🎨 Alcohol Inks – Where to Start and What to Choose as a Beginner?
1. What Are Alcohol Inks?
Alcohol inks are highly pigmented, fast-drying inks with an alcohol base instead of water. They’re famous for their vibrant colors, fluid movement, and ability to create stunning abstract effects.
When used on non-porous surfaces like synthetic paper (Yupo), ceramics, glass, or metal, alcohol inks:
- Spread and blend effortlessly
- Dry into bold, translucent layers
- Can be reactivated with isopropyl alcohol — allowing unlimited edits and effects
These inks are perfect for:
- Abstract art & expressive painting
- Card making & creative crafts
- Mixed media, resin art, and pouring techniques
- DIY tiles, glassware, and unique home decor
Unlike traditional paints, alcohol inks don’t just “sit” on the surface — they flow, merge, evaporate, and leave behind magical organic patterns.
1.1 Alcohol inks 'Color line' 🎨
In the ScrapEgo alcohol ink palette, you'll find 50 stunning, rich colors. As a beginner, choosing colors is all about your mood and inspiration — just go with what feels right!
💡 Pro tip: Try to use no more than 3–4 colors in a single piece. This keeps your artwork harmonious and helps the shades blend beautifully into each other without becoming muddy.
1.2 Mixetive alcohol inks ✨ (a.k.a. Magic in a Bottle)
So what are effect inks, and why do they look like wizardry in a bottle?
Effect inks aren’t traditional colored inks. They have the same alcohol-based formula but don’t contain pigment in the usual way. Instead, they’re made of a transparent base plus a special pigment or shimmer that adds effects rather than color.
Here’s how they work:
- On dark surfaces, they shine, pop, and create a dramatic contrast.
- On white or light backgrounds, they almost disappear or look subtle.
They’re not usually used alone (unless you're working on dark backgrounds) — they’re meant to enhance your main colors, adding:
- Pearlescent shimmer
- Golden or metallic sparkle
- Depth and texture
Still unsure? Don’t worry! We’ve created a simple beginner-friendly guide to help you explore effect inks — what they do, how they look, and when to use them.
Coming up next: Mini Guide to Mixetive alcohol inks.
🖌️ 1. White Alcohol Ink
SEAL083 Snowflake
This is a rich, opaque white ink.
You can use it on its own over dark backgrounds for bold contrast, or mix it with colored inks to soften and "pastelize" them. It tones down intensity and reduces transparency — a great tool for achieving delicate shades and dreamy effects.
✨ 2. Metallic alcohol inks
These are the inks behind those gorgeous marble-like veins you've seen in alcohol ink art online. They contain heavy metallic pigments that rise to the surface when applied.
🔸 Available in 5 stunning metallic shades in the ScrapEgo collection.
📌 Important tips:
- Always shake or stir before each use to lift the pigment.
- Always dilute with blending solution — they’re very concentrated!
- Add only a small amount at a time. The pigment floats above the surface and can easily overpower other colors if overused.
🌈 3. Pearl chameleon inks
These magical inks contain a milky base and pearlescent pigment that shifts color depending on the light and viewing angle — from golden to blue, and beyond.
Use them:
- Alone on dark surfaces to create dreamy flowers or galaxies
- Or layered over colored inks to add a beautiful shimmering glow
✨ Comes in a line of 5 color-shifting effects.
💧 4. Alcohol Ink Blending Solution
This is your best friend when working with alcohol inks!
Blending solution helps you:
- Lighten and adjust the intensity of inks
- Create “ripple” or watercolor-like effects
- Control flow and prevent blotchy spots
Without it, your inks may be too dark or dry too fast. Ours is available in 150 ml and 300 ml bottles — non-toxic and made with the same base as the inks (just without color).
🌬️ 5. Mini Dryer (Blower)
Why do you need a dryer? Alcohol inks dry fast — much faster than water-based paints — and create their signature textures as they evaporate.
Using a small dryer helps you:
- Direct the flow of ink
- Create soft lines, waves, and bloom effects
- Work with precision without over-drying
We recommend a compact, low-heat travel hair dryer — lightweight and easier to control than a regular one.
🧾 6. Painting Surface
Alcohol inks work best on non-absorbent surfaces, including:
- Plastic, glass, ceramics
- Laminated MDF, mirrors
- Synthetic paper & plastic
So yes — you can decorate anything from tiles and coasters to photo frames, ornaments, or even glassware. Just make sure the surface is smooth and non-porous.
6.1 Synthetic Paper
Looks like matte paper but is actually plastic.
Strong, flexible, tear-resistant, and perfect for ink flow. We recommend taping it down with painter’s tape to keep it in place while working.
🗒️ Available on our website in 275 micron thickness, in sizes from 25×35 cm to 100×70 cm.
6.2 Plastic for alcohol inks
Comes in white or black, much thicker than synthetic paper (0.5 mm / ~500g/m²).
- Use white plastic for colored inks
- Use black plastic for mixetive inks (metallics, shimmer)
🧤 7. Workspace & Safety Tips
Alcohol inks do not wash out of fabric, so keep your space and clothes protected:
✔️ Cover your table with a plastic sheet
✔️ Wear a waterproof apron
✔️ Use gloves
✔️ Keep paper towels or wipes nearby
⚠️ 8. Ventilation & Safe Use
Both inks and blending solution are alcohol-based and release fumes while drying. Work in a well-ventilated area, or use an extractor fan if indoors.
💡 We recommend working no longer than 3 hours at a time for comfort and safety.
🖼️ 9. How to Begin: Step by Step
- Put on your apron and gloves
- Cover your workspace
- Tape down your paper or film
- Plug in your dryer on the convenient side
- Pour a drop of ink onto your surface and add some blending solution
- Start drying and guiding the ink flow — and watch the magic happen!
👉 Tip: Place your bottles on the side opposite from your dryer to avoid knocking them over.
Just enjoy the process — alcohol ink is pure magic. Don’t rush it or expect perfection. Let your creativity lead the way!
✔️ 10. Finishing Your Artwork
Once your piece is dry, seal it with spray acrylic varnish (available in art or hardware stores).
Then:
- Frame it in a ready-made frame
- Or visit a framing shop to create a custom frame
- Or use a frameless display (glass sandwich frames with metal clips
All of them will look clean, modern, and gallery-ready!
🎁 Starter Kits
To save you time and effort, we’ve created beginner-friendly starter sets that include all the essentials — from inks to paper to blending solution.
💫 Creativity Awaits!
You’ve got everything you need to begin your journey with alcohol inks. Just add imagination.
We believe in your vision — now it’s time to express it.