Inexpensive Alcohol Inks on my Gel Press

WARNING: since filming this I’ve been advised spraying alcohol inks is not recommended as the fumes can be harmful, I was working next to a fully open window however I was still tasting the alcohol.
At last I'm answering the comment about "Do you ever use alcohol inks on your gel plate Ceri?
I also combined this video with a product review on an inexpensive set of alcohol inks I recently purchased from Hobby Craft here in the UK.
I've obviously never used alcohol inks on my gel plate before so this was me just trying to make it work, with mixed results.
Links as promised:
Rhonda Dohna Funky Leaf set: pmartiststudio...
Fran Baker Turtles Mask: pmartiststudio...
How to gel print basics: • How To Gel Print, the ...
Happy Crafting
Ceri
Etsy shop, Ceri The Crafter www.etsy.com/u...
FaceBook @Ceri Griffiths Creative Designs
Website www.cerigriffi...
Blog: Coming soon in 2023

[@Izabela29]

Hello Ceri, You can make your own cheap alcohol inks by recycling old markers which do not work anymore or a new cheap ones from pound store. It doesn't have to be alcohol markers, water based will work as well. All you need is open them up, reach out for the inside inked felt and felt tip and put it all together to a small spray or pipet bottle, fill 1/3 of the bottle with 90 or even 70% alcohol, give it a good shake, and you have it. Your own custom alcohol inks. Greetings from France!

[@CeriGriffiths]

Merci

[@chuckkolb1270]

Yes, acrylic paint on top of ink can be delightful pulls. Experimenting, play the spice of an artist's life.

[@susanscraftingspace2148]

Hi Ceri, great video. If you want ideas on how to use alcohol inks, watch Lavinia Stamps tutorials she uses Yupo card and a drier to mix and blend alcohol inks she also has brusho on the geli plate tutorials. Really worth watching for techniques.

[@jukes243]

This was fun. I can see turning everyone one of these lovelies into beautiful card fronts. Adding a bit of ephemera + bling = GORGEOUS. Thanks! Mr. Ceri. You've inspired me once again. Bye now. I'm off to craft! "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ~ Jesus

[@badbatdesigns]

Great topic & experiments. I had to chuckle when you stated you could taste it in the air😂

[@gerryannolson7502]

Alcohol inks are best on non-absorbent surfaces such as Yuppo paper or sometimes the back of photo paper. This allows the fluids to merge with each other in unique ways. Still, you have some great effects.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you I felt it may have something to do with the surface of the card.

[@michelemrich1598]

Hi Ceri! I just did a video on our Epapere channel where I experimented with alcohol inks on the gel plate. Very interesting and I did get some nice prints. I found I had better luck brayering the ink slightly and then letting it dry. I then added more ink and spritzed with alcohol and let it move around a bit. I then let it dry and picked it up with acrylic paint. I also used stencils and the blower to move the ink around. I love that you were able to experiment with the inks and we could watch!!

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you so much Michele I’ll bear in mind those tips for future ink play.

[@gryphonshale]

Ceri! I'm so happy to see you have a play. Real play, not a tutorial. And inky fingers too! It has an excitement.. what will happen.... what's that going to do... I loved it. Even the mishap of torn paper is so real - we've all had those moments while making. I have not tried the alcohol inks too much, but I did order more of them recently to give it a go. Thank you for such a fun video. ❤🧡💛

[@amyb82941]

💜💜💜 I only have two colors of this ink but only used them to age cello tape to make the tape vintage. Not really a fan of this ink but this was fun to watch. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you Amy.

[@jeannainnc8390]

Hey Ceri, the opening of this video is gold. I am a crafter not an artist I am always cautious not really adventurous. I loved how you assessed the inks and this gives me confidence to do the same and just have a play.

[@SusieMathews]

So glad you played. Makes me feel better knowing that everyone starts at the beginning. Thanks for sharing your time and talents

[@CeriGriffiths]

My pleasure!

[@dh7217]

I found the video very interesting. I have played with alcohol inks a couple of times on glossy photo paper, on crinkled aluminum foil, and uv resin. Smelly processes on the first two but great effects. The idea of acrylic backed prints is awesome but beyond my skill. So my hat's off to you for making it work with some cool success. Thank you for showing this!

[@janicem4382]

Your ability to experiment and think of alternatives to try is amazing to me.🤗

[@CeriGriffiths]

Oh thank you!

