwich" and retry. 

Step 13: After my successful "Peek Test" and my bag tag has cooled, I pulled back the paper to reveal my design transfer.

Here is another project I did using the same techniques with the Maple, natural-looking bag tag.

I hope you enjoyed this project and will give Artesprix Sublimation products a try.  Project options are endless while allowing for hours of creative fun! Don’t forget to visit the Artesprix Facebook Group where Makers are always sharing inspirational projects.
Happy Day!
Lori 

Artesprix Guest Designer 

**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.**