To a novice or newbie crafter, alcohol-based inks can be a little perplexing. I’m happy to share Pinata Inks by Jacquard and hopefully both de-mystify what this inks are and why they can be so versatile in your crafting supply box!
Let’s start with a little information from the Jaquard website:
Beautiful, highly saturated and acid-free transparent colors. Piñata inks are alcohol-based, indelible and moisture resistant when dry. They can be used on most any clean surface.
Techniques: rubber stamping, fine art, scrapbooking, faux finishing techniques, airbrush and staining wood/leather.
Ideas & Tips: Brayer Piñata onto vellum. Color glass drops and beads. Dye leaves, tint mica bits and color sea shells. Air-dry clays. Add color to grommets, eyelets and fasteners.
Surfaces: glass, leather, wood, paper, plastic, metal, metal foil and vinyl
Sizes – 17 Colors: 1/2 fl oz/14 ml (Item JFC1) and 4 fl oz/118 ml (Item JFC3)
Also available
- Clean Up Solution: 1 fl oz/29 ml (Item JFC1000) and 4 fl oz/118 ml (Item JFC2000)
- Claro Extender: 1 fl oz/29 ml (Item JFC1001) and 4 fl oz/118 ml (Item JFC2001)
So, let’s start at the very beginning- it’s a very good place to start! The inks are a thin, water consistency and emit an alcohol-type smell. If you are sensitive to smells, you’ll want to work near an open window or keep a fan going to ensure air circulation. The colors are very bright and saturated- a little goes a long way. You can thin inks with the Claro Extender OR use a bit of rubbing alcohol.
My Tip: keep a small mist bottle full of Claro Extender OR rubbing alcohol to help you thin the colors out and create cool mottled effects.
What I love about alcohol-based inks is that they are both translucent AND durable- most surfaces that won’t take ordinary paint (like glass, leather, vellum, and metal- in other words, non-porous surfaces) accept Pinata Inks brilliantly.
Shall we swatch?
From top: metal word, epoxy sticker, stamp on vellum, white cardstock,
rhinestone stickers, Style Stones, sticky-back canvas, and a metal bottlecap.
From Left: Glossy photo paper, resin paper, shrink plastic
Here’s a little video I took so you could see a demo of the inks in action.
So as you can see, you really need some kind of applicator or method to apply the inks. A cotton-swap will work for fine work or small objects, but a piece of batting on a wooden block with some hook-and-loop tape is better for larger surfaces.
So why might you want to use alcohol inks? Well, you can add color to rhinestones, beads, vellum, metal embellishents, and foils. Because the color is translucent, you’ll get color with out filling in the surface texture or obscuring the pattern of the original object. (That is, unless you use Blanco Blanco, which is the white opaque color.)
For example, I used some Pinata inks to tint some Frantage Fragments that were originally white.
Place a few drops of ink with the Fragments.
My Tip: place the object to be colored inside a plastic bag. This stuff is potent and will stain your fingers and clothes.
Spread the the Fragments on a plate or craft sheet to dry. Because the inks are alcohol-based, they will dry very quickly.
You can also use alcohol inks to tint translucent polymer clay- which is amazing. AND you can tint metal leafing to use on polymer clays- something that just is impossible with water-based paints and is difficult with acrylic paints.
Tint metal leafing to create polymer clay pieces. I have a tutorial on making Shamrock Pins using this method.
OR- tint liquid clays directly. I have a tutorial on that method here.
These inks are SO amazing- you can stamp with them, create backgrounds, and color just about anything. Pinata really works best on glossy or coated surfaces- they will preserve the glossy surface.
Ready for the pros and cons?
PROS:
- dry quickly
- clean up with rubbing alcohol
- vibrant, bright colors
- 17 colors, including opaque white and black
- translucent
- are amazing on glossy, non-porous surfaces
Cons:
- fast drying; use Claro Extender or rubbing alcohol to keep them wet
- fast drying; keep then tightly sealed when not in use
- strong smell
- will stain your fingers and clothes; wear rubber gloves for sure!
- not non-toxic; not recommended for use with children
You can purchase Pinata inks online and in stores, and the individual bottles run around $3 USD. You can also buy “Exciter Packs” with 8 colors and Claro Extender included. And YES, you can mix/mingle Pinata inks with other brands of alcohol-based inks and markers successfully.
I use mine at least once a month, and I hope you’ll give these inks a try! Stay tuned, we’ll have a special giveaway coming soon!
If you are considering purchasing Pinata Inks, I hope you’ll use my affiliate links:
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debb says
great info ! I love alcohol ink and have not tried this brand… I am intrigued by something .. resin paper- I have never heard of it- I must investigate! Thanks for the info
Brenda B says
Thanks Jennie! I haven’t used alcohol inks but after watching your video, I think I’ll give them a try. They seem so versatile. I really didn’t realize how many surfaces they could be used on.
Jenny says
Brenda- they really are amazing, and a little goes a long way. I bought an “Exciter Pack” 7 years ago and those inks still work great!
Julie H says
I’m wondering how these compare to Ranger Adorondack alcholhol inks. Do they behave any differently?
