Sublimation is such a fun and quick way to get great designs onto shirts, tumblers, pens, and other items. But what if you don’t have a sublimation printer? You can still experience the “magic” of sublimation without a printer thanks to Artesprix and their Iron-On-Ink products.
What is Iron-On-Ink
Artesprix Sublimation Markers, Ink, and Paint are specially formulated to allow you to use basic copy paper (something we all have) to color, stamp, stencil, and monoprint anything you wish and turn it into a heat-transferable design. Anyone (EVEN ME) can make amazing designs, regardless of your artistic skill level. Then you use heat (from either a home iron or a heat press) and pressure to apply the designs to a polyester or polyester coated blank. The process makes your designs permanent because it is actually a part of the blank itself.
Artesprix Canvas Zip Bag Project
Let’s create a fun canvas zip bag using Artesprix markers and my Cricut Joy Xtra. The cool thing is that the Artesprix markers fit perfectly into the Cricut Joy Xtra. This was definitely an exciting perk for me. If you don’t have a Joy Xtra, don’t worry. You can still complete this project. I’ll give you some pointers at the end of this post to help you if you’re using a different machine.
The canvas bag I used is from Artesprix. The bags are white polyester canvas. They come 3 to a pack and measure 7″ x 5″.
Materials and Supplies
- Iron-On-Ink Canvas Zip Case
- Iron-On-Ink Fine Tip Markers
- EJFC Peace Love Chocolate Design
- Heat Press (Here’s the one I use)
- Protective Paper
- Heat Tape
- Copy Paper
- Cricut Joy Xtra with Light Grip Mat
- Lint Roller
- Pressing Pillow
The Process
Step 1: Download the Peace, Love, Chocolate design file and upload it into Cricut Design Space.
Step 2: On your Design Space canvas, insert a rectangle and size it to 7″ wide x 5″ high
Step 3: Add the Peace, Love Chocolate design on top of the rectangle and size it to fit within that space
Pro Tip: To make sure you have enough space and that you avoid side seams, make the design slightly smaller than the Zip Case.
Step 4: Change the design settings from “Print then Cut” to “Draw > Pen”
Step 5: Delete or hide the rectangle and select “Make It”
Step 6: Be sure to MIRROR the design
Step 7: Add an Artesprix black fine tip marker to the Joy and place a sheet of plain copy paper on the light grip cutting mat
Pro Tip: If you do not have a Cricut Joy Xtra, you can use the PNG format of the design file. Open it in your software and size appropriately. Print it on your home printer and then trace it on the back (mirrored) using a black Artesprix marker.
Step 8: Color in your design using Artesprix Fine Tip markers
Step 9: Use a lint roller to clean the canvas zip case
Step 10: Place the design face down onto the zip case and secure it using heat tape.
Pro Tip: Using a pressing pillow or a rolled up towel inside of the zip case will help prevent harsh lines from the paper and will raise the contact surface to help avoid seams.
Step 11: Make a sublimation sandwich using protective paper over your design. From the BOTTOM to the top, the order should be: heat press, zip case, design, protective paper.
Pro Tip: Since we are using the pressing pillow inside of the zip case and since the canvas is thick enough, we’ll only need a sheet of protective paper on top of the design.
Step 12: Press your canvas zip case at 400 degrees for 45 seconds.
Step 13: Before removing the zip case from the heat press, do a “peek test” by lifting a corner of the design to make sure the design is transferred correctly.
If the design is transferred well, you are done and you can remove the tape and paper. If it is not, replace the sheet of protective paper and press it for a few more seconds.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE “PEACE, LOVE, CHOCOLATE” SVG
I have to tell you: I am a total and complete fan of Artesprix Iron-On-Ink and Craft Sublimation. For me, it’s a great way to get the designs in your head and on your heart onto a permanent design surface even if you aren’t quite ready of a sublimation printer.
Now, go make something DELICIOUS! And for more fun projects and tutorials, be sure to follow me here and on my social media accounts. I am EJsFunCrafting everywhere.
