28 Free Printable Melty Bead Patterns: Hearts, Animals, Stars & More
Fancy trying a new Melty Bead design? We've gathered 28 free printable pattern sheets from Porta Craft, with hearts, butterflies, pandas, rainbows, stars, sweet treats and a few festive favourites.
Melty Beads are small plastic craft beads that sit on a pegboard to make a picture or pattern. You might also know them as fuse beads or iron-on beads. Once the design is arranged, an adult uses an iron and protective ironing paper to fuse the beads together.
Some of these designs are quick enough for a first project; others are a little more detailed. Each printable PDF tells you the pegboard shape and size needed, and we've linked the suggested bead colours underneath each preview. Already have a board? Scroll down and find a pattern that fits it. Starting from scratch? Shop Melty Beads and accessories at Discount Craft.
What you need to get started with Melty Beads
You'll need Melty Beads, a pegboard in the right size and shape, ironing paper and a household iron for an adult to use. Melty Bead tweezers are handy for positioning individual beads, especially on patterns with lots of small details.
Melty Beads Shop individual colours and mixed packs 
Melty Bead Pegboards Shop different shapes and sizes 
Melty Bead Ironing Paper 5 sheets, each 20 x 30cm
Which beads should you buy?
If you're new to this craft, Multi Bright or Multi Pastel is an easy way to get a selection of shades together. If you've chosen a pattern with lots of one particular colour, individual 30g colour packets are useful for topping up. Check the colour list on your chosen pattern before ordering.
The pegboard matters just as much as the beads. A small heart, large square and hexagon all have different peg layouts, so choose the matching pegboard rather than going by size alone. You can keep using the board for other designs that fit it.
How to make Melty Bead designs
- Print your pattern. Open the PDF and print at actual size (100%), not "fit to page", so the dots line up with the pegboard.
- Set up the pegboard. Place the template on a flat surface and lay the correct clear Porta Craft pegboard over it.
- Arrange your beads. Follow the printed colours, placing one bead on each peg shown. Tweezers can make the smaller sections easier.
- Iron the beads. An adult places Porta Craft ironing paper over the design and gently moves a household iron set to medium heat in circles for approximately 10 seconds, or until the beads have joined. Follow the supplier's instructions and take care around the hot iron.
- Cool and finish. Allow the design to cool before handling. An adult can then turn it over and repeat the ironing process on the other side, following the supplier's instructions.
Safety: A hot iron must be used by an adult. Small beads are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under three. Keep the iron away from children and never place it directly onto the beads without the protective ironing paper.
28 free printable Melty Bead patterns and designs
Browse hearts, stars and rainbows, animals and characters, food and other favourites or Christmas Melty Bead patterns. Some PDFs include two or more designs on one sheet. Click any preview to open its printable template.
Printing tip: Choose "Actual size" or 100% in your printer settings. If you select "Fit to page", the pegboard dots may no longer line up with the printed design.
Free heart, star and rainbow Melty Bead patterns
There are a few easy patterns here if you are new to Melty Beads, plus larger stars and hearts for anyone keen to work with more colours. Pick the design first, then check its pegboard size.
Rainbow Hearts
Two small hearts on one sheet, using red, yellow, aqua and purple. A good place to begin if you already have a handful of bright beads.
Pegboard: 8cm Heart pegboard
Bright Hearts
Another pair of little hearts, this time with purple, pink and orange among the colours. Make one or try both designs.
Pegboard: 8cm Heart pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Purple, bright pink, orange, yellow and aqua.
Pastel Heart
Got a packet of pastel beads? This little heart is a good one to start with, especially if you prefer softer shades.
Pegboard: 8cm Heart pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Multi Pastel.
Colourful Heart
This one fills a 15cm heart pegboard with blocks of red, pink, yellow and cool pastels. A little more to work on than the smaller hearts.
Pegboard: 15cm Heart pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Red, pastel pink, yellow, lilac and pastel aqua.
Pink, Purple & Red Heart
Bands of pink, red and purple run through this larger heart. Try it for a Valentine's Day craft or simply because those are your favourite colours.
Pegboard: 15cm Heart pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Red, pastel pink, bright pink, lilac and purple.
