Another Tile Question!

[daisyboo]

I just spent the last hour searching for ideas for stamping and coloring on tiles, but I can't find the answer to my question. I want to make the tile coasters without any sealer. I tried sharpies but they seem too bright and I can't get a good blending technique on the tile. Also tried the very few copics I have. The blending pen seemed to just erase too much.

So I tried prismacolor pencils and gamsol. Well I really really like the way they look - soft and well blended. But here's my question! Will they stand up to use without using a sealer? Anybody try this already? I hate to spend the day doing this if it won't last so any opinions are welcome!!

And how do you get a soft blend with the sharpies?

[GarnetJ]

I would use a matte finish sealer. The tiles won't look shiny and the colors won't "run."

[kstamper]

I have used a Qtip to blend my Sharpie colors. Just pick up the color(s) on the Qtip and do a test swatch on a spare tile. That way you can get the right color blend. The cheapo Qtips work best for this. I get a bag of 1000 at Walgreens really cheap. It is difficult to color really small areas this way, but otherwise it works pretty well. You can also blend colors if you work really fast and go over the dark color with a lighter color, pulling the color out and away. If you use Sharpies you don't have to seal the tile, too!

[Cicicara]

It depends on the kind of tile, too. I colored some unglazed marble tiles with Prismas and OMS last Christmas. They're still looking bright and unworn after daily use for a year. The problem with the unglazed marble tiles is that the only ones I found have a few in each set that have holes that are too big for use as coasters.

[dianerh]

I use a Fantastix with All Purpose Inks and Fabrico Markers. I heat set. Here's a link to the AP inks: http://www.tsukineko.com/store/cart....duct_list&c=24

[bwstamper]

I made these unglazed and unsealed tile coasters about a year ago using the tumbled marble tiles and colored them with Colorbox fluid chalk ink. I baked them in the oven for 20 minutes. I use them in my family room and they look the same as they did when I made them. I prefer not to seal my coasters so that they will absorb the condensation rather than it running off the coaster.

[GarnetJ]

Wow bw... Your tiles are beautiful! I might make some coasters without any sealer now that I've seen yours.