Welcome to our SparkleBerry Sublimation Earrings project! This beginner project is a wonderful way to begin your sublimation journey. Even better, with the SparkleBerry Sublimation Craft Kit, you don't even need a printer! (And who doesn't love SparkleBerry earrings?)

• SparkleBerry Sublimation Transfers
• Heat Press/EasyPress
• Butcher, Parchment or Copy Paper
• Heat Safe Tape
• Weeding Tools
• Sublimatable Earrings
• Jewelry Pliers
• Lint Roller

Let's prep our sublimation project!

To get started, set your heat press or EasyPress to 400°F. My heat press usually lands around 397°F when I set it at 400°F but those few degrees will not make a difference. If you have a timer on your heat press, set it to 60 seconds. 

Next, prep your sublimation earrings. The earrings have a protective covering on each side. Using tweezers or a pick, find the edge of the clear protectant and pull it completely off. (You can throw this away)

Please note: We will not attach any of the hardware to the earrings until the very end of the project.

Once your earrings are prepped, place them on a clean surface. Use your lint roller to clean debris off of the surface of the earrings before we sublimate.

Next, cut about a 3x3 square out of your favorite pattern from your Sublimation Craft Kit. Use your heat tape to tape the sublimation earrings to your paper. The pattern side of the paper should be touching the blank surface of the earring. 

Cut (2) 3x3 squares from your protective sheet (copy paper, butcher paper or my favorite, Artesprix's siliconized Protective Paper.) 

And now...it's time to make a sandwich! 

I am a huge fan of Artesprix and their awesome tutorials. Ashley from Artesprix named this next process as "making a sublimation sandwich." You can find the Artesprix Youtube channel here. 

Ashley's explanation is a super easy way to think about it so I'm borrowing it today for you. 

Sublimation Sandwich

• Bottom layer: Protective paper (this can be butcher paper, siliconized paper or even copy paper) Place this near the center of the press.
• Next, place both taped earrings on top of the protective paper, with your earrings touching the bottom protective paper and the back of the sub transfer facing up.
• Place your last protective paper square on top to complete your sandwich. 

This is how it should look on your press

Let's chat about WHY we need protective paper. Ink that transfers to your heat press, will potentially transfer to the next project you press. So let's play it safe and protect that heat press (and your future projects.) ;)

Here's where the magic is.

Heat Press Instructions:

Once you have your sandwich prepped, carefully close your heat press, ensuring that it is set to 400°F and the timer is set for 60 seconds. Your pressure doesn't have to be firm, medium pressure is sufficient. Now do a happy dance while you wait...your earrings are going to be BEAUTIFUL! 

EasyPress Instructions: 

Place your sublimation sandwich on a firm, heat safe surface. You may want to place an additional larger sheet of protective paper slightly larger than your easy press platen beneath your sandwich to further protect the surface below your easy press. Set your Easypress to 400°F and and the timer for 60 seconds. You'll place it directly on top of your sandwich and take your hands off for the duration of the press. You do not need to apply extra pressure. 

And this is how your earrings should look after your first press!

Don't forget your earrings have two sides...

You are going to repeat this same process for the other side of the earrings. You may use the same pattern or a coordinating pattern. (I chose a coordinating pattern this time)

Applying the hardware.

Once your earrings have cooled (and you've ooed and awed and sent 3 pics to your friends...) find the two tiny little jump rings that came with your Sublimation Add-on. Using your jewelry pliers, pry each one open slightly and place it in the hole of the earring. Loop the end of your post onto the jump ring. Once you've constructed the hardware, press the two ends of the jump ring close together to ensure the post does not slip out.

You did it! You are a sublimator now!

If you're looking for more fun sub projects like this, check out our Sublimation Transfers at www.SparkleBerryINK.com. The Sublimation Transfer option is available on every single pattern! This is similar to Cricut Infusible Ink, only more economical and plus...it's SPARKLEBERRY! 

Once you've completed a few sublimation transfer projects, you'll probably want to know more about sublimation printers. The most popular printers on the market are from the Sawgrass and Epson. There is a ton of information and reviews on both options, so please do your research. :) 

xoxo, Mandy