How to Use Alcohol Ink with Crepe Paper and Card Stock

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Though it’s more common to use alcohol ink on glass, glossy paper, plastic, metal and other non-porous surfaces, alcohol ink is a great medium for adding color to crepe paper flowers, card stock projects, and floral stems. The brightly pigmented dye wicks into the paper creating an interesting effect similar to striped flower petals. One of my favorite ways to use alcohol ink is to apply green ink to ivory crepe paper to make variegated leaves. I’ve also experimented with using alcohol ink to add color variation to card stock leaves that were cut on my Silhouette cutting machine.

What is Alcohol Ink

Alcohol-based ink is fast drying, transparent dye. When the ink dries, the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind vibrant color. The transparent quality of alcohol ink lends itself to layering to create depth and new colors. The color is typically quite strong, but can be thinned to a lighter, more transparent wash with an alcohol blending solution or rubbing alcohol (91% Isopropyl Alcohol). Using a blending solution maintains the ink’s glossy finish. Mixing with rubbing alcohol creates a matte finish. Alcohol ink is the same type of dye found in high-end art markers such as those from Copic and Spectrum Noir, so the two work well together. 

Using Alcohol Ink on Crepe Paper

Hand-dyed petals add interest and depth to crepe paper flowers. Adding alcohol ink to crepe paper is as simple as touching the tip of the applicator to the edge of the crepe paper. I love the way the paper soaks up the dye and creates a striped effect. To create a more transparent color, thin the ink with rubbing alcohol. Or drag pre-cut crepe paper petals through plain rubbing alcohol, then tip the edges of the petal with undiluted ink. The wet crepe paper spreads the ink and creates a softer color effect.

Using Alcohol Ink on Card Stock

In the example below, a 65lb green card stock leaf was dipped into plain rubbing alcohol. The ink was then dripped onto the wet paper and the leaf slanted and rotated to move the ink around the shape. These leaves used both meadow green and lettuce green ink. To create more variation in the color, I sprinkled a little table salt onto the wet leaf and let it dry. Wiping the salt from the dried leaf leaves little light spots of texture.

If you're dipping paper into alcohol ink and getting your fingers wet, don't forget to wear gloves. This stuff has some staying power! Even after scrubbing my hands multiple times after dyeing the leaves, they look as though I'm transforming into the Incredible Hulk. Not cute!

Create Custom Color Floral Stem Wires with Alcohol Ink

Floral stem wire comes in a limited range of colors, mostly green, white and brown. But you can create a full range of stem colors by adding alcohol ink to white cloth-wrapped floral wire. While wearing gloves, touch the tip of the ink bottle to the wire and run ink down the stem. Pull the stem between your thumb and forefinger to spread the ink along the stem. If you'd like a lighter color, first dip the stem in rubbing alcohol, then add color. Or, mix color with rubbing alcohol in a tray, then dip the wire in the diluted ink. Blend colors to create an even larger range of colors.

Where to Buy Alcohol Ink

Ranger Tim Holtz brand alcohol ink is used in the examples above and comes in over 60 colors. You can find it in sets of three coordinating colors, full sets, and single bottles. Blick is a well-known art supply store that carries single bottles and sets. Browse the full range of alcohol ink colors on Blick.