alcohol inks

[bjames]

I am familiar with the recommended methods of using alcohol inks, such as placing some drops of the ink on felt, and then applying them with a dabber. This method does not appeal to my artistic sense. Are there any other ways of using these inks? I have tried the inks with a brush with unsuccessful results as the ink dries too quickly.

[Inky Whiskers]

I don't recommend using alcohol inks with your rubber stamps as the alcohol will dry out the rubber causing it to crack & ruining your image. That said, you could try using non rubber items like sponges or fun foam to make visual textures & images.

If you take a fun foam block or even a piece of thick (6mm) fun foam & heat the surface with a heat tool you can press the softened area into something firm & textured like a basket, buttons, ceramic tile or after coating with pigment ink (I recommend the Versamark Watermark ink as it's clear) a rubber stamp creating your own custom image. When you're done with it (or if you don't like how it came out) wash the ink off, dry it, then heat it up again to smooth out the pattern & make another one. The alcohol ink might damage the foam if left on too long, but if you use the 6mm sheets cut into pieces, it's cheap enough to not be a big deal if you only use each piece for one project then throw it away.

This is another of those wonderful experiment moments! Try different things (in small pieces just in case the ink eats the material) just to see what happens. At worst, you spend some time playing. At best, you may discover something wonderful and new! Please share with the rest of us what you discover. We all love learning new things related to stamping. :D

[bjames]

Thank you for your response, Inky Whispers. I certainly will play with these inks, although at first, I was disappointed in them. And, if I discover any interesting results, I certainly will post them.

[Inky Whiskers]

You are most welcome!

[Audreyrose]

I have used these inks on tile. I put a couple of drops ont he felt as you mentioned then also added a metallic marker and spread it on the tile. Allow the tile to dry then stamp an image with permanent ink and it is really a custom item. I have also put a spring clothes pin on the back of the tile and it can be used as a note holder. I have made custom tiles for my home with these and everyone loves them as they are unique and no one has anythinglike them. Also two are never the same!
Have fun!!

[teachpastel]

I use alcohol inks after I gesso a metal object such as a metal paint can, tin, or even a wood clip board. Depending on the surface you may need to rough it up a bit with a little sand paper. You get really great bright colors with the alcohol sprays or re inkers. I then use a stazon ink to stamp on top with my designs.

[bjames]

Thank all who answered my question about alcohol inks. Another query concerning these inks/ blending solution. Is there a substitute for the "blending solution" that is sold for use with alcohol inks? Instead of purchasing the blending solution, can you use plain alcohol? I've read some things about using Future Floor finish with alcohol inks. Does anyone have the specifics for use of this product with alcohol inks? Can it also be used to dilute the inks?

[Vincentia]

I was intrigued by the alcohol inks but unsure how to use them. I jumped at a chance to take a class from Tim Holtz -- I took a day off and drove 2 hours but it was worth it! He taught us several different techniques Here is where you can look at some of the tags we made:

http://www.adobeshowcase.com/ViewFlashMedia.aspx?AID=27155&AT=3

If any of them look appealing, email me, send me private message or reply and describe it and I'll tell ya what process was used to make it! After the class, I made a point of collecting all the colors. I already had the non-stick craft sheet, a heat-it tool and blending solution. Other things he used that I bought during the class was a small rubber brayer and the inkpad (I will have to pull it out to tell you which it was!) that has the ink that reacts with the alcohol inks.

He did state that rubbing alcohol would not move and blend the ink like the blending solution. Another thing he said that I didn't hear anywhere else is NOT to put the blending solution in a sprayer. He said that it shouldn't be inhaled -- a sprayer would turn it into airborne particles that shouldn't be breathed.

[Inky Whiskers]

He did state that rubbing alcohol would not move and blend the ink like the blending solution. Another thing he said that I didn't hear anywhere else is NOT to put the blending solution in a sprayer. He said that it shouldn't be inhaled -- a sprayer would turn it into airborne particles that shouldn't be breathed.


This is good safety info! Thanks for sharing it. :D

[bjames]

I was intrigued by the alcohol inks but unsure how to use them. I jumped at a chance to take a class from Tim Holtz -- I took a day off and drove 2 hours but it was worth it! He taught us several different techniques Here is where you can look at some of the tags we made:

http://www.adobeshowcase.com/ViewFlashMedia.aspx?AID=27155&AT=3

If any of them look appealing, email me, send me private message or reply and describe it and I'll tell ya what process was used to make it! After the class, I made a point of collecting all the colors. I already had the non-stick craft sheet, a heat-it tool and blending solution. Other things he used that I bought during the class was a small rubber brayer and the inkpad (I will have to pull it out to tell you which it was!) that has the ink that reacts with the alcohol inks.

He did state that rubbing alcohol would not move and blend the ink like the blending solution. Another thing he said that I didn't hear anywhere else is NOT to put the blending solution in a sprayer. He said that it shouldn't be inhaled -- a sprayer would turn it into airborne particles that shouldn't be breathed.
Vincentia,
I saw the tags you make with Tim Holtz, and I would like to take advantage of your offer. I would appreciate knowing how you made tag #9- the resist on glass. Thank you.
bjames
bj10gk@hotmail.com

[Nancy]

Forgive me if these are mentioned on the tag post!

