10+ Best Alcohol Inks for Resin Art - Expert Recommendation
Resin Art 101
Posted by:
amy-golden
Mar 15, 2024
Alcohol inks allow you to add vibrant colors and fluid effects to your resin pieces, making them more expressive and unique. But not all alcohol inks are created equal. You need high-quality inks that are compatible with resin, fade-resistant, and easy to use. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best alcohol inks for resin art and how to use them to create amazing resin artworks. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned resin artist, you will find this guide useful and informative. So, let’s get started!
Dye-based: Brea Reese's inks are dye-based, producing vivid and see-through colors.
Fast drying: Ideal for textured layering.
Non-porous surfaces: Optimal for non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper, metal, shrink plastic, glass, and other smooth surfaces.
Superfine pigments: The Neon Alcohol Inks contain superfine pigments which result in very bright and long-lasting colors.
Metallic alcohol inks: Available in gold and silver for mixed-media art.
Brea Reese Alcohol Inks are a type of dye-based ink that is ideal for use on non-porous surfaces. They come in a set of 24 colors and are known for their bold, transparent hues. The ink dries quickly and can be layered to create a wide range of colors and shades.
Each bottle contains 20ml of ink with a convenient applicator tip. The inks are available in different varieties, including neon, shimmer, and metallic.
Applicable to smooth surfaces (glossy paper, metal, shrink plastic, glass)
Unique, captivating formations
Messiness and need for proper ventilation and protection
Potential fading over time when exposed to sunlight or UV rays
Incompatibility with certain types of resin or varnish
SigWong Alcohol Inks - $33.59
Key Characteristics
Vibrant colors: 16 stunning shades including blues, greens, yellows, reds, purples, and black.
Highly concentrated: These inks are highly concentrated, meaning a little drop can go a long way. You can dilute these inks by mixing them with alcohol to achieve lighter colors.
Wide range of use: Ideal for epoxy resin projects like Petri art, tumblers, and coasters.
Easy to use: Sealed bottles for controlled application; excessive use may hinder resin curing.
SigWong Alcohol Inks offer a cost-effective solution for artists and crafters at all skill levels. While they may not provide the same level of pigmentation as some higher-priced alternatives, resulting in more subdued colors, they are particularly noted for their true red hue. Their smaller bottle sizes are well-suited for minor projects or those with modest ink requirements, making them a practical choice for beginners or casual users, though professionals desiring more saturated colors might seek other options.
Pros
Cons
Wide Palette for Artists
Highly Concentrated Inks
Wide Range of Use
Suitability for Epoxy Resin
Easy-to-Use Sealed Bottles
Inhalation risk from solvent presence
Curing sensitivity when using too much ink
Less pigmented
ArtResin Alcohol Ink - $32
Key Characteristics
Formulated for artresin epoxy resin: Tailored for ArtResin Epoxy Resin, ensuring compatibility and optimal results.
Suitable for "Petri" resin coasters: Ideal for “petri” resin coaster creation.
Versatile application: Applicable to various non-porous surfaces such as YUPO paper, ceramic, glass, and metal.
Water-resistant and revivable: Once dry, these alcohol inks are water-resistant. If desired, artists can revive the colors by applying fresh ink or pure alcohol.
Color variety and blending options: Includes 8 colors with blending possibilities: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, Orange, and Black.
Quick-drying and permanent: Quick-drying and yields permanent results.
ArtResin Alcohol Inks are vibrant, quick-drying inks designed for adding stunning color and effects to ArtResin epoxy resin projects. Available in 8 solid colors, they're perfect for creating organic designs in silicone molds or using non-porous surfaces like YUPO. Remember, while these inks are water-resistant and revivable, they're flammable and can affect resin's safety properties. For food-safe projects, always add a clear topcoat of untinted ArtResin.
