Alcohol Ink

What is alcohol ink?

Alcohol ink is a type of pigment-based ink that is specially formulated for use on non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic. It is known for its vibrant colours and ability to blend easily, making it a popular choice among artists and crafters. Alcohol ink is very fluid and dries transparent. It is precisely these properties that make it such a special ink. 

Because it is so liquid, the ink is perfect for creating beautiful effects. A common substrate is the special alcohol ink yupo paper. Use this paper to create beautiful colour shades with just a few simple techniques. Combine different colours, blend, splash and blow the ink across the paper for your own 'pouring art'. Alcohol ink is perfect for beautiful ink backgrounds, for example for a painting, a card or a page in your journal or scrapbook.

Ranger Alcohol Ink

Once you start looking for alcohol ink for crafting, you will come across several brands. Ranger is one of the top brands in this field. The popular Ranger Alcohol Ink range, developed by Tim Holtz, consists of a large variety of colours with which you can create a beautiful, polished marble effect. The alcohol ink comes in handy bottles including a precision tip with a capacity of 14 ml or 60 ml. 

The range also includes the necessary materials and tools, including Alcohol Ink cardstock, yupo paper and Alcohol Ink foil in various colours and sizes. In addition, there are various brushes and the Alcohol Ink applicator to apply the ink, the blower and the splatter brush for artistic effects and the alcohol blending solution and blending pen to mix, blend and dilute the ink or lighten it a shade. Store all of your ink bottles nicely together in the Alcohol Ink Storage Tin. 

Alcohol ink techniques

Have you already thought about what you are going to make? Alcohol ink is suitable for all kinds of projects. Give candles a beautiful design, decorate tea-light holders or coasters and even give charms an artistic look. For the best results, use a smooth surface, such as glossy paper, shrink plastic, glass, ceramics and metal. As for paper, alcohol ink cardstock and yupo paper are good choices. 

There are a variety of techniques that can be used when stamping with alcohol ink. Blend different colours using the alcohol blending solution and applicator, or by blowing (with or without a blower), tilting your paper and splashing with a brush. Mix different colours of alcohol ink with the blending solution to create a new colour or use the blending solution to lighten a dark colour. Another technique that can be used with alcohol ink is marbling. This involves creating a swirl pattern on a surface by dripping drops of ink onto a liquid medium and then transferring the design onto a surface. This can be done by dipping the surface into the ink mixture or by using a tool to transfer the design.

Want to continue working on your craft project at a later date? That's possible too! With a bit of blending solution, you can activate the dried alcohol ink to continue mixing and blending.

In addition to the regular, non-opaque ink, you can also add one of the Alcohol Ink Mixatives to your project. You only need a small amount of these for a nice metallic finish or some white highlights. If you prefer to add a pearlescent colour effect, the Alcohol Pearls are ideal. The nice thing is that you can work in layers to create more and more depth in your craft project. In short, you can have lots of fun with alcohol ink and make the most beautiful creations! 

Buy alcohol ink

Feel like experimenting with alcohol ink? Vaessen Creative offers all Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink colours with matching blending tools and materials. We also sell the full Tim Holtz Distress line, such as Distress Ink, Distress Oxide, paints, stains, sprays, storage tins and the embossing powder Embossing Glaze.