
Alcohol inks are a vibrant and versatile medium composed of dye or pigments and a quick-evaporating alcohol base. They are known for their rapid drying time, usually within seconds to a minute, and their ability to adhere to non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic. The colour options available for alcohol inks vary across brands, with some brands offering unique shades and colours. The choice of colours in alcohol inks is determined by their specific pigment composition, which influences the spectrum of colours that can be achieved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of colours | Over 54 |
| Primary colours | Red, blue, and yellow |
| Secondary colours | Green, orange, and purple |
| Tertiary colours | 6 |
| Brands | Copic, Ranger Tim Holtz, Jacquard Products, TREX Alcohol Inks, Brea Reese |
| T-Rex Alcohol Ink Starter Pack colours | Dragonfruit Pink, Bellini Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Glacier Blue, Tidal Teal, Shiraz Red |
| Ranger Tim Holtz colours | Pearl shimmer |
| Exciter Pack colours | Black, white, and rich gold |
| Individual colours | Raspberry, Stream, and sunset orange |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol ink brands: Copic, Ranger Tim Holtz, Jacquard Products, T-Rex, and Brea Reese
- Primary colours: red, blue, and yellow
- Ranger Ink colours: over 54, including lights, brights, and earth tones
- T-Rex colours: Dragonfruit Pink, Bellini Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Glacier Blue, and Tidal Teal
- Surfaces: glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather, resin, polymer clay, and more

Alcohol ink brands: Copic, Ranger Tim Holtz, Jacquard Products, T-Rex, and Brea Reese
Alcohol inks are a fun and simple way to create art. They can be used to paint on a variety of surfaces, from glossy paper to metal, glass, and plastic. There are many brands of alcohol ink available, each with its own unique characteristics and colour options. Here is an overview of some popular alcohol ink brands:
Copic
Copic is a well-known brand of alcohol ink that offers a wide range of colours. Their inks are dye-based and do not contain any metallic shades. Copic alcohol ink is highly flammable and should be kept away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. It is important to work in a well-ventilated area when using Copic inks, as the alcohol can evaporate and cause discomfort if inhaled. Copic also provides tutorials and workshops for creating art with their inks, making them a great choice for beginners.
Ranger Tim Holtz
Ranger Tim Holtz alcohol inks are acid-free and fast-drying. They are designed to create a colourful, polished stone effect on various surfaces, including glossy paper, metal, glass, and plastic. The bottles feature precision tips, allowing for better control over the amount of ink dispensed. Ranger Tim Holtz inks are available in a range of exciting colour palettes, and the brand also offers an alcohol blending solution for lightening colours and cleaning surfaces.
Jacquard Products
Jacquard Products offers a line of alcohol inks under the name Piñata Colors. These inks are highly saturated and vibrant, with a thicker consistency that results in a glossy finish when dry. The brand is particularly known for its metallic colours, which are made with real metal pigments and are great for creating unique, pearlescent inks by mixing with other colours. The Piñata Color Overtones Exciter Pack is a great option for beginners, as it includes a variety of colours, including black, white, and gold.
T-Rex
T-Rex alcohol inks are highly saturated and water-resistant. They are Japanese dye-based inks that clean up easily with alcohol and can be used on any non-porous surface. T-Rex inks are available in a range of colour varieties and are moderately priced, making them a popular choice for artists.
Brea Reese
Brea Reese alcohol inks are known for their high pigmentation and vibrant colours. Their inks are packaged in 20ml bottles, similar to T-Rex, and are available individually or in packs of three. While their inks are of good quality, some users have noted issues with the packaging, specifically the screw-on caps, which can be messy. However, it appears that the brand may have addressed this issue with a new bottle design.
Each of these brands offers a unique range of alcohol inks, providing artists with a variety of options to choose from based on their specific needs and preferences. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, these inks can be a great way to explore and create beautiful art.
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Primary colours: red, blue, and yellow
When it comes to art, the three primary colours are red, blue, and yellow. These colours are fundamental hues that cannot be created by mixing other colours. Each primary colour has a specific wavelength range: red is around 620-750 nm, blue is 450-495 nm, and yellow is 570-590 nm. The purity of these colours is crucial as it determines the vibrancy of the secondary and tertiary colours that can be created by mixing them. For example, equal parts of primary colours typically yield secondary colours like green, orange, and purple. However, variations in the ratio of colours mixed can lead to a wide range of hues.
In the world of art and painting, red, yellow, and blue are the primary colours. These colours are the foundation of art and allow artists to create a broad spectrum of shades. Artists can create various artistic effects with alcohol inks, from thin and fluid to slightly more viscous textures. The ratio of dye to alcohol in the ink affects its intensity and fluidity. Higher-quality inks with a higher dye-to-alcohol ratio result in richer, more vibrant colours.
However, it's important to note that the concept of primary colours is not limited to just these three hues. The choice of primary colours depends on the colour system being used. In the field of physics and light, the primary colours are red, green, and blue, which are known as the additive primaries. This system, also known as the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour system, is commonly used in computer screens and additive colour mixing.
On the other hand, in subtractive colour systems, such as those used in painting and inks, the primary colours are cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY). This system involves mixing paint pigments and inks that absorb or reflect light differently. By using these three primary colours in subtractive colour mixing, artists can create a wide range of colours, although they may struggle to produce highly saturated or vivid colours.
While red, yellow, and blue are commonly associated with primary colours in art, they are not considered the purest or most effective primary colours. In fact, cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY) provide a larger gamut of colours and are often used in printed images and colour wheels. The red-yellow-blue colour system is a simplified version of the cyan-magenta-yellow system, as cyan is close to blue, and magenta is near red.
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Ranger Ink colours: over 54, including lights, brights, and earth tones
There are a variety of alcohol ink brands available, each offering its own unique range of colours and effects. One popular brand is Ranger Ink, which offers a wide range of colours to choose from.