Pros
Cons
Richly saturated and permanent
Versatile use on various non-porous substrates
Water-Resistant
UV Protection
Toxicity Risk with Alcohol Ink
Flammability
Food safety concerns
Temperature limitations, maximum temperature tolerance of 120°F/50°C
Pixiss Alcohol Ink - $29.99
Key Characteristics
Perfect for art: Pixiss Alcohol Inks are ideal for vibrant art creations.
High concentration: Highly concentrated for intensity; dilutable for varied shades.
Versatile: Applicable for epoxy resin art, including tumblers, Petri dishes, paintings, and more.
Intense vibrance: Includes 25 vivid colors, offering a wide variety of choices.
Bigger bottles: Larger .5oz/15ml bottles for extended use.
Pixiss Alcohol Inks comprise a collection of 25 alcohol-based inks that are highly concentrated, vibrant, and intense. These inks are ideal for a variety of creative projects, including resin petri dish art, resin painting, tumbler making, and other types of alcohol ink art. They are considered to be the best alcohol inks for these purposes.
These inks are ideal for non-porous surfaces, as they create colorful polished effects that are fast-drying and permanent. You can lighten, blend, and remove colors with an alcohol blending solution. The inks come in larger 15ml bottles that are individually sealed with new and improved safety caps for added leak protection.
Pros
Cons
High concentration
Compatibility with epoxy resin, tumbler crafting, epoxy resin petri dish art, epoxy resin ink painting,..
Diverse colors with 25 vibrant colors
Bigger bottles than those of competitors
Safety caps for added leak protection
Less vibrant compared to other brands
A vibrant design requires a significant amount of ink usage
Unnecessary plastic packaging
Picassio Alcohol Inks - $27.99
Key Characteristics
Variety of colors: Specially formulated for epoxy resin, offering a range of greens, blues, purples, etc.
Blendable & Concentrated: Use alone or mix for endless color possibilities. Blending solution increases transparency on non-porous surfaces.
Acid-free, fast-drying, and permanent: 100% acid-free, water-resistant, and long-lasting. Revitalize with fresh ink or blending solution.
Versatile: Creates stunning visuals, intricate layers, and rich depth on non-porous surfaces.
Picasso Alcohol Inks are a type of alcohol-based ink designed for creative purposes. This set of 25 intense and highly concentrated colors is perfect for a variety of applications, including epoxy resin, tumbler crafting, petri dish art, ink painting, and other alcohol ink arts. These inks are designed for non-porous surfaces like glass, ceramic, vinyl leather, Yupo paper, resin, and others.
They dry quickly and are permanent. You can use an alcohol blending solution to lighten, blend, or remove colors. These bottles have a larger capacity of 0.5 oz (15ml) compared to other brands, ensuring they last longer. The small nozzle allows you to control the flow of ink. However, note that removing these inks from the skin or cleaning them off surfaces like tables or floors can be challenging.
Pros
Cons
Variety of colors with 20 highly pigmented colors
Highly concentrated and blendable
Compatible with many types of epoxy resin
100% acid-free, fast-drying, and permanent
Improved safety with new caps for reducing leak protection
Bigger bottles
Toxic solvents
Dried ink at the top of the bottle
Color clumping
Issue with bottle design
Hard to remove inks from the skin or surfaces such as tables, floors
Let’s Resin Alcohol Ink - $26.99
Key Characteristics
Highly concentrated & Pigmented: Dense, low-odor inks with extensive coverage.
Versatile use: Ideal for epoxy resin art (petri, swirl, etc.) and other surfaces (metal, wood, etc.).
Vibrant & vivid colors: The set includes 26 highly saturated colors. Each bottle contains about 10ml/0.35 oz of ink.
Controlled spread: High pigment concentration for precise color placement.
Securely sealed bottles: Each bottle is individually wrapped and the nozzles are completely sealed for your peace of mind.
Let's Resin Alcohol Ink is a popular type of ink that is the best alcohol inks for resin art. It dries quickly and has vibrant colors. It's thicker than regular alcohol inks and covers a large area with a small amount. The set includes bright colors and is ideal for epoxy resin art.
