Alcohol inks have some unique qualities and when used with glossy paper or on shiny, non porous surfaces, produce wonderful effects that are ideal for use as backgrounds for many rubber stamping projects. The inks are simple to use and the single technique is easy to adapt and vary to produce a range of different effects.
While this is a great technique for backgrounds, alcohol inks should not be used with rubber stamps as they can dry out the rubber and cause damage to the stamp. Make sure that the working area is well ventilated when working with alcohol inks.
1. The Technique
Kate Pullen
The technique is very simple. Dots of alcohol inks are put onto an applicator and this is used to stamp the ink over a sheet of glossy paper or other shiny surfaces. One or more colored inks are used. The size of dot will contribute to the finished effect. Blending solution or rubbing alcohol is then 'spritzed' on the paper and this encourages the dots of ink to blend together, forming new, interesting designs.
How to Get Great Results
How to Get Great Results
- Drop the dots of ink onto the pad so that are separate and do not run into each other
- Use only 2 or 3 colors to avoid the colors blending into a single muddy color
- Try spraying the applicator pad with blending solution or rubbing alcohol for a different effect
2. Gather Materials Together
Kate Pullen
Gather the materials together and prepare the work surface.
Materials Required
Paper or Cardstock
This technique is more effective on papers and cardstock with glossy or shiny surfaces. Start with cheaper brands and save the good quality papers for when you are comfortable with the technique.
Inks
Adirondack by Ranger Inks is probably the most well known brand of alcohol inks and is readily available in many colors.
Applicator
An applicator or blending tool is available from Ranger Inks that is ideal for this technique, however it is also simple to make a suitable tool.
Rubbing Alcohol
A special alcohol ink blending solution or rubbing alcohol is required. This should be put into a spray bottle for ease of use.
Materials Required
Paper or Cardstock
This technique is more effective on papers and cardstock with glossy or shiny surfaces. Start with cheaper brands and save the good quality papers for when you are comfortable with the technique.
Inks
Adirondack by Ranger Inks is probably the most well known brand of alcohol inks and is readily available in many colors.
Applicator
An applicator or blending tool is available from Ranger Inks that is ideal for this technique, however it is also simple to make a suitable tool.
Rubbing Alcohol
A special alcohol ink blending solution or rubbing alcohol is required. This should be put into a spray bottle for ease of use.
3. Apply Inks to the Pad
Kate Pullen
Drop dots of alcohol ink onto the pad of the applicator by gently squeezing the bottle of ink over the applicator. Try to keep the dots so they are separate from each other. Use one or more colored inks as required.
4. Stamp the Applicator Pad onto the Paper
Kate Pullen
Quickly stamp the pad over the paper repeatedly, building up an all over design of dots on the page.
5. Spritz the Paper
Kate Pullen
Lightly spritz the paper with blending solution or rubbing alcohol. This will make the dots blend outwards and create different effects. Instead of spritzing the paper, try adding a drop of blending solution or rubbing alcohol to the applicator and stamp over the ink with this for a different effect.
6. Alternatives
Kate Pullen
Try using the same technique on other surfaces. Using alcohol inks on baking foil gives some unusual effects. The foil in the photograph has been scrunched up to give a highly textured feel. Glass and acrylic also work well with this technique.
7. Tips
- Alcohol inks are quick drying and it is a good idea to have everything close to hand when working with them. They are also permanent and this, combined with the fact that this can be quite a messy technique, means that extra precautions should be made to ensure that both the work surfaces and you are well covered!
- When adding rubber stamped images to an alcohol ink background, use a permanent ink that has been designed for stamping onto shiny surfaces such as Archival Ink from Ranger Inks. Dye and pigment inks will not set and might smudge. An alternative is to stamp onto plain paper and cut around the image before adhering this to the background.
- Try working with just a few large dots or lots of tiny dots to vary the finished effect.
