Spring Sublimation Wind Spinner Designs: Free Bundle

Instructions

STEP 1: GET OR PREPARE AND PRINT A SUBLIMATION DESIGN

You can use my DIY Wind Spinner files from my resource library, Design #520.

I have six designs, or you can create your own. I've also included a vector version of the Tree of Life for use with infusible ink transfer sheets.

- Autumn Moon

- Autumn Path

- Autumn Scene

- Autumn Tree

- Winter Moon

- Winter Tree

Today, I’m going to make the Autumn Tree design, but you can use these steps for any of the designs.

We'll print the design on a good-quality sublimation paper for the best results. I’m using A-SUB paper in my Epson EcoTank with Hiipoo ink.

Measure your blank wind spinner and make sure your image size is correct before printing. I’m using these 8” wind spinners, with 8.25" designs, so we can fully sublimate them using 8.5” X 11” paper.

NOTE: It is best to make the print a little larger than the blank. This also makes it easier to tape the blank in position, and we can sublimate all the way to the edges. Make sure to purchase 8" wind spinners, and not 10" or larger if using standard 8.5" X 11" paper to print and sublimate.

You can use image editing software to prepare your design. If you need help printing for sublimation please check out my Sublimation T-Shirts for Beginners for detailed information on printing using Google Docs.

Don't forget, that since we will be sublimating both sides of the wind spinner, we will need to print two copies of the design.

STEP 2: SUBLIMATE YOUR WIND SPINNER BLANK

Before you begin, make sure you have proper ventilation by opening a window or turning on a large fan.

Warning: you will be working with materials that will be heated to a high temperature. It is strongly recommended that you wear heat resistant gloves when handling these materials.

Preheat your EasyPress to 360°F (192°C) and set the time to 120 seconds.



Make sure to peel off the protective coating from BOTH sides of the wind spinner blank prior to pressing.

Lint roll your blank to remove any dust and debris. You'll want to do this to each side, before sublimating. Don't forget to lint roll the second side after the first is pressed, as more debris can be introduced while pressing the first side.

With the sublimation print face up on the table, place the blank face down. Either side works fine. Secure with heat resistant tape. I used eight pieces to secure it properly. I found that using only four pieces of heat tape allowed the print to lift more than when taping all the way around the wind spinner.

If the paper is not taped securely enough, the image can 'ghost', and some of the sublimation ink can be carried to the other side of the blank.

To find the center of your print, use a pencil and ruler and mark it on the top, and side margins with a pencil on both prints.

Place a clean sheet of white card stock on your heat mat. We do not want to sublimate our heat mat!






Place your blank on the white card stock, sublimation print will be face down.





Use caution to not bend the aluminum wind spinner. While handling before and after sublimating.

We'll need to wear gloves, to protect our hands from heat. The spinners are not sharp on the edges, so can be handled without gloves while preparing.

Place a clean sheet of butcher paper on top of your print.

Place the Easypress on top of the sublimation print and blank, and click the 'C' button to start the timer. Use medium pressure, and do not slide, or move the Easypress off the print. Hold still!




When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight up and return it to its stand. Use caution not to lift the print and blank up with the heat press. Also, make sure to move the press straight up, and not off to the side, as removing the print diagonally can produce 'ghosting'. Wait for one minute to let the spinner cool down a bit.

Get ready to remove the print. It can be tough to remove all of the tape while still wearing your gloves, but don't worry, you can remove the rest later.

Once your blank has cooled, you will want to repeat the same steps to press the same design on the back of the wind spinner blank. Make sure you sublimate the back with the top facing the same direction as the other side. And make sure that there is equal distance around the print, and you use the pencil marks to center the blank.

STEP 3: INFUSIBLE INK SHEETS VERSION

Upload the Tree of Life SVG file to Cricut Design Space and add it to your Canvas.

This is what my SVG file looks like on my Canvas. You can zoom out to see all of the design by clicking on the minus (-) sign on the lower left.

