Alcohol ink can work very well on plastic and produce some excellent looking artwork but you have to keep in mind that there are actually seven different types of plastic that are used for various things.
What materials can you use alcohol ink on?
Wood (wood is a porous material, as is fabric, but Alcohol Inks still work on it as you can see. You would want to use it for small projects as it takes more ink.)
Can you use alcohol ink to paint on glass?
If you are painting on tile, stone, or glass, you can achieve a marbled look with alcohol ink. Pour a couple of drops of different colored ink onto a felt applicator, then dab the applicator against your stone, glass, or tile.
Can you use alcohol ink to dye clothes?
You can use alcohol inks to dye all sorts of clothing and accessories, such as scarves, shoes, tablecloths, bedsheets, and pillows. Metal is another great surface for alcohol ink because of its non-porous characteristics. If you want to give it a try, you can find yourself an aluminum canvas at an art and craft store.
How do you use alcohol ink on a slick surface?
Some other methods could include putting alcohol ink on your slick surface and pressing your paper or surface into the ink to create a pattern. Another technique could be putting the alcohol ink in water and putting your surface through the water to create a different look. Use a slick surface for easier clean-up.
How do you seal alcohol ink on plastic?
Krylon Kamar Varnish is by far the most recommended sealant for alcohol ink projects! This is a spray-on product that is extremely easy to use. You can seal with just one or a few coats to really bring out the depth and sheen of your piece.
What surfaces can you use alcohol inks on?
Alcohol inks are best used on non-porous surfaces like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. Porous materials like paper, untreated wood, cardboard, sponges and fabric, should be avoided.
How do you dye plastic with alcohol ink?
0:244:03How to Color Items Using Alcohol Ink - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just keep going until your color stops these are an alcohol ink. So they move the color movesMoreAnd just keep going until your color stops these are an alcohol ink. So they move the color moves with an alcohol base. So as the alcohol. Evaporates. You get less and less color.
Can alcohol inks be used on plastic ornaments?
Simply use the alcohol inks with a can of air to decorate the inside of clear glass or plastic ornaments. Mix multiple colors together to create vibrant decorations this holiday season.
What can I use instead of Yupo paper?
All you have to do is paint a layer of gel medium on top of regular or watercolor paper. The gel medium, once dried will make the paper water-resistant. To make an alternative to yupo paper, paint a layer of gel medium, using a soft brush so you don't risk damaging the paper.Feb 29, 2016
Can you use alcohol ink on acrylic surface?
Alcohol inks can work very well when used with both acrylic inks or acrylic paints in the same piece of artwork.
How long does it take for alcohol ink to dry on plastic?
It normally takes approximately 72 hours for alcohol ink to dry on a surface. It may feel dry to the touch soon after finishing it, but you want your medium to fully cure on the substrate it is on before introducing another medium to seal it with.
Can you color Mod Podge with alcohol ink?
0:321:58Mod Podge Resin - Using Alcohol Inks with Resin - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd place drops in each cup. Now remember the more alcohol ink you use the darker. And more opaqueMoreAnd place drops in each cup. Now remember the more alcohol ink you use the darker. And more opaque the resin will be to ensure that your resin cures properly when adding a color or additive.
Can you color hot glue with alcohol ink?
Alcohol inks in mermaid colors. You can also use alcohol or pigment based markers. Copics, especially more vibrant colors, work on hot glue but tend to look better on smaller projects.Apr 26, 2018
How do you make mica powder with alcohol ink?
12:0615:58Best Homemade Alcohol ink and Mica paint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne part paint. So for this if you want to modify your paint it's going to be one part paint. OneMoreOne part paint. So for this if you want to modify your paint it's going to be one part paint. One part mica powder. Three part flow troll. And one part of varnish.
How do you make homemade alcohol ink?
What you first want to do is put some rubbing alcohol in a glass container. I used a clean glass jar that some dip for chips came in. Pour about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of alcohol into the jar. Use less alcohol for a more concentrated color or more alcohol for a less concentrated color.Sep 19, 2021
How do you use alcohol ink on glass?
