What you need
- The finished design on its pegboard, on a flat, heat-safe surface.
- Ironing paper (the sheet that comes with the beads) or baking parchment.
- A household iron with no water in it, on a medium setting, steam off.
- A heavy book for cooling.
- An adult at the iron when children made the design.
Step by step
- Set the iron to medium with no steam and let it warm up for a few minutes.
- Lay the ironing paper over the beads so it covers the whole design.
- Iron in slow circles with light pressure, about 10 to 20 seconds for a small piece, moving evenly over every area.
- Lift a corner of the paper: when the holes have shrunk a little and the beads hold together, that side is done.
- Let it cool for a minute, peel off the paper, lift the piece off the board and turn it over.
- Iron the back the same way if you want it fused on both sides.
- While it is still warm, put the piece under a heavy book to cool flat.
Open holes or smooth
Short ironing leaves round, open holes and a beaded look; longer ironing closes the holes for a flatter, smoother and sturdier piece. Try a corner first and go back for a few seconds more if it still feels loose.
Common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Beads don't stick | Too little heat or time | A few more seconds, with slightly more pressure |
| The piece curls | It cooled unevenly | Warm both sides lightly and cool it under a book |
| Beads melt flat or stick to the paper | Too hot or too long | Lower the heat and let the paper cool before peeling |
| The design shifts on the board | The paper slid | Hold the paper still and iron in small circles |
Mini beads
Mini beads (2.5 to 2.6 mm) melt faster: use less time, keep the iron moving and check often. Use the board made for them, since mini beads don't sit on 5 mm pegs.
Keep the iron out of children's reach and let the piece cool before handling it: melted beads stay hot longer than they look.
Questions
What temperature do I iron Perler beads at?
A medium setting with steam off. Every iron is different, so test on a small piece first.
Can I use baking paper?
Yes, baking parchment works well. Never iron the beads directly: they stick to the iron.
How long do I iron the beads?
About 10 to 20 seconds for a small piece, in slow circles, then check. Larger pieces take longer; work area by area.
Do I need to iron both sides?
Not always. One side holds the piece together; ironing the back as well makes it sturdier and more even.
How do I stop beads from curling?
Cool the piece flat under a heavy book while it is still warm.
Do Hama and Artkal beads iron the same way?
Yes. All 5 mm fuse beads iron the same way; mini beads just need less heat and time.