Mason Delacroix
Alcohol ink tile art is a fun and simple craft that can be used to create beautiful homemade gifts. Alcohol ink is meant to be used on non-porous surfaces such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass. Ceramic tiles are a great medium for alcohol ink as they are compact, affordable, and easy to wipe clean. To create alcohol ink tile art, cover your work area with newspaper, wax paper, or an old cloth, as alcohol ink stains easily. Then, spread alcohol generously onto the tile and begin dropping your chosen colours onto the tile, allowing them to spread and blend. Once the ink is dry, you can seal your tile with a water-based brush-on sealer or a varnish to protect your artwork. Finally, you can frame your tiles using a square shadow box frame or glue them into a wooden frame.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Alcohol ink, tiles, sealer, brush, hair dryer, straw, wooden frame, glue, felt, cork |
| Preparation | Cover the work area with newspaper or wax paper |
| Step 1 | Spread alcohol generously onto the tile |
| Step 2 | Drop alcohol inks onto the tile, using multiple colours |
| Step 3 | Wait for the inks to move and mix with the alcohol |
| Step 4 | If necessary, add more ink or blow gently on the surface to help spread the inks |
| Step 5 | Allow the tile to dry |
| Step 6 | Paint the sides of the tile with black paint |
| Step 7 | Apply glue to the back of the tile |
| Step 8 | Attach felt or cork to the back of the tile to create a coaster |
| Step 9 | Spray the sealer onto the top side of the tile and allow to dry |
| Step 10 | Frame the tile using a wooden frame and glue |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right tiles
Alcohol ink is meant to be used on non-porous surfaces such as plastic, metal, ceramic or glass. Ceramic tiles are a great medium for alcohol ink as they are compact, affordable, and easy to clean. You can find these at your local hardware store or on Amazon.
Before you begin, make sure you cover your work area with newspapers and put on old clothes as alcohol inks will stain your hands and clothes. They are also toxic, so it is recommended to wear disposable gloves.
When choosing tiles, opt for square 4"x4" white ceramic tiles. These tiles provide a blank canvas for your alcohol ink creations. You can also experiment with different-sized tiles to create a unique look.
If you plan to use your tiles as coasters, consider choosing tiles with a smooth, flat surface. This will ensure that your coasters are stable and functional. You can also add a square of black felt or cork sheeting to the back of each tile to protect your furniture.
Additionally, if you want to frame your tiles, look for tiles that are slightly smaller than your chosen frame. This will allow you to easily adhere the tile to the frame using glue or other adhesive methods. You can find open-backed trivet frames or wooden frames at craft stores or online.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way when it comes to choosing tiles for your alcohol ink project. Feel free to experiment with different tiles and techniques to create unique and personalised pieces of art.
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Applying alcohol ink
Alcohol ink is meant to be used on non-porous surfaces such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass. Ceramic tiles are a great medium for alcohol ink as they are compact, cheap, and easy to wipe clean. Before you begin, cover your work area with newspapers, wax paper, or something similar, as alcohol inks will stain your hands and clothes. They are also toxic, so it is recommended to wear disposable gloves.
To begin, pour some rubbing alcohol into a small jar, and use a paintbrush to dab the alcohol all over the shiny surface of the ceramic tile. You want a nice, thick layer of alcohol that is just sort of "floating" on the surface of the tile. Having a lot of rubbing alcohol on the surface will cause the inks to blend well.
Next, drop some alcohol inks onto the alcohol-soaked tile. Use multiple colors in the order that you plan to use them. The ink will begin to spread right away, so you will want the colors to remain in the section you had planned for them. You can also try spotting on rubbing alcohol alone to create white spots, as the colored ink will run away from the alcohol.
After the inks have spread a bit, you may see some un-inked white spots. To fix this, continue adding tiny drops of color to those areas until the entire tile is covered. You can also help spread the inks by blowing gently on the surface, using gravity by tilting the tile, or using a low-temperature hair dryer.
Once the alcohol evaporates and the inks dry, you can add extra designs using the back of your paintbrush or a black Sharpie marker. You can also try "pulling" the inks from a circle you made by running the back of your paintbrush through it.
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Sealing the tiles
Sealing alcohol ink tiles is crucial to prevent the ink from flaking off and fading over time. Alcohol ink is dye-based and non-lightfast, meaning it will slowly break down and fade due to evaporation, ultraviolet light, and other factors. Here is a detailed guide on sealing alcohol ink tiles:
Drying and Curing:
Before sealing, ensure your alcohol ink tile is completely dry and cured. Alcohol ink dries quickly and may feel dry to the touch soon after application, but it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours for the ink to fully cure. Patience is essential to ensure your hard work is not ruined.