Alcohol inks work great on acetate sheets.
1.Do your "normal polished stone" type coloring on an acetate sheet.
2. stamp on acetate (use StazOn) then flip over when dry and drop colors of alcohol ink randomly - or in specific areas of color if you wish. Sprinkle some blending solution and lightly use a brayer to move color around. Don't do it too much or you'll muddy the colors.
3. using the craft sheet (if you've ever taken a class from Tim Holtz you know "it's all about the craft sheet") drop pools of color - then place glossy cardstock face down into color, smoosh around a bit and pick up quick!
4. Brayer rainbow ink on glossy cardstock. Then add drops of alcohol ink & blending solution.
5. Color your brads, eyelets or any metal with any color you want.
6. Use them on the aluminum flashing tape - very cool.

I buy the 25 cent felt @ the craft store to use for applying the inks.

hope this helps a bit!:wave:

[Bast]

Vincentia:

I would also love to know how you made the tags...I especially loved the swiped bird and monoprint mushroom tags. Would you be willing to share the techniques used. I also seem to be having problems with the alcohol inks and have been playing with them for years.

Thanx
Kim

[hewitt_hulse]

Ranger Inks has published a new book, "Ink Essentials". Although they also recommend using the dabber (of course, they make them!<g>) you can get around it using sponges and cellophane wrap. Take a look at the book and see if something helps! One technique is a lot like Drumroll, by Technique Junkies.

HTH,
hewitt

[Inky Whiskers]

I took an old custom stamp with a handle (it looks just the the stamps used by many stamp companies for stamping themed images) that I no longer needed the info for and after peeling the rubber die and mounting foam off, I attached a peice of hook tape. VOILA! My very own recycled alcohol ink applicator. I too buy the cheap craft felt that I cut up for disposible pads. So while yes it's nifty to have the one that Tim uses, you don't have to pay the namebrand price when you make your own & it works just as well. :D

[alsmouse]

Inky, I think I beat you on cheap. I hit dollar tree, picked up a 2 pack of UGLY stamps, ripped off the old rubber, hit big lots & bought a large pack of 2" hook tape, cut it to fit the stamp bases & used the sticky on the back of the hook tape to attach it. stopped at J's & bought 1/4 yd of 60" wide felt. tumbled it in the dryer to lose the loose fuzzies & cut the piece down to fit the blocks. Grand total for an almost endless supply of applicaters & the handles...(drum roll, please, crash of cymals) $4.~C8>

[Inky Whiskers]

Grand total for an almost endless supply of applicaters & the handles...(drum roll, please, crash of cymals) $4.~C8>

Yep! You out scrounged me on that one for sure. Good job!!! :applause:

[Spideycindy]

Not knowing any better I got the alchol inks and blending solution and also have a judikins sprayer filled with alchol...just the rubbing alcohol kind...
I recently did my Christmas ATC's on glossy paper. I hit the paper first with the spray alcohol to moisten the paper a bit then put some ink on felt and dabbed it on paper and used a little of the blending solution and dabbed and sprayed both and got happy results with the playing. I also reused a felt that had other inks dried on it and had a little of it pick up on the paper a happy result...I went for subtle colors and found success by design for what I wanted to do.
A little bit of the alcohol overspray caused some interesting textures on the ink. When the atcs come out for the Dec ATC swap that is what I did on the spideycindy atc's for my base color.

[alsmouse]

I love my alcohol inks. However I'm still working on how to get that copper green patina using them, so if anyone has a "recipe" please let me know. I'm looking for that lovely shade of old copper rain gutter green. ~C8>

[j3annin3]

perhaps alsmouse you could write to Ranger? I am still working at mixing them to get a more subtle shade than straight out of the bottle.

[piecesandpom]

Ah, ha - thank you! I now understand why I like my 'leftovers' better than my original smash of alcohol inks. If anyone can answer the blending question that would be a big help. I get too much blender solution and it takes away too much of the color, not enough and it's still too 'there.' (I blame the folks at LastImpPan since they had a 'bargain' bin and had many of the inks and tools not in the best shape for a price I could afford that day!:applause: )

I currently have three backgrounds waiting for worthy stamps/stamping or an appropriate celebration/note . I like them so much I haven't dared touch them for fear I'll lose what I really like about them.:lol:

[alsmouse]

I currently have three backgrounds waiting for worthy stamps/stamping or an appropriate celebration/note . I like them so much I haven't dared touch them for fear I'll lose what I really like about them.:lol:
I have that problem too. I finally figured out the perfect solution. Head to your fav copy center & make lots of color copies, 4 to a page, on cardstock. I have the World's Best Copy Center Gal (WBCCG) to help me and she is able to make it copy without really ugly seams, odd shading & just about perfect on the color match. I then have lots of copies to play with & keep the original for more copies. Unless you really stare at it you can't tell it's a copy. I even fooled the owner of my LSS on a challange. She thought it was the original. The WBCCG has been able to renovate old magazines, photos, enlarge & shrink, add & subtract color from projects. She is a GEM. She's the one who came up with the Halloween hand looking so darn real. Plus it's actually cheap if you need lots of a special finish. Check it out. ~C8>

[stampwilly]

You can use 94% alcohol to blend the alcohol inks. You can get it at CVS. It works very well. I put it in a spritz bottle and spritz it on alcohol inks that I have applied to the paper or other surface.

Stampwilly