LET'S RESIN Alcohol Ink doesn't spread much in resin, allowing precise color control. The bottles are individually wrapped, and their nozzles are sealed. However, adding too much ink affects the curing process.
Pros
Cons
Premium quality at an accessible price
Versatile usage
High concentration
Wide range of bright and vivid colors
Precise color control ability
Over saturation
Toxic alcohol ink
Flammability
Nawod Art Alcohol Inks - $17.24
Key Characteristics
Rich pigments & high Control: Intense colors ideal for depth, layering, and sinking effects in resin. Concentrated formula for minimal spreading (mix with alcohol for better spread). (0.35oz/bottle)
Wide application: Suitable for epoxy resin art (painting, tumblers, coasters, petri dishes) and other alcohol ink art (Yupo paper, acrylic painting).
Sealed squeeze bottles: Offer precise control over ink application.
NAWOD Art Alcohol Inks is a premium line of alcohol inks that have been designed specifically for artists and crafters. These inks are highly renowned for their vibrant colors, high concentration, and versatility in various art forms. Resin artists particularly love NAWOD alcohol inks due to their ability to create stunning effects, depth, layering, and sinking effects in resin art.
The resin ink dye is specifically formulated to achieve a highly pigmented effect, perfect for creating depth, layer, and sinking effects. The set includes 24 bottles of alcohol ink, with each bottle containing 10ml/0.35oz. There are 20 base colors and 4 bottles of white alcohol ink in the set. These inks are sealed in squeeze bottles, which allow for more precision in controlling your drops.
Pros
Cons
Vibrant color palette with 24 alcohol ink set
High concentration
Versatile application on many surfaces
Risk of over-saturation
The toxicity of alcohol ink
Flammability Hazard
DecorRom Alcohol Inks Set - $15.66
Key Characteristics
Vibrant colors: 24 lively colors for diverse resin art.
Highly pigmented: Formulated for depth and texture effects.
Concentrated: Allows for exact color control in resin.
Multi-purpose: Suitable for a range of resin and alcohol ink projects.
Quality packaging: Squeeze bottles for drop precision.
The DecorRom Alcohol Inks Set is a collection of alcohol-based inks designed for various art and craft projects, which is the best alcohol inks for resin art and epoxy resin painting. The set is available in different variants, including 12, 18, and 24-color sets, with some including white alcohol paint.
The inks are highly pigmented, allowing for the creation of vibrant and layered effects in artwork. The 24-color set offers a diverse selection of vivid colors, including two types of white alcohol ink. However, the bottles are smaller in size which means that you will not receive as much of each color. For beginners or those who are not planning to sell their art, DecoRom alcohol inks are a wonderful option.
Pros
Cons
24 vibrant alcohol-based ink colors
Precision control by the high concentration of the inks
Multi-purpose
Optimized packaging with squeeze bottles
Affordable
Suited for newbie or who don’t have intend to sell their art
Cap Issues, leading to leakage if the bottles fall over
Watery consistency
Distortion of certain colors when using
Small bottle design
Ineffectiveness of white alcohol ink in pushing down colored inks
Jacquard Pinata Alcohol Ink - $15.59
Key Characteristics
Color range: With 29 lightfast dye colors, this ink offers unmatched vibrancy and longevity.
Universal application: Suitable for a variety of hard surfaces like glass, metal, stone, leather, epoxy resins, plastic, ceramic, Yupo paper, etc.
Artistic freedom: Ideal for various art forms like fine arts, alcohol ink epoxy resin arts, faux finishing techniques, scrapbooking, crafts, card making, and staining wood, leather, and other supplies.
Easy cleanup & techniques: Cleans with alcohol and enables unique blending effects (due to alcohol base).
Size options: Choose from 1/2oz or 4oz sizes for your project. Jacquard also offers a set of alcohol inks.
