Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix Thermal Transfer Markers

Free Download, Tutorial, and Giveaway!

Artesprix gave me a free sample of their Thermal Transfer Markers, a coaster blank, and some other supplies to try out and review. Using these supplies and my Filet Crochet Butterfly chart, I made this fantastic butterfly coaster!

Butterfly Coaster with Artesprix markers on Stitches n Scraps

Keep reading for more details and a full video tutorial. Plus, enter the giveaway below for a chance to win at set of markers!

Anyone can do it!

At first glance, I didn’t think sublimation markers were something I would ever use. I don’t draw well, and I don’t have a heat press.

Just for kicks, I read the instructions on the back, and realized this was something I could actually do after all! You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a regular iron.

How does it work?

It’s a lot like drawing your own iron-on image. Create a design with the markers on plain paper, then use heat and pressure to transfer it onto the finished product!

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What can you make?

The ink transfers to polyester products, such as totes and t-shirts. There are also a wide variety of products, like coasters and coffee mugs, that have polyester coatings specifically designed for this type of thermal transfer. These are called “sublimation blanks.” The coaster blank and other materials I was given for this project came from Condé Systems. They have tons of options to choose from!

Materials:

Here are all the supplies I used for this project:

Materials - Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

I had lots of newsprint lying around at home, so I used some of that to protect my work surface while drawing. The silicone sheets would have worked just as well, but the newsprint gave me a larger work surface.

When transferring the image, I used the silicone sheets. They feel just like paper, but protect better. This means you don’t need as thick of a layer to protect your surface, and the heat can get through more easily.

Drawing the image

The idea of these markers is that you can create any image you like. My only problem? I can’t draw!

Some of you may have seen my Filet Crochet Butterfly chart pattern, from a few years ago. I love the butterfly design, and decided that chart could be a great start for this project.

I printed out the chart to just a little bit less than 4 inches square, so it would fit on the coaster. Then, I drew the outline using a big black marker. It was a little like playing connect-the-dots. Download a cleaned up, pdf version of this outline!

Butterfly chart outline - Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

Placing a fresh sheet of paper on top, I was able to trace the outline using the Artesprix markers. This would have been infinitely easier with a light table, or even a light placed under a glass table. Unfortunately I didn’t have either available.

Then came the really fun part – coloring it in! The colors start out looking pretty dull on the paper, but once transferred they become much brighter, more like the end caps on the pens. I also layered some colors in a few places, to create some texture and shading.

Coloring butterfly - Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

Transferring the image

Before applying heat, I made a silicone sandwich. First, there was sheet of silicone to protect the work surface, and then the coaster. One side of the coaster has a matte, polyester coating. That was the side that needed to face up, with the other (shiny) side down. Next, I placed the image face down onto the coaster.

Here’s the point where I made a mistake. I thought it would be best to cut the image out first so I could position it easily on my coaster, and leave room to tape it into place. In doing so, I ended up placing some of the tape directly on top of the image I was transferring.

Drawing taped down - Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

It worked out ok in this case, but when the folks at Artesprix saw it they explained that it wasn’t the best way. The tape I used is heat resistant, so it can affect the amount of heat that actually makes it through to the image. This can potentially make those areas of the image not transfer as well, leaving lighter patches. So when you make yours, be sure that the tape doesn’t cover any part of your image!

Finally, I finished my sandwich with another silicone sheet. Following the instructions, I set my iron to a high heat setting with no steam, and pressed down on the image for 5 minutes. Luckily, my iron covered the whole image at once. If it didn’t, I would have had to press down on each area for the full 5 minutes.

The finished coaster

Heat made the colors come out much brighter, and the layering/shading I had done transferred well.
As far as care, the instructions recommend hand-washing to prevent fading of the image.

I love my pretty new coaster! It’s perfect for spring and I think I may need to make a whole set for my deck.

Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

Make your own!

You can find all the materials for this project (and much more) at Condé. You can also enter below for a chance to win a set of the markers plus 2 coaster blanks!

If you do make one, I’d love to see it! Please share your pictures on the Scrappy Stitchers Facebook group, or in the Scrappy Stitchers Link Party (yes, it’s ok, even though it’s not fiber).

Video tutorial

Watch the whole project from start to finish in this tutorial video!

Watch this video on YouTube

Enter the giveaway!

Artesprix is generously providing a set of their Thermal Transfer Markers and 2 coaster blanks, for one lucky winner!

Markers and coaster blank - Butterfly Coaster with ArtEsprix markers - StitchesnScraps

To be eligible, you must be 18 years of age or older, with a valid, US shipping address. The winner will be contacted by email, and must reply to that email and provide their selections and shipping address within 1 week in order to receive the prizes. If the winner does not reply within 1 week, a new winner will be selected. The giveaway ends on April 30th, 2019 (at 11:59pm, central time). Hurry and enter below!

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