[@weaver7249]

You never let me down and I always learn from you. You videos are superb.😊

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you so much 😀

[@DarcysMixedMedia]

I especially liked the turtles and leaf ones. I need to play with them with masks like that. Next on my list is acrylic and India inks on the plate with acrylic paints. I think you did well. Alcohol inks are tricky in my opinion. Love&hugs to you and Biscuit. ❤❤

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you Darcy.

[@simone9623]

Hello Ceri, I love to see you experimenting, it is maybe a learning curve for you so it is for use all. Maybe you can use blending solution on the gell platte for nice effects. I only doupt it is good for your health to put alcohol inkt or alcohol alone in spray bottles? I never saw one in a store (maybe for a reason). These are so fine aerosols but I can be wrong. Please be careful everyone.Thank you Ceri for taking us along. Greet Simone

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you Simone I’ve since learned you shouldn’t spray the inks and I’ve added a warning in my description box.

[@robinsutton4952]

I love using alcohol inks on the gel plate. Very rarely use stencils. The speckled effects and using titanium to pull. I always make copies of original print (I use the prints for card backgrounds, journal covers). Thanks for your play today and sharing the results. 👍

[@carmelinasaunders9681]

Hi Ceri. I don’t think you should put in spray bottles. I have heard it is not great to breathe in. Love your videos

[@CeriGriffiths]

Good to know!

[@karenhughes3558]

Good morning Ceri! Looking forward to another one of your videos. Thanks for all you do 👍🌻

[@CeriGriffiths]

Good morning Karen

[@ludmilaschicchi8278]

Really enjoyed this video 😊. Especially love the turtle pages.

[@annfletcher4853]

I loved this video. I don't Gel Plate, but I love watching you do Gel Plating. I bought some alcohol inks a while back on sale. The only way I was going to get them. Still learning how to use them. I have never had any problems with your sound. The sound quality for me on this video was perfect as always. I hope it was better for everyone who had problems. I watched a video a long while back of a young woman who was using alcohol inks on her Gel Plate, and she used Hand Sanitizer on the Plate then put her inks on it to keep them fluid longer. I will try to find her Channel again and put it here. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@CeriGriffiths]

I’ve heard of her Ann but I can’t remember her name.

[@samiguttery2278]

Doing a live video is a splendid idea!! I’ve not done this techniques with inks so it was very interesting to watch you!

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you so much!

[@marnyr9610]

👍🏼 that was so interesting Ceri, thanks for taking us along for playtime, I thought the turtles and leaves were awesome.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@just4craftsngiggles454]

@J Mo Painting thought you would like to see this as you’re getting into alcohol inks and made mention of if they mixed with acrylic paints

[@lynette.]

I find the neon type colours work well with magazine black and white transfer prints just a touch brings an edge to them.

[@anne-mariesmith2625]

Wow, I enjoyed your play with alcohol inks. If you don't like to blow you can use a bulb syringe.

[@brendagoulette759]

I'm glad you let us watch you play. But wow good thing you covered your board. Lol the colors were really pretty.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you 🤗

[@nicolinavincelli9369]

Ceri you did it again great video. Thank you. I never had a problem with hearing your videos.👍👍👍👍👍

[@Monikapip]

Hi Ceri, that was fun to watch. You need to make yourself a spray box.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Great idea!!

[@nancydcurrystudio]

Ceri, such an exciting, experimental play! Many thanks for sharing your playtime with us. I just purchased affordable alcohol inks from Amazon and excited to give them a go!

[@99zanne]

I believe the alcohol inks are like any other media - price increases by the amount of pigment included. I also think that's why Ranger inks dried more rapidly than the other - there's more pigment and less alcohol in the Ranger brand. I really enjoyed watching you with these ideas! I like using photo inkjet printing paper or a type of paper called Kromecote, which is paper coated with clay and then buffed to a high sheen. TFS.

[@tutushale]

I listed your channel on mine directing them to your gel plate printing. Love your work and you did a really did a good job explaining for beginners, which I am. Have only been playing with gelli plate printing about a month. Long way of saying I really enjoy how you explain what is needed and not to fear creating.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Oh thank you, have fun playing.

[@jesseb5112]

The leaf is pretty. You got some fun results. The turtles are AMAZING!

[@annamarie8461]

This was really fun to watch, I've learned a lot, I'm new to all of this stuff. Thank you for sharing this experiment with us ❤

[@CeriGriffiths]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cathymoore1935]

Thank you Ceri! I love that you did this demo! It helps me to see if I want to try alcohol inks on my gel plate!