1:5215:12Using Alcohol Inks on Glass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can do that. So there you can just hang it up like this or put in a frame you know however youMoreYou can do that. So there you can just hang it up like this or put in a frame you know however you want um keep in mind alcohol inks are not light fast and this is right on top of the glass.
What materials can you use alcohol ink on?
You would want to use it for small projects as it takes more ink.) Sequins. Acrylic or Glass Knobs. Adhesive Pearls. Metal. Glass – see framed glass project >. Mirror.
What is alcohol ink?
Alcohol Inks are highly-pigmented, acid-free, and fast drying inks that work on non-porous surfaces. They mix well and create vivid marble-like effects on many unique mediums. The ways you can use alcohol inks are pretty endless, but we have narrowed it down to 25 ideas for you today.
What is the best applicator for blot?
A felt applicator is great to use when you are using the Blot or Dab Method. The Tim Holtz Applicator is a great size and comes with extra pads so you can keep them with like colors.
What do you need to know about alcohol ink?
Alcohol Inks - What You Need To Know Before You Start. Using alcohol inks can be a fun way to use colors and create backgrounds for stamping or card making. You can also use alcohol inks in painting and to add color to different surfaces such as glass and metals. The brightness of the color means that a small bottle will go a long way.
How to make a pattern with alcohol ink?
Some other methods could include putting alcohol ink on your slick surface and pressing your paper or surface into the ink to create a pattern. Another technique could be putting the alcohol ink in water and putting your surface through the water to create a different look.
What is Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative?
Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative can be used to add luminous highlights and polished effects.
What is Tim Holtz ink?
Adirondack Alcohol Inks by Tim Holtz, also called Ranger ink, is the main supplier of alcohol inks. Many Tim Holtz inks come in packs of three different colors that look good when used together. The three inks pictured below are in the "Ranger Miner's Lantern" kit and has different earth tones to work with.
What is alcohol ink?
Learn more... Alcohol ink is a colorful, acid-free medium that’s a blast to paint with. The ink is capable of creating colorful abstract collages or more intricate paintings. There are a variety of different techniques you can use to manipulate the alcohol ink in imaginative ways.
What paper to use for alcohol ink?
3. Choose a canvas to paint on. Good canvasses include glossy cardstock, shrink film, gloss paper, glass, metal, primed wood, and ceramic. Yupo paper is also a popular canvass to use when painting with alcohol ink.
How to get marbled look on glass?
Use a felt applicator to get a marbled look. If you are painting on tile, stone, or glass, you can achieve a marbled look with alcohol ink. Pour a couple of drops of different colored ink onto a felt applicator, then dab the applicator against your stone, glass, or tile.
How to draw a picture with alcohol ink?
Create an outline for your painting with a pen. You can use alcohol ink to create more intricate pictures. Draw a picture on Yupo paper with a pen or pencil. Then, pour some alcohol ink into a paper or plastic palette. Absorb the ink with a brush, then fill in the drawing.
What is the best ink for painting?
Alcohol ink is a colorful ink which is great for creating vibrant, abstract paintings. In addition to alcohol ink, you’ll need a blending solution or 91 percent isopropyl alcohol, and a canvas like glossy cardstock, gloss paper, glass, or metal.
How to mix different colors of alcohol ink?
Drip different colors of the alcohol ink on a separate piece of scrap paper and use a brush to mix the colors together. See how they bleed and interact with each other. Apply the blending solution to the paint to see how it interacts with the colors. You can also practice mixing the colors together on your palette.
How to get ink out of a canvas?
Spread the ink around with a brush. Place the tip of a brush into the pool of paint and use light strokes to apply it to your canvas. Start to get a feel for the paint and examine how the ink dissipates and bleeds. Create more pools of paint and see how they mix with one another.
Important
Even though you use alcohol inks on canvas with ease, the results would vary vividly given the issues related to porosity. As an artist, you must be aware that these alcohol inks perform way better on non-porous surfaces.
What is Alcohol Ink Actually?