Ranger Ink's Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink range boasts over 54 colours, including "lights", "brights", and "earth tones". This diverse palette provides artists with a comprehensive selection of shades to create stunning artwork. The inks are specially formulated to dry quickly and create a polished stone effect. They are also acid-free, ensuring the longevity of your creations.
The colours in the Ranger Ink collection are designed to be vibrant and eye-catching, especially when used on non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper, dominoes, metal, shrink plastic, glass, and other slick surfaces. These inks can be lightened using an alcohol blending solution, allowing for even more nuanced shading and colour mixing. The precision tips on the 0.5 fl. oz bottles allow for controlled application, making it easy to create intricate designs.
One notable feature of Ranger Ink's colours is their versatility. The inks can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, porcelain, tiles, and plastic. Artists can experiment with different techniques, such as using hairdryers or canned air to move the inks and create unique patterns and marble effects. The inks can also be used to add colour to metal items, such as jewellery, giving crafters and artists even more creative possibilities.
The Ranger Ink colours are a great choice for those seeking a wide range of shades and effects. With over 54 colours to choose from, artists can mix and match, create custom colours, and bring their artistic visions to life. The inks' versatility, vibrancy, and ease of use make them a popular choice for both beginners and experienced artists alike. Whether you're looking to create colourful backgrounds, intricate designs, or simply add a touch of colour to your projects, Ranger Ink's extensive colour palette has something for everyone.
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T-Rex colours: Dragonfruit Pink, Bellini Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Glacier Blue, and Tidal Teal
T-Rex Colours offers a vibrant range of alcohol inks, including Dragonfruit Pink, Bellini Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Glacier Blue, and Tidal Teal. These colours can be used to create stunning art and unique effects on various surfaces.
Dragonfruit Pink is inspired by the vibrant hue of dragon fruits, which range from light yellow-skinned varieties to red-skinned cultivars. This colour brings a touch of exotic charm to any creation. Similarly, Bellini Orange evokes the refreshing hue of its namesake, a delightful shade that energises and captivates.
Sunshine Yellow radiates warmth and positivity, making it perfect for brightening any artwork or craft project. This cheerful shade can be combined with a variety of colours, from classic white to more adventurous tones like blue or green, creating a modern and exotic atmosphere.
Glacier Blue captures the captivating blue hue of glacial ice, formed when snow falls on a glacier, becomes compressed, and enlarges the ice crystals. This enlargement is responsible for the distinctive blue colour, a result of the absorption of light at the red end of the visible spectrum.
Tidal Teal is a captivating colour that leans towards a stronger teal hue. While its online appearance may vary, this shade adds a unique touch to any creation, evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue. T-Rex Colours' alcohol inks offer a diverse palette for artists and enthusiasts to explore their creativity.
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Surfaces: glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather, resin, polymer clay, and more
Alcohol inks can be used on a variety of surfaces, including glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather, resin, polymer clay, and more. These inks are ideal for crafting and creating art on a range of materials. They are known for their vibrant colours and ability to interact and blend in fascinating ways.
When it comes to glass, alcohol inks create a translucent wash of colour, allowing the light to shine through while adding a tint. They can be used to decorate glass surfaces or create faux glass effects on other materials, such as polymer clay. Alcohol inks are also suitable for colouring translucent polymer clay, adding a subtle or striking effect without obscuring the details, texture, and shading of your project.
For metal surfaces, alcohol inks can be used to add colour and create unique designs. They are often used to colour metal findings and wire, change the colour of beads, or decorate metal objects. Alcohol inks are also suitable for use on glossy surfaces, such as shrink plastic, providing a polished and colourful finish.
Plastic is a more challenging surface to dye, requiring specific types of dye that match the chemistry of the plastic. Alcohol inks, in this case, Basic Dyes, are one of the few types of dyes that can effectively stain plastic. They can be used on plastic surfaces to create abstract designs or fill markers for writing and drawing.
Ceramic tiles are commonly used as a work surface for alcohol ink projects due to their non-porous nature and ease of cleanup. Alcohol inks can also be applied to ceramic surfaces to create colourful designs. Similarly, stone surfaces can be decorated with alcohol inks to create a polished stone effect or add a colourful finish.
Leather is another surface that can be coloured and designed using alcohol inks. The inks will stain the leather, creating a permanent and vibrant design. Resin is also commonly used with alcohol inks, either as a surface to decorate or as a medium to mix with the inks to create unique effects.
Polymer clay is a versatile material that can be used with alcohol inks in a variety of ways. The inks can be applied to the surface of baked or unbaked clay or mixed directly into the clay before baking. This allows for a range of effects, from subtle tinting to more intense colours, depending on the technique used.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of colors of alcohol ink available, with brands like Copic, Ranger Tim Holtz, Jacquard Products, and T-Rex offering multiple options. While the exact number of colors varies by brand, Ranger Ink by Tim Holtz offers over 54 colors, including lights, brights, and earth tones.
The primary colors of alcohol ink typically include red, blue, and yellow. These fundamental hues are essential for creating a broad spectrum of shades through mixing and blending.
T-Rex alcohol inks offer a range of unique and vibrant colors, such as Dragonfruit Pink, Bellini Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Glacier Blue, and Tidal Teal.
Yes, metallics and special colors are available in alcohol inks. Jacquard Products offers a range called "Piñata Colors," which includes black, white, and rich gold. Tim Holtz also offers a range of colors called "Pearl Shimmer."
Yes, it is possible to mix and create custom colors of alcohol ink. You can add drops of different ink colors to empty markers or dropper bottles to create unique blends and shades.











































