The Best Alcohol Inks for Painting on Waterproof Surfaces
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Loading... - Raha Karim
- 04 Aug 2022
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Highly pigmented alcohol ink is an incredibly versatile painting medium. Most products can be used on virtually any nonporous surface, from resin to Yupo paper (a synthetic waterproof paper). These inks can be used straight from the bottle or diluted with alcohol to create lighter tones; some brands offer blending solutions, but simple isopropyl alcohol will also work. Although alcohol inks are forgiving—you can often wipe mistakes away with alcohol—they can stain clothing and skin, so you’ll want to make sure your setup is prepared to withstand drips and spills. Our picks below will help you decide which brand is best for your needs.
1. Rupert, Gibbon & Spider Jacquard Color Alcohol Ink
These inks cover all bases. Highly pigmented, fast drying, and cost effective, they will serve you well no matter the project—use them on glass, ceramic, resin, Yupo paper, and more. These are the most vibrant inks of our picks. They are on the thicker side, but still easy to squeeze from the bottle, and they blend well, whether mixed with a blending solution or inks from other brands. This is a great basic set of nine colors in 0.5-ounce bottles, although Rupert, Gibbon & Spider’s line offers a total of 27 colors, including metallic tones.
2. Ranger Alcohol Ink
Ranger is another artist-favored brand. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting to work with alcohol ink, these inks are easy to use. Although slightly thinner and more delicate than Rupert, Gibbon & Spider’s product, they dilute nicely with extenders and flow very well whether you’re working with resin, polymer clay, Yupo paper, or even metal. Their fluid consistency also allows you to have great control over blending and layering. Ranger stands out for its color offerings: inks are available in a generally earth-toned palette of nearly 70 colors, including unique ones such as rose gold and a teakwood shade that you can use to create faux wood finishes. They are sold in sets of three complementary colors, or you can buy a 24-bottle combo set.
3. T-Rex Alcohol Ink Set
Most alcohol ink sets are sold in small volumes, with typically less than 15 milliliters of ink per bottle. While compact bottles can last a while, especially with extenders, high-volume ink users should consider T-Rex’s product, which comes in 20-milliliter bottles. This set includes 11 colors plus one clear blender, making it an especially economical pick. While T-Rex doesn’t have the same brand name recognition or reputation as Rupert, Gibbon & Spider and Ranger, its inks are excellent. They carry rich, vibrant colors and perform well with resin and papers. Read More...