The Jacquard Piñata Alcohol Ink is a highly saturated and fast-drying ink that works well on hard surfaces. It's indelible, impervious to water, and easy to clean with alcohol. The Piñata Colors are transparent, vibrant, and acid-free, making them perfect for non-porous surfaces. The ink comes in 29 colors, including metallic shades made from real metal pigments that are opaque and lightfast.
Pros
Cons
Rich, vibrant colors
Easy-to-use bottle design
Versatile use on almost any clean, oil-free surface
Moisture-resistant
Fast drying
Fast drying when not stored carefully
Strong smell
Staining on your fingers and clothes during making process
Blendable: Acid-free and transparent for rich color effects.
Amazing effects: Allows for precise control, making it easier to create depth, layers, overlaps, sinking effects, and other designs.
Versatile: Usable on resin, metal, yupo, epoxy, glass, and ceramic.
U.S. Art Supply Alcohol Ink is a set of vibrant, fast-drying, and highly concentrated alcohol-based inks. The set is available in two sizes: 24 and 48 colors, each color in a 30ml (1-oz) bottle.
These inks are acid-free and can be blended together using a clear blender solution, which makes them great for epoxy resin art painting and crafts. These inks enable precise color control for creating stunning designs. Once dry, they are permanent and water-resistant.
Pros
Cons
Large bottle size
Be acid-free and blendable
Vibrant colors with 24 colors
Highly concentrated, enables the user to have precise control over the color.
Permanent and water-resistant, offering lasting and waterproof results when dry
Leakage while using
Fading colors after using for a long time
Not suitable for UV resin
Naked Fusion Alcohol Ink - $19.95
Key Characteristics
Fantastic color selection: Includes 2 Ghost Pigments for special effects. (25 x 10g bags, 250g total)
Great value: The set includes 25 huge 10-gram bags, with a total weight of 250g. The pigments are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Resin Compatible: Tested for various resin applications with Naked Fusion Resin.
Vibrant LUXXE mica powder pigments: Vibrant mica powders chosen from top art trends.
Safe and non-toxic: Suitable for cosmetics and soap making. (Micron size: 10 - 60)
Naked Fusion Alcohol Ink is a specially formulated product that is ideal for artists and craft enthusiasts. It is an alcohol-based ink that is highly concentrated, vibrant, and dries quickly. When combined with epoxy resin, it produces striking colors and stunning effects that are perfect for a variety of art and craft projects. The ink can be used with different types of pigments as it is compatible with a range of them.
Designed to be used with Naked Fusion Resin, this ink has been thoroughly tested to ensure compatibility with various resin applications. It offers excellent long-term color stability and is safe for use on the skin, making it suitable for use in cosmetics and soap making. It is a safe and healthy choice for users because it is non-toxic and free of harmful VOCs.
Pros
Cons
Vibrant, fast-drying, and highly concentrated, producing brilliant colors and amazing effects
Perfect for many types of resin artwork
Safe for skin
Compatibility with Naked Fusion Resin
Stability in their vibrant hues color over time
Toxic alcohol inks due to the alcohol vapor
Flammability
Easily oversaturate
Various Ink Refills - $14.50
Key Characteristics
Product description: 12ml quick-drying, water-free ink bottles for airbrushing and drawing.
Ease of use: Baster-style booster and angled tip for easy refills; compatible with Copic tweezers.
Quality packaging design: Long nozzle for clean refills; color-coded caps with engraved codes; air-tight, non-roll cap.
Compatibility and quality: Suitable for all marker styles; acid-free ink.
Copic Various Ink Refills are designed to replenish a range of Copic markers, such as Copic Too, Sketch, Ciao, and Wide pens. These refills are provided in a bottle with a nozzle, making it easy for users to refill their markers. The ink is alcohol-based and is permanent on most surfaces. It is non-toxic and dries acid-free.
