The short answer: at the right temperature, beads start fusing after about 5 to 8 seconds of ironing and reach a good melt at 10 to 15 seconds per side. Mini beads take 5 to 8 seconds, maxi beads 20 to 30 seconds.
Melt time depends on heat and bead size. These numbers assume a medium-high iron at about 150 degrees, which is the correct starting point for standard beads.
Melt times by bead size
- Mini (2.6 mm): 5 to 8 seconds per side, they fuse very fast.
- Midi (5 mm): 10 to 15 seconds per side, the standard.
- Maxi (10 mm): 20 to 30 seconds per side, much thicker walls.
How to tell it is melted
Lift the iron and look through the paper: the surface should be one fused sheet with holes still visible as small dots. If beads pull apart easily, add 5 seconds. If the surface is smooth with no bead texture, stop, you have gone too far. Bigger projects need section work, covered in our large project FAQ, and full timing tables are in our ironing guide.