Dye Na Flow Vs Alcohol Ink: What's The Difference?

Dye-Na-Flow and alcohol ink are not the same, and they have distinct characteristics and applications. Dye-Na-Flow is a free-flowing, highly concentrated liquid colour that can be used on various materials, including fabric, canvas, paper, and cloth. It is absorbed into the fibres, resulting in a smooth and even finish. On the other hand, alcohol ink is a highly pigmented dye that is typically used on non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, plastic, and ceramic. Alcohol inks are known for their hypnotic and ever-changing effects, requiring patience and experimentation from the artist. While Dye-Na-Flow offers a cheap alternative to alcohol inks, they both serve different purposes and create unique artistic outcomes.

Dye-Na-Flow is cheaper than alcohol ink

Dye-Na-Flow is a free-flowing, highly concentrated liquid colour that is perfect for various art techniques such as airbrushing, silk painting, spray-on tie-dying, watercolour techniques, spritzing through lace or stencils, and many other fabric design uses. It can be used on canvas, paper, and cloth. Dye-Na-Flow is absorbed thoroughly and evenly into the fabric, sinking into the fibres like a dye instead of sitting on the surface like thicker inks and paints. Jacquard Dye-Na-Flow Exciter comes in an assortment of nine colours in 1/2 oz. sample size bottles.

Alcohol ink is a highly-pigmented dye that can be used on non-porous substrates. It is transparent and the colour options are endless. Alcohol inks are used on glossy paper, dominoes, metal, shrink plastic, glass, and other slick surfaces. The thinning medium that needs to be used to stretch out their volume is isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol inks need to be used on a non-porous surface to maximize their fluidity.

Dye-Na-Flow is a cheaper alternative to alcohol ink. Customers have noted that a small amount of Dye-Na-Flow goes a long way. One customer on Amazon said, "Still works great but these are tiny bottles so don't expect it to last you forever." Another customer said, "I wanted to make sure the design does not bleed or fade. Worked perfectly. I also love that there is no stiffness in the painted design."

Dye-Na-Flow is a good option for those looking for a cheaper alternative to alcohol ink. It offers similar effects and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

Dye-Na-Flow is more versatile

Dye-Na-Flow is also a cheaper alternative to alcohol ink. Customers have noted that Dye-Na-Flow is a good quality product that is a cheap alternative to alcohol inks. The small bottles of Dye-Na-Flow go a long way, and the dye is easy to use. The colours are vibrant and can be mixed to create different shades. This makes Dye-Na-Flow a more cost-effective option than alcohol ink, which can be more expensive, especially when considering the amount of product that comes in each bottle.

Another advantage of Dye-Na-Flow is that it soaks into the fabric, lace, or any porous object, giving it a more dye-like appearance instead of sitting on the surface like thicker inks and paints. This results in a softer and smoother finish, which is especially noticeable on silks. In contrast, alcohol inks leave behind a thin film on top of the substrate, which can be reworked if more alcohol is added. This film can create a glossy effect, but it may not be desirable in all cases. Dye-Na-Flow's ability to absorb into the material gives it a more natural and seamless appearance.

Additionally, Dye-Na-Flow does not have the same rewetting properties as alcohol inks. Alcohol inks can be cleaned up with alcohol and can be rewetted, allowing for unique effects and techniques not easily achieved with water-based inks. Dye-Na-Flow, on the other hand, does not require any thinning medium, and once it is absorbed into the material, it cannot be reactivated. This may be advantageous for certain projects where a permanent and non-rewettable medium is desired.

Overall, Dye-Na-Flow is a more versatile product than alcohol ink due to its ability to be used on a wider range of materials, its cost-effectiveness, its dye-like appearance, and its non-rewettable nature. It is a high-quality and easy-to-use product that can create beautiful and vibrant effects, making it a popular choice for artists and crafters alike.

Alcohol ink is more vibrant

Dye-Na-Flow and alcohol ink are not the same. Dye-Na-Flow is a free-flowing, highly concentrated liquid colour that is perfect for airbrushing, silk painting, spray-on tie-dying, watercolour techniques, spritzing through lace or stencils, tole painting, sponge printing and many other fabric design uses. It is a cheap alternative to alcohol inks. Alcohol inks, on the other hand, are transparent, highly pigmented dyes that can be used on non-porous substrates.

Alcohol inks are dye-based, while acrylic inks are pigment-based. When the alcohol in alcohol ink evaporates, it leaves a thin film on top of the substrate that can be reworked if more alcohol is added. This means that alcohol ink is more vibrant than Dye-Na-Flow. Alcohol inks are also more vibrant than acrylic inks, as they are more defined and less likely to smear or muddy.

