Encourage reading AND crafting by making custom Wooden Butterfly Bookmarks using Ikonart!
I love making bookmarks and think they are a fun way to encourage kids (and adults) to keep reading. There are so many ways to customize blank wood bookmarks, but one of my favorites is to wood burn a creative design on the front using my Ikonart custom stencil kit! These Wooden Butterfly Bookmarks are so simple and fun to make for crafters of every level. What's even better is that you can reuse the stencil over and over to make a whole collection of bookmarks. These are great for selling or gifting to both kids and adults - not to mention that bookmarks are a fantastic incentive to keep reading!!
To make your own Butterfly Wood Burned Bookmarks, you will need these supplies:
- Butterfly Bookmark Design
- Ikonart Custom Stencil Kit
- 6"x2" Wood Blank Bookmarks
- Torch Paste
- Squeegee
- Heat Gun
- Unicorn SPiT Gel Stain
- Paint Brush
- Bookmark Tassels
Printables and cut files from Artsy-Fartsy Mama are for personal use only. You may use these files for personal projects, but you may not sell them. If you'd like to share this project digitally, share a link to this post/website only. Do not share a direct link to the file.
To make a stencil, you need to start with a printed design. Download the Butterfly Bookmark Design and size it to fit the 6"x2" bookmarks. Print the design as dark as possible on either inkjet or laser Ikonart Printer Film.
The next step in the process is exposing the stencil film. Set up the exposure stand with UV LED Light by following the directions included in the kit. Ikonart Stencil Film is light sensitive, so be careful to keep it out of sunlight and bright lights before exposure. Cut a piece of the film the slightly larger than the design print.
Lay the piece of film down on the base of the stand with the textured side facing up. Place the printed design on top of the stencil film, making sure it's right-side up - meaning that you should be able to read the words printed on the design.
Lastly, place the clear exposure sheet (found in the stencil film pack) on top and press it down well to seal the design tight against the stencil film. Turn the exposure light on and expose the film for 35 seconds.
The next step in the stencil-making process is to washout, or rinse, the stencil to reveal the image on the film. Clip the exposed stencil film to the Ikonart clipboard with the shiny side (carrier sheet) touching the clipboard. Use a kitchen sink sprayer to rinse the stencil film with warm water until the design shows through and becomes completely clear. The washout process usually takes no more than 3 minutes.
Gently blot the excess water from the stencil, and hang or lay the stencil flat to dry for about 45 minutes. When the stencil is dry, you shouldn't see any water spots or discoloration. Once the stencil is completely dried, place the it back on the exposure stand and expose it again for at least 2 minutes without the clear cover sheet on top. This extra exposure time increases the durability of the stencil so you can get as much use out of it as possible.
Prep the bookmarks by sanding the surface smooth with sandpaper, if necessary. If you use stencils on an uneven surface, you will get bleeds and other problems. Use a permanent marker and write the word "back" on the carrier sheet (shiny side) on the back of the stencil. This helps later when you put the carrier sheet and the stencil back together when you are done using it.
Peel the carrier sheet away from the stencil and set it aside (don't throw it away). Center the stencil on top of the bookmark and rub the stencil down to help it stick to the surface and to get rid of any air bubbles.
When it comes to wood-burning projects, my go-to is Torch Paste! This stuff makes it easier than ever to create a professional-looking project with pretty much any image or text you want!
Use the squeegee to apply a thin layer of Torch Paste over the entire stencil. You'll know that the area is covered because it will look light orange in color. Once the image is completely covered, scrape off any excess paste and put it back into the jar.
As long as you didn't have any bleeds, you can use the stencil over and over again without washing in between to apply the design to as many bookmarks as you want! I'm going to be making a whole set for my husband to give to his students on the first week of school, so being able to reuse the stencil is a lifesaver!
Let the paste sit on the wood coasters to dry for at least 2-3 minutes (wash the stencil out while you're waiting). When the Torch Paste is no longer tacky to the touch, it is dry and ready for the next step.
Washing Stencils:
For best results, wash stencils while the paint/Torch Paste is still wet. To wash your stencil so that it can be used again and again, first get the clipboard wet so your stencil doesn't stick to it. Place the stencil on the clipboard with the textured side up, and lightly rub the stencil under cold running water to remove all the paint.
Do not rub or scrub the adhesive side of the stencil, and NEVER use anything other than water to wash the stencils. To prevent the stencil from breaking down, don't ever leave the stencils to soak.
Remove the stencil from the clipboard and lay it down with the adhesive side up. While the stencil is still wet, place the carrier sheet onto the stencil so that the word “BACK” is readable. Hang or lay the stencil flat to dry completely.
Now it's time for a little magic! Place the bookmark on a heat-proof surface, and use a heat gun to apply heat to the design. Move the heat around continuously so that you don't burn one spot for too long. As you go over the pasted areas, the design will magically turn from a light orange to black. The longer you apply heat, the darker the burn effect will be.
I decided to add some color to the bookmarks by painting a thin coat of Unicorn SPiT Gel Stain with a paint brush on each bookmark. To get an ombre look, apply a thin coat of another color at the top of the bookmark and blend the colors at the center. I also painted the backs of the bookmarks with a solid color, and then topped the front with a clear sealant to keep them looking as good as possible for as long as possible.
Once dry, the wood burned designs pop right through the stain!
Last, but not least, loop a colorful bookmark tassel through the opening at the top of the bookmarks.
These bookmarks are SO easy to make, and there are SO many options to make each one unique! This is a fun project for crafters of all ages - though younger kids would need extra help. Bookmarks also make great gifts for both kids and adults, and they are a fantastic incentive to keep reading!!
I don't even want to think about using anything but Ikonart to make these Wooden Butterfly Bookmarks! I'm thrilled that I could make a whole collection of bookmarks using the same stencil, and they turned out looking so professional. These bookmarks make great gifts and could also be a fantastic item to sell! I'd love to hear what you think about this project, or if you want to know more about reusable stencils. If you've made your own stenciled projects, I would love to see your creations! Share them on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts
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