Rainbow Heart
A rainbow of colour worked into a 15cm heart. Follow the six colours shown or change the shades to suit what you have.
Pegboard: 15cm Heart pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
Blue Star
Using the Multi Cool bead mix, this small star is a straightforward project without a long list of separate colours.
Pegboard: 9cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Multi Cool.
Two Small Stars
One printable sheet, two little stars. Choose a favourite or make them both with a pink, purple, white and yellow mix.
Pegboard: 9cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Purple, bright pink, white, lilac and yellow.
Rainbow Star
This larger star uses rings of bright rainbow colours. Have all your beads sorted before you begin, as there are plenty of colour changes.
Pegboard: 15cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, purple, bright pink, pastel pink and blue.
Aqua & Lilac Star
Four colours make up this large star: aqua, pastel aqua, purple and lilac. A lovely option if you prefer to stick to a smaller palette.
Pegboard: 15cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Aqua, pastel aqua, purple and lilac.
Pastel Spiral Star
Follow the spiral of colour through the middle of this 15cm star. Take your time with the changing shades as you work outwards.
Pegboard: 15cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Blue, bright pink, yellow, lilac, white, pastel pink, purple, pastel yellow and pastel aqua.
Colourful Circle
A compact circle pattern designed for the Multi Bright bead mix. Make sure your pegboard matches the supplier's 8.5cm template.
Pegboard: 8.5cm Circle pegboard (supplier-specified).
Suggested bead colours: Multi Bright.
Rainbow & Flower
A rainbow and a flower share this printable sheet. Both use the smaller circle board, so you can choose one design and come back for the other.
Pegboard: 8.5cm Circle pegboard (supplier-specified).
Suggested bead colours: Red, yellow, aqua, purple and white.
Rainbow with Clouds
Rows of red, orange, yellow, green and other shades curve over two white clouds. You'll need the 15cm circle pegboard for this rainbow.
Pegboard: 15cm Circle pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, purple, pastel pink and white.
Colourful Hexagon
This pattern follows the six-sided pegboard shape with repeating rows of bright colours. It's a nice change from animals and hearts.
Pegboard: 15cm Hexagon pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Purple, white, red, yellow, orange, bright pink and aqua.
Found a heart or star you like? Shop Melty Bead colours and mixed packs, or find the pegboard for your pattern before you start.
Animal and character Melty Bead patterns
From little pets to butterflies and a princess, these patterns have plenty of personality. The smaller square designs are good for getting started, while the larger ones take a bit more patience.
Small Butterflies
Two colourful little butterflies that fit the 8cm square pegboard. Try matching wings or swap the colours around for a different look.
Pegboard: 8cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Purple, bright pink, orange, yellow and aqua.
Large Butterfly
The larger butterfly has black detailing around its pink, purple and aqua sections. Use the 15cm square board to fit the full design.
Pegboard: 15cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Black, pastel aqua, bright pink, yellow and purple.
Cat & Dog
A cat and dog on one printable sheet, both made with an 8cm square board. They have different colour lists, so check which pet you want to make first.
Pegboard: 8cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Orange, brown, pastel yellow, bright pink, pastel pink, aqua, blue, black, white, light grey, red and yellow.
Panda
A little panda using the Multi Mono bead mix, listed at Discount Craft as Multi Monochrome. Good if you'd rather work with fewer shades.
Pegboard: 8cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Multi Mono (sold as Multi Monochrome).
Owl
This owl makes use of the hexagon board, with colourful feathers and contrasting details around its face. A project for when you have a little more time.
Pegboard: 15cm Hexagon pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Dark grey, brown, purple, lilac, bright pink, orange, yellow, green and black.
Teddy Bear
A teddy bear complete with a bow. There are a few small details around the face, so follow the pattern closely as you place the beads.
Pegboard: 15cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Brown, beige, yellow, pastel pink, pastel aqua, aqua, purple and black.
Princess
The princess has more colour changes than the smaller animal designs. Worth choosing when you feel like a slightly more detailed project.
Pegboard: 15cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Brown, blue, black, yellow, orange, bright pink, pastel pink, purple, lilac, pastel aqua and beige.
