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For alcohol ink addicts (me), a new line of alcohol inks is out, plus a new Grafix plastic paper that’s similar to Yupo but maybe a little less expensive.
Regular Duralar by Grafix can also be used for alcohol inks. I never thought of that but happen to have a bunch used to replace acrylic sheets stamps were stored on. It’s clear but working over white paper would allow colors to show up.
Would they be used like any alcohol inks? My impression was they could be inserted into our stash with the other brands?
I like Joggles because it’s a small, family owned business, prices are good, shipping fast and cheap, and super customer service. They have lots of sales. Oh, and excellent videos on the blog how to use products. While many are more mixed media oriented, techniques are techniques.
More about Grafix Opaque White Plastic and alcohol inks from Joggles email:
“1. The Inks do not stain Opaque White Plastic. As in not at all, nada. I tested lots of colors that are notorious for leaving a blob shaped mark when dropped on the surface and they all were removed with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. 2. Opaque White Plastic is very heat resistant. When you consider the number of techniques that use a heat tool or hair dryer to move the inks around, you immediately realize what a big deal this is.
I mentioned that Opaque White Plastic is less expensive than Yupo. In the video you'll hear me talk specifics and I'll mention them here because the difference is so significant.”
Grafix is half the cost of Yupo, and there’s a 30% discount on Tim’s alcohol inks today through Friday 11:59 p.m.
One difference I don’t love is that the ring that blooms with some colors - like a pink ring on some blues - is absent with the Grafix, though the colors break apart when you work the ink. So the times wanting those rings I’ll stick with Yupo.
My Brea Reese alcohol inks should be arriving tomorrow. The colors are gorgeous, and I plan to use them with my Ranger alcohol inks. There shouldn't be any problems. I've combined Pinata inks with Ranger in the past with no issues at all.
Has anyone used alcohol inks on photo paper? I'm going to try it this week, but I wanted to know what to expect. Thanks!
I haven’t. One thing learned from using Distress Oxides on photo paper - not all photo paper is created equally, even if sheen is the same. One technique a few of us tried worked well on some brands but not at all on others. So if you have more than one type, maybe try on both. And hope you’ll report back.
I wonder if the alcohol ink will chemically react and/or dissolve the coating of the photo paper.
Here'a a video (non-Joggles) using Grafix:
I recently saw that Marabu has alcohol inks: Alcohol Ink - Marabu Creative I wonder if Joggles will carry them. Barb has carried/demoed many Marabu products.
I haven’t. One thing learned from using Distress Oxides on photo paper - not all photo paper is created equally, even if sheen is the same. One technique a few of us tried worked well on some brands but not at all on others. So if you have more than one type, maybe try on both. And hope you’ll report back.
I wonder if the alcohol ink will chemically react and/or dissolve the coating of the photo paper.
I have HP, Canon, and some generic brands that I think my MIL got at the dollar store. I'll try each one and report the results, hopefully today or tomorrow.
OK, so I tried the photo paper. Here's a link to my blog for all my results and descriptions of what I used: My Crafty Life: Alcohol Ink Backgrounds. Here's a photo of my results:
Joggles is the whole package when it comes to art supplies. But their how-to videos by Barb and specially organized/managed online content by Simon ranks them right at the top. This is a small business well worth supporting.
I recently saw that Marabu has alcohol inks: Alcohol Ink - Marabu Creative I wonder if Joggles will carry them. Barb has carried/demoed many Marabu products.
Available August this year - and did you see that rainbow one???? Oh MY!! Dang, new stuff that must come I'm sure!!!! You guys are really bad for my wallet!!! Already looking for Grafix Opaque White!
__________________ The future is uncertain, because love changes everything!
Available August this year - and did you see that rainbow one???? Oh MY!! Dang, new stuff that must come I'm sure!!!! You guys are really bad for my wallet!!! Already looking for Grafix Opaque White!
Available August this year - and did you see that rainbow one???? Oh MY!! Dang, new stuff that must come I'm sure!!!! You guys are really bad for my wallet!!! Already looking for Grafix Opaque White!
It’s available now from Barbara at Joggles - see links in post #1 and some others give thumbs up to Joggles too. Barbara demos it too, and shows the slight difference in blooming compared to Grafix. Enjoy!
It’s available now from Barbara at Joggles - see links in post #1 and some others give thumbs up to Joggles too. Barbara demos it too, and shows the slight difference in blooming compared to Grafix. Enjoy!
That's Brea Reese - is that the same as the Marabu? I couldn't find a maker on it...and I couldn't find the rainbow or the metallics there. Thanks! Those look good too!
__________________ The future is uncertain, because love changes everything!
That's Brea Reese - is that the same as the Marabu? I couldn't find a maker on it...and I couldn't find the rainbow or the metallics there. Thanks! Those look good too!
