Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol inks are vibrant, fast-drying inks that can be used to create stunning paintings and art on a variety of non-porous surfaces. They are perfect for adding interest to glazed ceramics, china, or glass. Alcohol inks are not food safe, but there are ways to get around that. For instance, you can apply them to the outside of a bowl. To do this, you can drip ink on plastic wrap and place the bowl in the centre, carefully applying the plastic wrap to the sides without smoothing it out too much. You can also use a pipette to place a dot of isopropyl alcohol in the centre of a piece of paper and then add a dot of ink on top. Then, swirl the page to blend the ink and isopropyl alcohol together.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol inks are perfect for | Non-porous surfaces |
| Alcohol inks are | Vibrant, fast-drying, semi-transparent, and waterproof |
| Alcohol inks are not | Food safe |
| Alcohol inks can withstand | Vigorous hand washing |
| Alcohol inks can be used on | The handle or bottom of a mug, the back of a clear glass plate, or the outside of vases and other home decor accessories |
| Alcohol ink application tools | Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator, paintbrushes, paper towels, cotton pads, palette knife, pipette, blow dryer, hand blower tool, etc. |
| Sealants | Krylon Clear Glaze, Kamar Varnish, Mod Podge, Art Resin, Americana Triple Thick Gloss Glaze, Krylon Preserve It Spray, Gloss Finish, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ink
Alcohol inks are perfect for adding colour to glazed ceramics or china, as they work best on non-porous surfaces. They are also not food safe, so it is important to consider where you will be applying the ink on your bowl. You can apply alcohol ink to the outer rim of a bowl, or the back of a clear plate, and still be able to use it for eating.
When choosing your ink, you may want to consider buying an alcohol ink art kit, which can be tailored for beginners. These kits will provide you with the right type of ink for your project. You can also choose to buy individual colours, or primary colours that you can mix together to create your own hues.
Alcohol inks are known for their vibrant colours, so you will want to choose an ink that will give you the bright, vivid colours that alcohol inks are known for. You can also add a blending solution to your ink to keep the colours bright and vivid, and to slow down the drying time. Isopropyl alcohol is a good option for this, and it is also useful for reactivating dried ink and creating layered effects.
Finally, you will want to consider how you will seal your bowl once you have applied the ink. Sealing is a complex process that can take a lot of time, so it is important to choose an ink that will work with your sealant. Some sealants, like Mod Podge Super Hi-Shine Clear Acrylic Sealer, can alter your design, so it is important to choose a sealant that will not affect your artwork. Some sealants that work well with alcohol inks include Mod Podge dishwasher-safe gloss and Golden Acrylic UVLS Varnish.
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$13.95 $17.95
Preparing the bowl
Alcohol inks work best on non-porous surfaces like glazed ceramics or china. You can use them to decorate the outside of bowls, as long as they won't be used for food.
Before you start, gather your materials. You'll need alcohol inks, a bowl, plastic wrap, a craft mat, paper towels or napkins, and rubbing alcohol. You may also want to wear nitrile gloves to protect your hands and a face mask to avoid inhaling any vapours.
Start by cleaning your bowl with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. This will remove any dust or residue that could interfere with the ink's adhesion. Remove any stickers or labels from the bowl, as well. Place the bowl upside down on your craft mat to ensure it doesn't roll around while you work.
Next, prepare your plastic wrap. Tear off a piece that is larger than your bowl and place it on your craft mat, leaving it crinkled and avoiding smoothing it out. The crinkles will create a unique, wrinkled pattern on your bowl. Carefully drip ink onto the plastic wrap, mixing colours until you achieve your desired combination and coverage. Remember that the ink will dry slightly lighter, so you can be generous with the amount of ink you use.
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Applying the ink
Alcohol inks are vibrant, fast-drying inks that can be used to make stunning paintings on a variety of non-porous surfaces. They are semi-transparent, allowing for layering and combining to create beautiful effects.
To apply alcohol ink to the outer surface of a bowl, one method is to use plastic wrap. First, clean the bowl with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and remove any stickers. Then, tear off a piece of plastic wrap large enough to cover the bowl, and place it on your work surface, ensuring it remains wrinkled. Drip ink onto the plastic wrap, playing with the colours until you achieve your desired combination. Place the bowl in the centre of the plastic wrap and carefully apply the wrap to the sides, maintaining the wrinkled texture. Flip the bowl over and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours.
Once dry, carefully unwrap the bowl. There may be excess ink inside the bowl, which can be wiped away with a napkin and some rubbing alcohol. The ink may also be sticky, but this should dry out after the plastic wrap is removed. The pattern will be unique, with interesting colour mixes.
