Alcohol Ink Notecards

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

I made a bunch of alcohol ink notecard sets for Shop The Swap. I love working with alcohol ink because it’s so unpredictable and you get the coolest color blends. These were done on vellum and then glued to textured white notecards.

Reds & golds

Process pics!

The tools all assembled: alcohol inks, vellum, isopropyl alcohol, eye dropper, a straw, paper towels, and spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol.

First I drop alcohol ink all over the vellum wherever I feel like.

Next I use the eye dropper to add isopropyl alcohol. This thins the ink and makes it easier to move around on the vellum.

Now for the magic: I grab the straw and start blowing the ink around.

I also give it the occasional spritz of isopropyl alcohol and tilt and rotate the vellum to move ink. I have the whole thing sitting on a plastic cafeteria tray I bought at Ikea for $1. I love that thing. The edge mostly keeps the ink on the tray…except when I get enthusiastic with blowing ink around or crazy with the spray bottle. Fun fact: isopropyl alcohol will also remove ink splashes from your phone screen if you were stupid enough to leave it near your work area.

[Abbeeroad (Abbie - she/her)]

What a difference after you use the straw! Beautiful.

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

Thank you!

[gozer (Becca)]

Very cool. I can’t decide if the red ones remind me of fall leaves or fire, either way, they are stunning.

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

Thank you! I was going for fall colors but they do look more like fireballs . That red is super strong and drowns out the other colors.

[TheMistressT (Tara - she/her)]

Great cards for so many occasions! Thanks for sharing so much about your alcohol ink adventures.

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

Thank you! They’re really fun to make. I’m hoping all the detail will encourage more people to give it a try.

[Bunny1kenobi (Deanna 🇺🇸)]

Methinks I may have to invest in some alcohol inks and vellum…… these are lovely!

[madebyBeaG (in 🇧🇪 (from 🇳🇱) 🌎)]

Very pretty cards!
Thanks for showing your process. I might give it a try one day.

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

@Bunny1kenobi & @madebyBeaG - thank you! I hope you both get a chance to try it, it’s a fun process.

[Smmarrt (Susan - You can just add more paint!)]

These are so cool! I try and I try but I never get fun/stunning results like this. I will try again!

[ArtsyLadyCrafter (Sandi - Time to go create!⏰)]

Thanks for sharing notes on your process. I like the red and gold sheets! Which do you like best, Adirondack or Pinata inks?

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

For subtle shades, like the river pearl looking vellum, Ranger/Adirondack works better. For bright, vivid pops of color (and stunning gold) I prefer Pinata because they’re super saturated and dilute beautifully. Both brands are good, just depends on your prefence for colors and saturation really.

[AudiobookLover]

Thank you for sharing your process! This post makes me excited to try out my new inks! Have you tried using a hair dryer/heat gun to move the ink around?

[Tapestry (Jenn)]

Nope! Just a straw and gravity.