DIY Watercolor Tote Bag with Artesprix Sublimation Inks

Looking for a fun and vibrant way to personalize your own tote bag? In this DIY project, I’m sharing how I combined techniques I recently learned from a class taught by my talented friend Tracy Weinzapfel to create a custom watercolor-inspired design using Artesprix Sublimation Inks. I took those creative watercolor techniques and transformed them into a one-of-a-kind sublimation design that pops with color on an Artesprix sublimation tote bag. Whether you’re new to sublimation or looking for fresh inspiration, this project is a perfect blend of art and function—let’s get creative and make something beautiful you can carry with pride!

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A colorful tote bag featuring a hand-drawn floral design with various flowers and a blue background, surrounded by Artesprix sublimation inks and a marker. — Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks watercolor technique

You do not have to be an artist to do this! All you need is the ability to let yourself go and see what you can create. I share tips in the new video that help me create this and allow myself the freedom to just let it go.

Here is a look at watercolor image before I added in the black outlines with the Artesprix black sublimation marker.

An artistic workspace featuring a watercolor painting of flowers in progress, surrounded by various bottles of Artesprix sublimation inks, a paint palette with mixed colors, and a yellow pencil, all set on a wooden table. — Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks before outline

The black sketched outline really makes it all pop and come together. Keep in mind that sublimation inks do not show their true colors until they are heat pressed for the full time and temperature. Once pressed, you will see those colors brighten and become vibrant.

Supplies for Custom DIY Watercolor Design Sublimation Tote:

Artesprix Sublimation Tote
Artesprix Sublimation Markers
Artesprix Sublimation Inks – 0.5 fl. oz. or 2 fl. oz. (new larger size!)
Artesprix Protective Paper
Artesprix Heat Tape
Artesprix Protective Pad
Royal Talens Mixed Media Paper 9″ x 12″ pad (also available in 5.5″ x 8.5″ size pad)
Dynasty Paint Brush
Paint Puck
Painters Tape
Heat source – I used a Siser 9″ x 12″ Heat Press
Other supplies: pencil, scissors, paper towels, copy paper, ruler, wet wipes, paper towel, silicone mat

A DIY craft setup featuring a white tote bag with a colorful watercolor flower design, alongside various Artesprix sublimation markers and bottles of sublimation inks on a wooden surface. — Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks watercolor technique

Watch this tutorial HERE on the Artesprix YouTube channel.

I’m completely hooked on crafting with Artesprix products—every time I use them, my creativity sparks and fresh project ideas start flowing! Combine using Artesprix with your cutting machines or just allow yourself to play all on your own. There are so many possibilities.

I would highly recommend just playing around and see what you create, but if you just don’t feel comfortable drawing freehand, you can always set up your cutting machine to sketch with a pencil too.

Here is a sample I did using a mechanical pencil using a Flower Sketch design.

A Silhouette cutting machine set up on a table with a pencil in one of its slots, ready for sketching a design on paper.

Since it is pencil, it is harder to see. Here is a close up of this sketch flower design.

Close-up of a silhouette cutting machine, with a faint outline of a flower design on the paper below.

Since pencil does not transfer to the sublimation blank, I’m not worried about the drag marks, but you could adjust and play with settings to get it just right if you wanted. When using pencil, keep in mind that it will dull quickly, but you can always send it back through again as long as you do not unload the cutting mat.

Sketching with your machine can be done with any pen, marker, pencil that can fit in the pen adapters. Find more resources on sketching with Silhouette HERE and all about sketching supplies HERE.

A vibrant watercolor illustration featuring colorful flowers, including pink, red, and yellow blooms against a light blue background, created on a sublimation tote bag.

This hand drawn design was inspired by Tracy Weinzapfel and her amazing talent as an instructor. I am so glad I signed up for her Fresh Start in Art 5 Day challenge when I saw it.

Check out more of my Artesprix sublimation creations HERE.

I’ll be sharing more so make sure to follow Artesprix on social media to see more projects!
YouTube channel
Blog
Facebook Page
Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Facebook Group

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A custom sublimation tote bag featuring a colorful watercolor design with various flowers, alongside Artesprix sublimation inks and a pen on a wooden surface.

Grab some Artesprix sublimation products and get to creating today!

Enjoy !

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