I was just responding to your saying you were going to look for the Grafix, sorry. Joggles carries metallic alcohol inks - by Jacquard Piñata. I just bought some.
I was just responding to your saying you were going to look for the Grafix, sorry. Joggles carries metallic alcohol inks - by Jacquard Piñata. I just bought some.
Ahhh, I think I'm caught up to the discussion now - been kind of a week here!! My mom (from another family but we adopted each other) just entered hospice and I also have 2 adult special needs children who always need something or other...so sometimes I don't always get conversations right. Sorry about that!
I love the Pinata inks - they are luscious! And yes, I saw the Grafix - am really looking forward to playing on that - have it bookmarked! Thanks!
__________________ The future is uncertain, because love changes everything!
Ahhh, I think I'm caught up to the discussion now - been kind of a week here!! My mom (from another family but we adopted each other) just entered hospice and I also have 2 adult special needs children who always need something or other...so sometimes I don't always get conversations right. Sorry about that!
I love the Pinata inks - they are luscious! And yes, I saw the Grafix - am really looking forward to playing on that - have it bookmarked! Thanks!
Joni, with everything going on on your life, knowing up from down is a triumph. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. (And what a wonderful gift and connection to find and adopt each other.) I hope you can carve out at least a little time for yourself to get [alcohol] inky or get a bit of rest.
The metallic alcohol inks from Jacquard (Piñata) are terrific. I still like smooshing foil into barely damp alcohol ink to get random bits too. And comparing to Marabou will be fun. Since Joggles carries many Marabu products, maybe she’ll include that line. I just emailed to ask. Or maybe someone already has?
“Yes! Yes, I’ll have the entire line including the metallic and rainbow colors. That Rainbow… it so fantastic I’m not sure there are enough superlatives to describe it.
If you want to share this with your forum friends, I’m happy to let you know that not only will we have them, they’re going to debut at 50% off. And, there will be a freebie promotion tied directly to the inks. I’m not saying what, other than a surface the inks can be used on.<o:p></o
It looks as though they’ll be here at the end of next week, but don’t hold me to that as I’m not positive exactly when they’ll ship from Marabu’s South Caroline warehouse. If you want to check back with me on Wednesday I should know more.<o:p></o
Far be it for me to disappoint you, but I’m completely incapable of not replying to emails. It’s just ingrained it me to answer as soon as I’m able. :+) Happy 4<sup>th</sup> to you too!
Barb“ (The last paragraph was responding to my saying I’d disappointed in her if she responded before Monday, since she deserved the holiday weekend off. )
“Yes! Yes, I’ll have the entire line including the metallic and rainbow colors. That Rainbow… it so fantastic I’m not sure there are enough superlatives to describe it.
If you want to share this with your forum friends, I’m happy to let you know that not only will we have them, they’re going to debut at 50% off. And, there will be a freebie promotion tied directly to the inks. I’m not saying what, other than a surface the inks can be used on.<o:p></o
It looks as though they’ll be here at the end of next week, but don’t hold me to that as I’m not positive exactly when they’ll ship from Marabu’s South Caroline warehouse. If you want to check back with me on Wednesday I should know more.<o:p></o
Far be it for me to disappoint you, but I’m completely incapable of not replying to emails. It’s just ingrained it me to answer as soon as I’m able. :+) Happy 4<sup>th</sup> to you too!
Barb“ (The last paragraph was responding to my saying I’d disappointed in her if she responded before Monday, since she deserved the holiday weekend off. )
OoooOooooOooo. Now I can't wait!!! Good to know my instincts about that Rainbow were right...will watch for the announcement. Thanks for checking in this!
OoooOooooOooo. Now I can't wait!!! Good to know my instincts about that Rainbow were right...will watch for the announcement. Thanks for checking in this!
You don’t have to wait any longer!
The inks are on Joggles with a 50% discount. There’s a freebie and a video.
My full set of Marabu AI arrived. !!!! Here's a video about them with gel printing: &feature=em-uploademail
I hope to get a chance to play in a few days.
From Joggles’ newsletter: I couldn't tell you the last time Jacquard expanded the Pinata Alcohol Ink line, though would guess it's been years. You'll imagine how excited I was when the delivery with the five new colors arrived a couple of days ago.”
Say hello to (left to right) Blue Violet, Coral, Golden Yellow, Pink, and Teal.”