While the standards in the art world are oil paint, acrylic paint, watercolor, or crayons, several artists prefer to work with alcohol inks. They are highly pigmented, fast-drying, alcohol-based inks with beautiful colors.
Type of Canvas to Use for Alcohol Ink
Most artists swear by the use of metal canvas boards when painting with some alcohol ink. However, they can be a hit-and-miss deal in terms of performance. It’s because they are particularly non-porous in nature.
How to Prepare a Canvas for Painting Alcohol Ink
There are several ways to prepare your canvas for using alcohol ink as a source for painting purposes. You can apply a primer with the help of a brush as compared to using aerosols for sealing purposes.
How to Use Alcohol Ink on Canvas
If you want to learn how to use alcohol ink on canvas, there is a right way to do it. Truth be told, as an artist, you can always experiment with the process. However, when you use the right tips, the final artwork will be just as you wish.
How to Seal Alcohol Ink on Canvas
Even though multiple techniques can be used to seal the canvas before alcohol ink is used, it is usually recommended that artists opt for varnish-based aerosol sprays. You can find several brands in the market that provide the very same effect at cost-effective prices.
Some Pro Tips for Using Alcohol Ink on Canvas
When you apply primer on the canvas, the goal is to create an evenly distributed top coat. You also need to take care of coating the sides of the canvas.
1. Palette Knife Abstract
This technique uses a palette knife to push the alcohol ink around the page.
2. Fade Effect - Two Ways
This technique creates a fade with a nice gradual gradient and a wispy effect. These type of fades can be used to create flowers or to create abstract elements in your art piece.
3. A Ring Effect With A Blow Dryer
Using a pipette, place a dot of isopropyl alcohol in the center of the yupo paper. Follow with a dot of blue ink on top. Add a generous amount of isopropyl alcohol on top, swirling the page to help the ink and isopropyl alcohol blend together.
4. Ink Drips
This is an easy technique that uses gravity to create a soft, marbled effect.
5. Create Different Effects With Isopropyl Alcohol
Use isopropyl alcohol and a needle dropper to create texture in the ink.
7. Plastic Wrap Mosaic
This technique creates several beautiful textures at once. The variety makes it a great method to use for a large piece or to cut up and use in a collage.

Alcohol Ink Supplies
- Inks
Alcohol inks come in a wide range of colors and pigments. Sold in .5 oz bottles, a little bit of ink is able to go a long way. Adirondack Alcohol Inks by Tim Holtz, also called Ranger ink, is the main supplier of alcohol inks. Many Tim Holtz inks come in packs of three different colorsthat look go… - Alcohol Blending Solution
The Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solutionis used to dilute and lighten the alcohol inks’ vibrant tones. This solution can be used to both enhance your project as well as clean up when you're done. Using this product will clean alcohol ink off of slick surfaces, hands, and tools.
Different Techniques
- There are many techniques to experiment with when using alcohol inks. Techniques range from directly applying the alcohol ink to your project to using a marker to get a more precise application. If you are just starting with alcohol inks here are a couple of techniques we recommend trying: Use your felt applicator to get a marbled effect on your pattern and create a …
Other Tips
- Use a slick surface for easier clean-up. To get ink both off of this surface and off of your hands, you can use the alcohol blending solution.
- To push some of the ink and color around you can use a straw or an air duster can for more precision.
- If using a stamp on top of the alcohol ink and non-porous surface use Archival Inkor StazOn I…
- Use a slick surface for easier clean-up. To get ink both off of this surface and off of your hands, you can use the alcohol blending solution.
- To push some of the ink and color around you can use a straw or an air duster can for more precision.
- If using a stamp on top of the alcohol ink and non-porous surface use Archival Inkor StazOn Ink.
- If unhappy with the colors on your metal pieces, use the blending solution to clean it off.
Projects Using Alcohol Ink
- Faux Polished Stone Technique Put All your Eggs in One Basket Alcohol Ink Key Hook "Stone" Dipped Mug Dyeing with Alcohol Ink Love Heart Valentine Card DIY Home Décor – Coasters with Alcohol Inks Check out various alcohol ink projects at our Think Crafts Blog.