The short answer: without ironing paper, use aluminum foil laid perfectly flat, or a silicone baking mat. Both survive iron heat and release beads cleanly. Never use wax paper or plastic wrap, which melt onto the beads and ruin the piece.
Running out of paper is common, and the right substitute depends on what is in your kitchen. Here is the full list, safe first.
What works
- Aluminum foil: heat-safe and non-stick enough. Smooth it flat first; creases show in the melt.
- Silicone baking mat: the best substitute, reusable, non-stick, iron-safe.
- Parchment from a baking box: if a baking mix came with parchment, it works exactly like ironing paper.
What never works
Wax paper melts its coating into the beads and leaves white stains. Plastic wrap fuses into an unremovable mess. Newspaper ink transfers onto the surface. And bare ironing without any barrier will stick beads to the plate. Technique stays the same with any safe barrier: 10 to 15 seconds per side, slow circles, then flip. Our foil FAQ has details, and our ironing guide covers the full routine.