Food and other fun Melty Bead designs
Fancy making a cupcake, hamburger or iced donut? These cheerful designs are a good excuse to pull out your brightest bead colours.
Cupcake & Hamburger
Cupcake or hamburger? Both are included on this one sheet and use the 8cm square board, so you can make one now and keep the other for later.
Pegboard: 8cm Square pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Brown, beige, yellow, orange, pastel pink, white, red, aqua and green.
Donut
Pink icing, bright sprinkles and a round donut shape. This one uses the 15cm circle board and a mix of warm and cool colours.
Pegboard: 15cm Circle pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Beige, brown, bright pink, aqua, blue, red, orange, yellow and white.
Ice Creams & Star
Six little ice cream designs plus a star on one printable sheet. Pick your favourite and experiment with different colour combinations.
Pegboard: 9cm Star pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Beige, white, red, aqua, purple, bright pink, pastel pink, lilac, yellow, orange and pastel aqua.
Dreamcatcher
This circular pattern uses layers of pink, purple and aqua tones. Sort your colours into small piles before starting the finer sections.
Pegboard: 15cm Circle pegboard
Suggested bead colours: Aqua, pastel yellow, purple, lilac, bright pink, pastel pink, pastel aqua and white.
Christmas Melty Bead patterns
Looking for a Christmas craft activity for the kids? These printable snowflakes and penguin patterns are easy to add to a festive craft afternoon, even in an Australian summer.
Small Snowflake & Penguin
Choose between a blue-and-white snowflake and a cheerful penguin, both made on the supplier's 8.5cm circle layout.
Pegboard: 8.5cm Circle pegboard (supplier-specified).
Suggested bead colours: Blue, aqua, white, pastel pink and yellow.
Large Snowflake
A detailed snowflake with white, aqua and pastel aqua beads. The hexagon board gives the pattern its six-pointed shape.
Pegboard: 15cm Hexagon pegboard
Suggested bead colours: White, aqua and pastel aqua.
Which Melty Bead pegboard do I need?
The shape and size listed under each pattern comes from Porta Craft's printable template. The 8cm square, 8cm heart and 9cm star boards are for smaller designs, while the 15cm boards suit the larger ones. Not every pattern will line up with a different shape, even when the boards look similar. Browse our Melty Bead pegboards to choose the correct one.
Melty Beads FAQs
Are these Melty Bead patterns free to print?
Yes. All 28 Porta Craft pattern sheets are free to download. You can print the templates at home and use your own beads, the matching pegboard and ironing paper to make the designs.
What are Melty Beads? Are they the same as fuse beads or iron-on beads?
Melty Beads are the same general style of craft often called fuse beads or iron-on beads: small beads are placed on a pegboard and fused together with heat. Hama and Perler are other brands you may see mentioned in pattern searches. These particular PDFs were made for Porta Craft pegboards, and boards or beads from different brands may not be interchangeable.
Which Melty Bead patterns are easiest for beginners?
Start with the Pastel Heart, Blue Star or Panda. Each uses a smaller pegboard and the supplier recommends a mixed-colour bead pack, so you won't need to collect as many separate colours.
Do I need a different pegboard for every pattern?
No. You can use the same pegboard for as many patterns as fit its shape and peg layout. Just check the requirement printed on each PDF. The pegboard collection has the various shapes and sizes available from Discount Craft.
Why doesn't my printed pattern line up with the pegboard?
Make sure the PDF is printed at 100% or actual size rather than "fit to page". Also check that the board is the correct shape and size. The supplier's small circle templates specify 8.5cm, which may differ from a board labelled 8cm.
Can children make Melty Bead designs?
Children can arrange the beads with appropriate supervision, but all ironing must be done by an adult. Small beads are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under three. Follow the age and safety instructions on the product packaging.
Pick a pattern and get the supplies together
Choose a printable design, check the pegboard size and follow the linked colour list beside the pattern. If you need anything, you can shop Melty Beads in individual colours and mixed packets, browse the pegboards and pick up ironing paper at Discount Craft. Enjoy making your next design!
Thanks to Porta Craft for providing the free printable pattern sheets featured in this guide.