To seal the bowl, apply a few thin coats of Kamar Varnish. This sets and seals the ink and prevents yellowing. If you wish to hand wash the bowl, you can follow the Kamar Varnish with a spray sealer or mod podge. For a dishwasher-safe bowl, you will need to use a dishwasher-safe mod podge, or a 2-part epoxy resin.
Another method for applying alcohol ink to a bowl is to use a pipette. Place a dot of isopropyl alcohol in the centre of the bowl, followed by a dot of your chosen ink colour. Add more isopropyl alcohol on top and swirl the bowl to blend the ink and isopropyl alcohol. Tilt the bowl to create a circle. Use a blow dryer in a circular motion, starting from the outer edge and moving towards the centre as the ink dries. The blow dryer will create a subtle ring effect.
Alcohol inks can also be applied using a Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator with small pieces of felt, or paintbrushes for more detailed work.
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Sealing the ink
Sealing alcohol ink is necessary if you want to preserve your artwork. Alcohol ink is dye-based, not pigment-based, and will fade with time, especially with exposure to UV rays. Sealing is a complex process that can take as much time as the painting process itself, so it's important to plan ahead and be safe. Many products used for sealing are not healthy to breathe, so it's important to wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated room.
The simplest option for sealing alcohol ink is to use a fixative like Krylon Kamar Varnish, followed by a UV protectant like Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Gloss. The Kamar Varnish provides a layer of protection between the ink and any subsequent coatings, and it is essential to use it before any other product to prevent the ink from melting, morphing, or dissolving. Allow the Kamar Varnish to dry fully before applying the UV protectant.
If you are sealing coasters or other items that need to stand up to heat and moisture, you may want to consider using a resin as an additional method of sealing. Resin provides lasting protection and can be food-safe once fully cured. However, applying resin is not a small undertaking and can be messy and expensive.
For a glossy finish, you can use Krylon Acrylic Crystal Spray or Krylon Triple Thick Clear Coat. If your artwork requires heat protection, you can use Rustoleum Engine Enamel, which is safe up to 500 degrees of heat. Dishwasher Safe Mod-Podge is another option for sealing, but it is not rated as food-safe. Always allow your alcohol ink to dry fully before beginning the sealing process to prevent the ink from interacting with the varnishes.
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Removing excess ink
To remove excess alcohol ink from your bowl, you must first let it dry for at least 24 hours. Once the bowl is dry, carefully peel off the plastic wrap to reveal the pattern created by the ink and plastic wrap. Take your bowl outside or to a well-ventilated area and place it on a protected surface. To get rid of any excess ink, add some rubbing alcohol to a paper towel and wipe the top and inside of the rim. Allow the bowl to dry for at least an hour before touching it. For a fully cured and durable finish, it is best to leave the bowl undisturbed for about 24 hours.
If you are unhappy with your design, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove the alcohol ink and start again. First, ensure you are wearing nitrile gloves to protect your skin from staining. Then, apply some rubbing alcohol to a paper towel and gently rub it over the surface of the bowl to remove the ink.
If you are removing ink from ink cartridges, the process is slightly different. Start by putting on a pair of latex, rubber, or vinyl gloves to protect your hands from stains. Then, take a paper towel and fold it into fourths. Pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol onto the paper towel and gently rub it along the back and underside of the cartridges to remove any ink build-up. You can also use rubbing alcohol for this purpose, but be aware that it may leave a residue.
For fabric items, the process for removing alcohol ink varies slightly. It is best to treat the stain while it is still wet, as fresh ink stains are easier to remove. Blot the stain gently to remove any excess ink, being careful not to rub it into the fibres. You can then apply a solvent such as rubbing alcohol, hair spray, or hand sanitizer to dilute the stain and make it easier to remove during the wash. Always test the stained garment for colourfastness first, as these solvents can also attack fabric dyes and cause discolouration.
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Frequently asked questions
One popular method is to use plastic wrap. First, clean the bowl with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. Cover your workspace with a craft mat and place a piece of plastic wrap on top, ensuring it is large enough to cover the bowl. Drip ink onto the plastic wrap, combining colours until you are happy with the result. Place the bowl in the centre and apply the plastic wrap to the sides, keeping the wrinkled pattern intact. Leave to dry for at least one day, then carefully unwrap the bowl.
You can create a design by using a pipette to place a dot of isopropyl alcohol in the centre of the bowl, followed by a dot of ink on top. Add more isopropyl alcohol and swirl the bowl to help the ink blend. You can also use a blow dryer to create a subtle ring effect.
There are various sealants you can use to seal alcohol ink, including Kamar Varnish, Krylon Clear Glaze, and Mod Podge. If you want to be able to wash your bowl, you will need to use a dishwasher-safe sealant.
