The short answer: beads usually fail to melt for one of five reasons: the iron is too cool, steam is on, the iron stayed in one spot instead of moving, the beads are old or sun-warped, or you are using a generic brand with a different melting point. Each has a simple fix.
When beads will not fuse, the problem is almost never the beads themselves. Work through this list in order and one of them will be your answer.
Work through these fixes
- Raise the heat: medium-high, about 150 degrees, is the starting point. Many irons run cooler than their dial claims.
- Turn steam off: steam cools the plate and soaks the paper.
- Keep moving: press in slow circles so heat builds evenly, and count a full 10 to 15 seconds.
- Test old beads: beads stored in heat or sun warp and lose their melt response; test five beads before a project.
- Check the brand: generic blends sometimes need more heat or longer time; our brand guide explains the differences.
If beads fuse unevenly
Patchy melting usually means the iron moved too fast or the heat is borderline. Slow down and re-iron the light spots only, through fresh paper. Full timing and settings are in our ironing guide, and if the piece ends up weak, our under-melted fix FAQ covers repairs.