Sprite Stitch Board!

Don't know if I should post here or in Technique/Guide-forum...
What technique to use to get all the perler beads squares?
Look at the work of this perler beader for example, Serena Azureth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34400992@N05/
All the beads have melted to squares and even the edges are straight.
When I do my perler beads I can get the middle look alright, but the edges gets round, since there is nothing there to keep the pressure inwards.
What technique should one use to get that end result?
Do you have to use something to form the beads while they are hot and formable?

Serena is the mack daddy of bead ironing!! She irons everything completely so it more closely resembles a pixel. She lines the edges with clear beads and then cuts them off once she's done ironing to give that sharp, squared look!

Ah ok making an extra line of beads and then cut them off, I see. Clever! Thanks!

Serena is a big part of another forum I'm a part of, and she made a tutorial for how she flat irons here sprites. Quite a few of the members have found it really helpful. Hereis a link. I'd explain it to you myself, but she does a MUCH better job than I ever could. I hope it helps!

Thanks!!
Very nice guide! Serena is the best.

HerrPersilja wrote:Thanks!!
Very nice guide! Serena is the best.

She really is. She's very sweet & helpful, too.

I tried Serenas flat-ironing technique™ with Hama Mini beads and I was pleased with the result.
The mini beads melts faster and it's quite easy to cut away the extra layer of clear beads.
But today I tried with midi beads and it was much more difficult to get a nice finish when cutting away the extra layer.
Think I'll buy a file to remove all the excess material and hopefully the result will be better.