LaurieJay says
I love vellum and I love glossy paper/cardstock. I have lots of both and would be most inclined to try the alcohol inks on the glossy paper.
Paula says
Wow–I can’t wait to try this on some crystals and stone beads that need a little umph!! Great review!!
Bev says
I liked them on Facebook! Thanked them for the giveaway on Craft Test Dummies and also told them how awesome the Pinata is.
Mai nguyen says
What a versatile ink with beautiful effects. Hope to win this to use on many projects I have in mind thank you
Charo says
Your review peaked my interest in trying these products, while i was reading i thought about using them for changing the looks of my one of my plastic craft containers. Be sure that i will wear gloves!
Carmen Lucero says
I forgot to tell you which is my favorite technique – the glossy paper, but close second is the sequins you colored. Thanks!
Carmen L
Kim Gray says
I hope I win the Pinata Inks as I would love to try them with my paintings and cards. I loved the way you were able to tint your gold leafing. very cool. Thanks for the chance to win. Kim
buddz says
What a fabulous product — I certainly want to try Pinata Inks with papercraft and beading materials. (Jacquard is a trusted name and I am totally smitten with their Lumiere paints.)
Nadean b says
I really cant pick a favorite for I find the ink very interesting on its uses. My first attempt to use them would be on my metal file cabinet in dire need of makeover. Hey, who says I have to look at a gray file cabinet in my craft room. I say anything in that room is fair game.
Julia Jones says
These inks are new to me. I want to try everything and my poor little brain’s working like crazy thinking of all I can do! Hugs while flinging glitter at your feet, Julia <3
IRMA CONESA says
What I love most was the versatility of the Piñata Inks because they can be used on most of the materials, like glossy paper, cardstock, vellum, tissue paper! It’s very awesome that you can buy a product that is compatible with different materials. I just love this product!!!
Krisa says
Love the suggestion about the baggy and small pieces. Never thought to try that before, makes so much sense!
Valerie says
Wow!! Loving these inks. I love the idea of making patterns on shrink plastic! 🙂
CC in Wi says
Wow, do these look fun. I may have to ger some. I would love to win the giveaway sets.
Tegui says
Really interest in try this ink brand, I’m really like a product that you can use in a diversity of projects.
Nancy Johnston says
My absolutely favorite thing, or probably the most often used technique I love is using them as sprays over stencils. But I loved seeing your picture of using them on my rhinestones and fragments.
Thank you!
charlene says
Love the vibrancy of these inks–and all your tips!
charlene says
I liked them over on fb and mentioned you guys!
marguerite1997 says
I like the versatility of the inks and would like to incorporate them into some of my watercolor paintings. I presently use anther brand right now. I use them sparingly, because of their cost. Your inks are very affordable. I will certainly try them and send you back my opinion. Now I must FB like you folks. Thanks for this chance for this giveaway.
Tanya P says
I like them on FB and left note thanking them for this awesome giveaway 😉
Tanya P says
I also subscribed to their youtube channel!!
Jenny says
Tanya- this is not the post with the giveaway- this is the review. Please enter to win the set of inks HERE:
http://www.crafttestdummies.com/craft-news/giveaway-pinata-inks-from-jacquard/
Joyce says
These look so cool. I can’t wait to try them.
Joyce says
So love the idea of using it on Shrinkie Dinks! Look forward to trying!
Cittie Myers says
I have never heard of alcohol ink!!! I love that you can use them with air dry clays!!! Awesome…..I am heading to your youtube to find out more about them now!!! Ohhhh, and shrinkie Dinks….YEAH Dude!!!
Lori Bradford says
I have a couple inks in my craft stash now and Your prize would be such a welcome addition.
Lori Bradford says
Im checking them out on FB, getting updates will be so helpful.
Juliann aka The Sick Chick says
I also already Like them on Facebook but I went ahead and added a thanks for the giveaway too 🙂
Juliann aka The Sick Chick says
Hrm, I’m not sure if my first two comments posted, the are not showing up. I’ll repeat just in case:
I read the review when it first came out but somehow missed the giveaway part 🙂 The technique that looks the most intriguing to me is tinting polymer clay directly.
Juliann aka The Sick Chick says
(Also a repeat) I already follow them on YouTube, they are a great company 🙂
libby says
I like the idea of using this product on the shrink plastic – also the resin paper – like the rich colors
Dorothy Hurkett says
I have used Pinata for years…yes, I do use it on fabric intended for collage and not for washing. I use it on Polymer clay for rainbow tints etc…Wonderful product but then all Jacquard’s are wonderful. If you want to know more about how I use them…email me…
Jillian says
I have been testing these inks for several days now to die/paint the inside of jars to use and flower vases. They are not proving to be water resistant. Is there a specific length of time that I should be letting them dry in order to make them water resistant? Should they be baked like some other glass paints?
Thank you in advance for you feedback.
Jenny says
Jillian- really alcohol inks are not durable enough for underwater/heavy use. I’d recommend a paint made especially for glass, like the Martha Stewart Glass Paints. There are some lovely transparent colors that will give you the see-through look that alcohol inks have. Good luck!