Alcohol inks have a mind of their own and require a lot of patience to work with. They can be used to create the most hypnotic and trippy effects, but only if the artist is willing to put in the time to learn their unique behaviour. The higher the percentage of alcohol used as a thinning medium, the slower the inks take to dry, which can be challenging for artists who lack patience. Once the alcohol medium begins to evaporate, the pigment that's left gels and can become almost sculptural.

Alcohol inks are also more versatile than Dye-Na-Flow in terms of the surfaces they can be used on. While Dye-Na-Flow works well on canvas, paper and cloth, alcohol inks can be used on a variety of non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather, resin, polymer clay and more.

Alcohol ink is better for resin art

Dye-Na-Flow is a free-flowing, highly concentrated liquid colour that is perfect for airbrushing, silk painting, spray-on tie-dying, watercolour techniques, spritzing through lace or stencils, tole painting, sponge printing and many other fabric design uses. It is a cheap alternative to alcohol inks and can be used on various materials, including canvas, paper, and cloth. On the other hand, Alcohol inks are transparent, highly pigmented dyes that can be used on non-porous substrates. They are permanent, non-toxic, and photocopy-safe, drying acid-free and cleaning up with rubbing alcohol.

While both Dye-Na-Flow and Alcohol Inks are used for art, Alcohol Inks are better for resin art due to various reasons. Firstly, alcohol inks can be used on non-porous substrates, such as glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, stone, leather, resin, and polymer clay. This makes them ideal for creating resin art, as the ink can be applied directly to the resin surface. Dye-Na-Flow, on the other hand, is typically used on porous surfaces such as fabric, paper, or canvas, and may not have the same adhesion to resin as alcohol ink.

Secondly, alcohol inks offer a wide range of colour options, with several brands available to choose from, such as Copic, Tim Holtz, T-REX, and Jacquard Piñata Color. This variety of options allows for a diverse range of artistic expressions and explorations. While Dye-Na-Flow also offers a range of colours, the selection may be more limited in comparison to alcohol inks.

Thirdly, alcohol inks have unique properties that allow for the creation of hypnotic and trippy effects, as described by a mixed media artist. The inks have a mind of their own, requiring the artist to embrace a lack of control and experiment tirelessly to figure out the best techniques and timing. This unpredictable nature of alcohol inks can lead to fascinating and unexpected results in resin art, making each piece truly unique. Dye-Na-Flow, while also offering some level of fluidity and creativity, may not provide the same extent of unpredictable and ever-changing effects as alcohol inks.

Lastly, alcohol inks offer more flexibility in terms of work time. As the alcohol in the inks evaporates, it leaves behind a thin film on top of the substrate that can be reworked if more alcohol is added. This allows artists to take their time, work on a piece over multiple sessions, and blend and rework colours and sections as needed. In contrast, acrylic inks, which are pigment-based like Dye-Na-Flow, bond permanently to the substrate when dried and cannot be reworked. This permanent nature of Dye-Na-Flow may restrict the creative process and the ability to make changes or adjustments to the resin art.

In summary, while both Dye-Na-Flow and Alcohol Inks are viable options for creating art, Alcohol Inks offer distinct advantages for resin art. Their compatibility with non-porous surfaces, extensive colour options, unique effects, and flexibility in work time make them a preferred choice for artists creating resin artwork.

Alcohol ink is harder to work with

Dye-Na-Flow is a free-flowing, highly concentrated liquid colour that is perfect for airbrushing, silk painting, spray-on tie-dying, watercolour techniques, spritzing through lace or stencils, tole painting, sponge printing, and many other fabric design uses. It is a cheap alternative to alcohol ink and is easy to use, with convenient squeeze bottles. It can be used on various materials, including canvas, paper, and cloth.

Alcohol ink, on the other hand, is harder to work with. It is a highly fluid art medium that can create beautifully vibrant works of art. It is a transparent, highly pigmented dye that can be used on non-porous substrates. Alcohol inks need to be used on a non-porous surface to maximize their fluidity. Some non-porous surfaces that can be used are Ampersand's Claybord, ceramic, polypropylene paper, sheet metal such as aluminium or copper, plexiglass, and glass.

Alcohol inks behave as if they have a mind of their own, and artists need to learn to embrace the lack of control. They are pigment suspended in isopropyl alcohol, and the thinning medium that needs to be used to stretch out their volume is also isopropyl alcohol, with a percentage of 70% or higher. The higher the percentage of alcohol, the slower the inks take to dry, which is great from a workability standpoint but can be challenging for the artist's patience. Once the alcohol medium begins to evaporate, the pigment that's left gels and can become almost sculptural. This factor means that alcohol inks require a lot of patience, and artists will have to experiment tirelessly to figure out which techniques and timing work best for them.

Alcohol inks cannot be mixed with acrylic inks, and it is generally recommended to not use them together on a mixed media piece without plenty of testing first. Layering alcohol ink over acrylic ink can lead to problems and cracking. In addition, alcohol inks can fade with time if left in direct sunlight.

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