It's available in all 358 Copic colors and is compatible with all marker styles. Each bottle contains approximately 12ml of ink. These inks can also be mixed in empty pens to create new colors. However, some users have reported that the bottles are rigid and require a lot of pressure to squeeze.
Pros
Cons
A money-saving solution
Environmentally friendly
Convenient than buying new cartridges
A diverse selection of vibrant colors
The potential for damage
Toxic alcohol inks due to the alcohol vapor
Flammability
Easily oversaturate
Tim Holtz Ranger Ink - $18.99
Key Characteristics
Dye-based: Suitable for multiple surfaces.
Quality: Acid-free, permanent, fast-drying, and transparent
Versatile: Can be used on non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper, metal, and glass to create a vibrant, polished effect.
Polished stone look: Creates a captivating, stone-like appearance.
Safety: Conforms to ASTM D 4236 (adult use only - flammable).
Tim Holtz Ranger Ink is a range of alcohol-based inks known for their vivid colors and fast-drying properties. These inks are acid-free, transparent, and permanent, perfect for producing a colorful, glossy stone-like appearance. They can be applied to various non-porous materials, including glossy paper, dominoes, metal, shrink plastic, and glass, among others.
Each bottle of Tim Holtz Ranger Ink comes with a fine precision tip for easy application. The product line includes a wide variety of colors, as well as new additions like alcohol alloys and reflective metallic ink.
Pros
Cons
Vibrant colors and quick-drying properties
Versatile use on a variety of non-porous surfaces
Colorful, polished stone effect
Distinct odor
Limited color range
Higher range price
Not water-resistant.
T-REX Alcohol Ink - $29.99
Key Characteristics
Ultra-Vibrant Inks (few drops): Professional quality, dye-based pigments made in Japan.
Jumbo Bottles (33-50% more ink): Built-in precision applicators, screw caps for spill prevention.
Built-in precision applicators: Comes with precise applicators and screw caps to prevent spillage.
Storage box included: Comes with a storage box to keep your inks organized.
T-Rex Alcohol Inks are high-quality, concentrated, and vibrant dye-based alcohol ink, perfect for artists across various applications. They are the best alcohol inks for resin, alcohol ink painting, stamping, fabric dying, jewelry making, tumbler painting, and more. The inks offer rich saturation and smooth application, enabling artists to create stunning, long-lasting effects.
With a variety of colors available, each bottle features a precision applicator and leak-resistant screw cap for easy use. T-Rex Alcohol Inks also come in jumbo-sized bottles, offering 33 - 50% more ink per bottle than other brands, and include a reusable storage case for organization and portability.
Pros
Cons
Highly concentrated, providing ultimate vibrancy with just a few drops
Richly saturated and smooth
33-50% more ink per bottle
Optimized design to reduce leak-resistant
Toxic solvents
Quick evaporation
Limited color range
Key Considerations for Choosing Alcohol Ink
When selecting the best alcohol inks for resin art projects, there are 6 important factors to keep in mind.
Transparency
Alcohol inks are available in different degrees of transparency and opacity. Transparent inks can be layered to create depth, while opaque inks can provide more solid coverage. However, it’s important to note that not all alcohol inks behave the same way.
For example, some users have reported that the white alcohol ink from certain brands does not push the colored inks down very effectively. This could affect the transparency and the final look of the artwork.
Color Intensity
The intensity of alcohol ink colors is a crucial factor to consider when selecting the best alcohol inks for resin. Bright and intense colors can produce remarkable and visually striking artwork. When the colors are vivid, they can grab the viewer's attention and add vigor to your pieces.
Different brands, and even specific colors within a brand, may differ in terms of their color intensity. Some brands provide vivid color ink such as DecorRom Alcohol Inks, Nawod Art Alcohol Inks, Let’s Resin Alcohol Ink, Picassio Alcohol Inks, Pixiss Alcohol Ink, Brea Reese Alcohol Inks, Tim Holtz Ranger Ink. Therefore, it's essential to inspect color swatches or samples, either in person or online, to comprehend the intensity and saturation of the inks.