Choosing a Sealer:
The choice of sealer depends on the intended use of the tile. If it will be framed or displayed on an easel as an art piece, a brush-on, water-based sealer is recommended. Products like "Liquitex Gloss Varnish" or "Ranger Gloss Multi-Medium" can be used. Avoid non-water-based varnishes as they may act as solvents and damage your artwork.
If the tile will be used functionally, such as for coasters, a more durable sealer is needed. Krylon Kamar Varnish is a popular choice and is available in spray form. After applying the varnish, you can add additional protective coatings like a UV protectant and a clear gloss finish.
Another option for a durable seal is to use a resin, such as "ICE" by Adirondack or "EnviroTex Lite." Resin provides a clear, shiny, and hard finish but is a messy process that requires precise mixing and a long curing time of about 24 hours.
Application Tips:
When applying a brush-on sealer, use a flat stick to wipe away any drips from the sides of the tile. For spray sealers, protect your artwork from dust while it dries. Always read the product information to ensure the sealer is suitable for your specific project.
Additional Considerations:
Keep in mind that any clear protective coating will eventually yellow over time. To slow down the fading process, sealing is essential. Additionally, test your sealant on a small area first to ensure it does not reactivate the ink or cause any adverse effects.
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Attaching the tiles to the frame
Once you have created your alcohol ink tiles, you can attach them to a frame to display your artwork. Here are the steps and suggestions for attaching the tiles to the frame:
Selecting the Frame
Choose a suitable frame for your tiles. You can opt for open-backed trivet frames or wooden frames with glass. If you want to change out the artwork, consider using frames with screen door turns at the back.
Preparing the Tile
Before attaching the tile to the frame, ensure that your artwork is sealed to prevent flaking. Determine the intended use of the tile to choose the appropriate sealer. If it will be framed or displayed on an easel, use a water-based brush-on sealer like Liquitex Gloss Varnish or Ranger Gloss Multi-Medium. After sealing, you can add a finish such as matte or gloss.
Attaching the Tile
Now, you are ready to attach the tile to the frame. You can use adhesives such as E-6000 glue, Mod Podge glue, or Gorilla Glue to secure the tile to the frame. Apply a small amount of glue to avoid any mess or ruining the tile and frame.
Adding a Backing
To finish your piece, consider adding a backing to your tile. You can use black felt, cork sheeting, or stick-on cork backing to prevent scratching on surfaces. Cut the backing material to fit the tile and attach it with glue, ensuring it is thoroughly adhered.
Displaying Your Artwork
Once your tile is attached to the frame and the backing is secure, you can display your artwork. You can place it on a mini easel, hang it on a wall, or use it as a functional coaster. Enjoy your beautiful creation!
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Finishing touches
Alcohol ink tiles can be used as coasters by adding a square of black felt or cork sheeting to the back. You can also display your alcohol ink tiles on a mini easel or glue them into a wooden frame.
If you are using a frame, you can use E-6000 glue or Gorilla Glue to adhere the tile to the frame. Alternatively, you can use open-backed trivet frames to easily change out the tiles without buying multiple frames.
Before framing, you can seal the tiles with a brush-on, water-based sealer like Liquitex Gloss Varnish or Ranger Gloss Multi-Medium. Spray-on sealers like Krylon Kamar Varnish can also be used, but it is important to note that non-water-based varnishes will destroy your work. After sealing, you can further protect the tile and add shine by spraying several light coats of Krylon Triple-thick Crystal Clear Glaze.
To finish off the edges of the tiles, paint the edges with black paint and let them dry.
Resin coatings such as GlassCast 3 resin can also be applied to enhance the artwork before framing. However, this process can be messy and requires precise mixing and 24 hours of curing and drying time.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need alcohol ink, which can be purchased at your local craft store, a local hardware store, or online. You will also need tiles, which can be purchased at a local hardware store or online. Other materials include wax paper, gloves, a low-temperature hair dryer, and a sealant.
First, cover your work area with wax paper, newspaper, or another protective material. Put on gloves to protect your hands from the ink. Then, spread alcohol generously onto the tile and begin dropping your colours onto the tile in your desired pattern. You can use a low-temperature hair dryer or a straw to move the ink around.
You can use a brush-on, water-based sealer like Liquitex Gloss Varnish or Ranger Gloss Multi-Medium. You can also use Krylon Kamar Varnish, a spray sealer. After sealing, you can add a square of black felt or cork sheeting to the back of the tile to prevent scratches on furniture.
You can purchase open-backed trivet frames or square shadow-box frames. You can glue the tile directly into the frame or glue a matboard to the reverse of the tile and attach a D-ring to hang the tile.
Alcohol ink is meant to be used on non-porous surfaces such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass. It will not work on regular paper. If you want to practice on a larger surface, you can use Yupo paper or a spare piece of clear plastic or glass. If you are unhappy with your design, you can erase it using regular drug store rubbing alcohol and start over.