BTW, for storage different manufacturers are mixed together in Tim Holtz alcohol ink boxes: ROYGBIV - neutrals - metallics - mixatives. But the new Marabus are too tall. Messes up my quick grab rainbow scheme. :(
Not about the new alcohol inks, but thought some of the alco-ink gang might enjoy this video of using a straw to make flowery petals. Knocked my inky socks off. I hadn't seen her work before but now am following her. And here’s her blog: http://www.inkyfairydesigns.com/2019...ique-save.html
Just tried it... she makes it look easy! I got semi-okay results depending on how I blew through the straw (better for me than the squeeze thing) - short bursts of air versus longer. Issue was if wanting to add a petal, the new ink would push previously dried ink away. Practice!
I used the Grafix plastic paper and Yupo - still like Yupo best for how inks moved but Grafix was very good - and cheaper.
To "erase" some of my worst flowers, I applied dots of ink and alcohol with a fine tipped bottle onto a felt rectangle on an old Ranger blending tool and made stripes, and serendipitously found that pouncing made neat patterns on top of the stripes. No good photos though. It's not really lighter at the bottom.
I just played with the Marabus for the first time. Impressions, which will be different for different people:
- They are easier to control than other alcohol inks, partly because a push pin is used to open them, so the opening is very small. But they also don't flow as much and there was virtually no blooming on Grafix or Yupo. That could be a pro or a con.
I only have a few colors and spent a few minutes messing around to make a test piece on a 5x6" (?) piece of Grafix, and was shocked at how much control I had.
- They stay wet longer.
- Foil stuck extremely easily. In fact, for the first time I wished that not so much had stuck!
- The odor is different than for other brands. I didn't like it, but a small fan blows across the desk, so I only caught occasional whiffs.
I'll get more since at $2.00 right now at Joggles.
Someone who wrote a comment (on a different site) said they make a huge mess and are leaky. It sounds like the opening was made too large. I bought pushpins (and will donate most) because that's what's on the bottle and recommended! LOL So not messy.
She also said they just sit there. I know what she means, but using air (straw for me, squeezy thing, compressor), they easily moved - just no blooming, at least not my colors. (Blooming for my other alcohol inks varies depending on color.)
ETA: It reminded me just a *little* of working with watercolors. And they’re fine with other alcohol inks - fooled around with them.
NOTE; this is not art, not anything except playing with AI movement. It could end up die cut into shapes or strips, but is not a card front!
Last edited by bjeans; 07-30-2019 at 01:21 PM..
Reason: because alcohol inks took away my brain
I read the same article and had a far different experience. The leaky, messiest bottles to use are (still) my Ranger/Holtz brand. Initially, they didn't bother me at all...hey, they were alcohol inks, real live alcohol inks, and they were over-the-moon-fun to play with! Didn't much care about the Pinata inks getting crunchy detritus over the glossy paper at the most noticeable space: strained them, added more alcohol, and played on.
Bought all blue and green offerings by Marabu, tried them and fell in love. (Won't repeat "bjeans" comments since I agree with them.) I do wish they had more colors, Rangers' strong point, but will definitely fill in my stash with the rest of their rainbow at Joggles now, and whatever is available in future.
Just for the record, Marabu alcohol inks only come of the spout's hole you make and do not leak when horizontal if their white cap is closed tightly. Gotta' love 'em!
Last edited by crlfl; 07-28-2019 at 04:41 PM..
Reason: addl
My Rangers’ don’t leak, but the holes are just too large, so very hard to control - though it depends somewhat on color, I’ve noticed. I’ve thought about pouring them into fine-tip bottles. What a job though. Like these, but I’d need more than 15:
[QUOTE=bjeans;21846210]My Rangers’ don’t leak, but the holes are just too large, so very hard to control - though it depends somewhat on color, I’ve noticed. I’ve thought about pouring them into fine-tip bottles. What a job though. Like these, but I’d need more than 15:
They’re way too expensive for so many alcohol inks but I wonder if another type that’s airtight might fit. Or if Marabu would sell empty bottles, haha.
I had emailed Barbara (Joggles) to ask a question about bottles for other alcohol inks and also my experience so far with Marabu. Her response, in part:
“They're different than the others and a few folks are disappointed. My feeling is that it's good that they're different and let's figure out how and what we can do with those properties. I'd love to hear about how you're using them. Any and all expertise is welcome as I try to celebrate those differences.” I bought more because sometimes it’s nice to have a non- or less-blooming alcohol ink that sits still (or stiller) yet plays nice with other alcohol inks. People who don’t like that other alcohol inks can have a mind of their own, especially if the user doesn’t practice tons or use other methods/tools to control them more, may also like Marabu more. I think they have a bit of watercolor response in some ways. A calmer alcohol ink, haha. Just my take.
Barbara suggested the bottles I found on Amazon for other AIs could work fine; she probably will start carrying bottles but there’s no timeline.
New Alcohol Inks, Plastic Paper, Dura-Lar