Solubility
Solubility of alcohol ink in alcohol, facilitating easy blending and layering. When mixed, they create smooth transitions and gradients, allowing for beautiful color effects. Diluting alcohol inks with alcohol or blending solutions produces subtle and translucent colors, offering control over opacity. The solubility enables the inks to flow and create fluid patterns, like marbling.
When choosing the best alcohol inks for resin, consider their solubility for desired techniques and effects. Opt for inks with good solubility for blending, layering, and achieving translucency. Note that solubility may vary between brands and formulations.
Blending Properties
Inks that possess good blending properties can help you achieve smooth and seamless color transitions. They enable you to blend colors without leaving any visible boundaries or harsh lines. This results in a visually pleasing gradient that appears more cohesive. Having inks with good blending properties allows for greater control over the blending process.
Lightfastness
Lightfastness refers to the ability of a dye or pigment to resist fading when exposed to sunlight. Alcohol inks are made from dyes and are known for their vibrant colors. However, they are only partially lightproof, which means that they can fade over time when exposed to UV rays from sunlight.
To protect the color brilliance of your artwork and increase its light resistance, you need to seal Alcohol Ink with a suitable color protection. Special UV-protection sprays are useful for fixing the Alcohol Inks, but make sure that the varnish you choose does not contain any alcohol, as it could dissolve the alcohol inks again.
Color Variety
When choosing the best alcohol inks for resin projects, it's important to consider the variety of colors available. T-REX Alcohol Ink, Naked Fusion Alcohol Ink, Jacquard Pinata Alcohol Ink, Nawod Art Alcohol Inks, Let’s Resin Alcohol Ink, Brea Reese Alcohol Inks are types of alcohol ink that are diverse in colors.
By mixing and blending these colors, you can craft personalized shades and hues that align perfectly with your creative vision. This opens up endless possibilities for color combinations that enable you to achieve the exact colors you desire for your artwork. Having a diverse selection of alcohol inks enhances your ability to experiment with color-mixing techniques and create unique and personalized color palettes.
Conclusion
When it comes to creating stunning resin art, selecting the best alcohol inks is crucial. They will be the most suitable ink that can meet all your demand for your art. Our list of the top 10+ best alcohol inks for resin art, compiled through thorough research and expert recommendations, ensures that they meet all your artistic requirements. With a wide color range and adherence to standard criteria, these carefully selected inks provide a confident start to your resin art journey.
Tags:
Share this post:
Author
I work as a freelance blogger in Seattle, Washington. I've been freelancing full-time for 5 years. I'm interested in anime, resin art, and mechanical keyboards.
Alcohol inks allow you to add vibrant colors and fluid effects to your resin pieces, making them more expressive and unique. But not all alcohol inks are created equal. You need high-quality inks that are compatible with resin, fade-resistant, and easy to use. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best alcohol inks […]
Alcohol ink is a vibrant and highly pigmented liquid medium that, when combined with resin, offers a translucent, stained-glass effect with an array of stunning, flowing patterns. The innovative art form has surged in popularity from tabletop surfaces to delicate jewelry. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you grasp the techniques needed […]
Choosing the best epoxy resin can be pivotal for the success of any project, whether it's intricate art pieces or durable coatings. This article delves into the world of epoxy resins, helping you identify the top options available in the market. From understanding their unique properties to selecting the best epoxy resin for your specific […]
Epoxy resin is frequently used as an important material to create furniture, 3D paintings, jewelry accessories, and other handmade products because it has high adhesion and can withstand water or UV radiation. The best epoxy resins for wood listed below are ideal if you're looking for an epoxy resin to create durable and quality wood […]
Want to start a project with resin but are overwhelmed by its variety? You have come to the right place. Below we provide a complete look at 10+ different types of resin & their applications. Scroll down and read, you will find the right resin for your project. What are common types of resin? Resin […]