Make sure the outer layer is sized to 8.25” so we can sublimate off the edge of our wind spinner blanks.

Select the tree and click Duplicate. Drag the duplicate to the side.

Make sure you have the right machine selected and click "Make It."
If prompted, click "On Mat," "12 in x 12 in," and "Confirm."

On the Make screen be sure to Mirror your design on both mats.

Move your image to the center of the mat.

Choose the ‘Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet’ material setting and the pressure to more.

Place your Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet onto a green StandardGrip Mat, with the finished side facing up. Use a brayer to secure the sheet to the mat.

TIP: The Infusible Ink patterns are directional, so keep that in mind if you want the patterns to go in the same direction.

Make sure you have a clean Fine-Point Blade in the correct clamp. 

Load the mat, and press Go.

Once the cut is complete, unload the mat and remove the ink sheet.

Roll the design and start 'cracking' the cuts to allow easier removal around the design elements.

Remove the tree shape from the carrier sheet.

TIP: If a design piece shifts, like the ink within the tree branches just gently put it back in place with the tweezers. This stuff is pretty sturdy!

Cover your heat mat like we did earlier with white card stock and place the blank on the design.

Use heat tape and tape down the sides. I like to use eight pieces all the way around the wind spinner.

Now, flip the blank and taped design over and add butcher paper on top to protect your press.

Make sure your heat press is at the correct temperature and time settings.

Hold the heat press on the blank at 360°F (192°C) for 120 seconds using light pressure. The infusible ink sheets require light pressure and a little less time then the sublimated version. Hold still!

When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight up and return it to its stand. Use caution not to lift the print and blank up with the heat press. Also, make sure to move the press straight up, and not off to the side, as removing the print diagonally can produce 'ghosting'. Wait for one minute to let the spinner cool down a bit.

Remove the tape and sublimation paper.

If you plan to hang your wind spinners outdoors in a sunny spot, you might want to consider spraying a UV Resistant Clear Coat to prevent fading. In an outdoor space, place your wind spinner at the bottom of a box. Spray the UV Resistant Clear Coat on on side of the wind spinner. Wait for it to completely dry - about 10 minutes and repeat in the other side.

STEP 4: BEND YOUR WIND SPINNER

Now it's time to bend our wind spinner rings into position!

The instructions state to spin the center part last, but I like to keep the center aligned with the hanging holes.

No need for gloves since the spinner has cooled down after sublimating, and the edges of the aluminum spinner can be handled without gloves. They are not as sharp as they look!


I start with the left side. Bend the outer most ring to about 45° inward toward you. I like to stabilize the bottom of the blank on a sturdy surface while bending. Then with the next smaller ring bend forward, but not as much. Do the same for each ring until you reach the center. Try and place even distance between each ring.



Then flip, and do the same with the other side of the wind spinner. Work from the left side again.

You can adjust each ring trying to make symmetrical. I like to view the wind spinner from the top to make sure each sides' rings are aligned, so that when spinning, the design is stable and stays true and symmetrical.

Optional Motor

The wind spinners have small mounting holes at the top and bottom. You can use the supplied swivel clips to attach them, outdoors, with line, or a shepherd's pole. You could also mount from the bottom hole, using a garden ornamental stake, but you would have to attach it securely with a small bolt, etc.

Since there is a top and bottom hole, you have the option to daisy-chain these. Imagine the possibilities!

While these aluminum wind spinners look great, and last, outdoors, you might want to display them indoors as well.

To replace the lack of wind indoors, I used a small battery and remote operated motor to spin the wind spinner at 10rpm. 20rpm was a little fast for me.


Note that the swivel joint needs to be removed if using the motor. We want to turn the wind spinner, not free-spin the swivel.


You can simply use the clip the swivel was attached to. Open the clip with your finger and place the small opening in the hole on the bottom of the motor. The large opening on the clip can be placed on the wind spinners' top hole. Make sure not to scratch your beautiful design!

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

These wind spinner look great outdoors, or even indoors, for year-round enjoyment.