[@andreaharutunian3838]

Loved watching you PLAY with the alcohol inks 🎉

[@diedrastevenson300]

I like that you have never done this particular application. You can make the mistakes for me!🥰

[@just4craftsngiggles454]

Love the first set of turtles they came out amazing still watching can’t wait to see how the next set comes out

[@karver3440]

I enjoyed this video, the turtles and leafs are nice☺

[@CeriGriffiths]

They are thank you

[@jaynecowsert4641]

Loved watching you play! I haven’t tried the inks because of the cost. May adjust my thinking now. Thanks, Ceri!

[@valeriekeddie2980]

Ceri you never disappoint! This video was fabulous! I loved it from beginning to end!

[@victoriaguckian8578]

Ceri, Natasha from Treasure Books shows how to make your own alcohol inks . I don't know the difference between Ranger and the ones she (I) made. Might be interesting to try.

[@CeriGriffiths]

I’ve made my own alcohol inks in the past but they tended to lack the vibrancy I was looking for.

[@ILoveMaltese]

Hello, I found your page just last week and love it. Thank you.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Welcome!

[@seulbebe]

Question following: My plates arrived yesterday and, lucky me, your video was just available. I enjoyed it so much, as I do all of your work. I have watched the video about caring for one’s gel plates, thank you. A newbie question which may have already been answered: what are/where did you get the “platforms” on which your plates rest? I appreciate the encouragement and sharing attitude which runs throughout your videos.

[@CeriGriffiths]

I’m not sure if you’re aware but two weeks ago I posted a video which took you on a basics journey of gel plate printing, you may find it interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIecgZWhrNRopqssi=OBNS32ePuHnWBy52 The acrylic plates I have my gel plates upon are purely there for ease of use when I film so I can move them around, I purchased mine on eBay searching for plexiglass or acrylic sheets, in the states I believe you can purchase them in a hardware store as window panel replacements, some even cut them to size for you.

[@AmeliasMiMi]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching you have a play. Thank you for taking us along with you. I purchased some Pyxis brand alcohol inks a while back that I now can’t wait to go play with. I knew they weren’t near as expensive as Adirondack inks but since Ranger advertises the Pyxis brand tools to play with their brand inks, I figured the Pyxis inks surely couldn’t be all bad either. I will soon find out, thanks to your inspiring play! 😎👍🏻👍🏻🫶🏻

[@CeriGriffiths]

Have fun

[@babawawa1953]

This is great fun. I’ve wondered if I should try my few alcohol inks on my gel plate & now I’m more likely to give it a go. Such a fun video Ceri. I do love to watch you play.

[@sandyfranklin1123]

Sometimes hand sanitizer on the plate can create interesting effects. I believe Cheran Shields (Texture Junkies) haas videos on that.

[@janetgundrum9599]

Hi Ceri, you are correct when you say using alcohol inks is not an inexpensive technique. Inks are pricey, but to get the best results, Yupo or Graphix (plastic) paper is the best to use--and that is an investment for sure. But to get the ink to move around on the "paper" you need the Yupo. Otherwise, the ink is simply absorbed exactly as it looks on the gel plate. Fun video, though. Thanks.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you Janet.

[@silvergraniandhergrumpygno413]

Ceri-i love your adventureness nature! However please be careful-spraying alcohol causes it to vaporize making dangerous to breathing it in. This is a warning that Ranger has on their mister spray bottle--We do not recommend filling the Mister bottle or any sprayer with Alcohol Inks, Metallic and Snow Cap Mixatives, or Alcohol Ink Blending Solution as these products contain alcohol and should not be airborne.

[@heatherhigbee5144]

I thought the concern with those was with the resin that they contain. I know Holtz always says not to spray the blending solution because of that.

[@silvergraniandhergrumpygno413]

@@heatherhigbee5144 when alcohol is sprayed through a mister, it becomes a gaseous VOC that can easily be breathed in and can damage the body

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you I did make sure I was well ventilated.

[@carolgrentzel1430]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I learned a lot. All in all I think you pulled some beautiful prints. 😊

[@RickiNord]

Sound is good . 👍if you want to clean your stencil, just use plain alcohol on it

[@sisfidy58]

True about non-porous surfaces with alcohol inks. I used cheap photo paper for Christmas cards one year -- before I read that I shouldn't use photo paper -- and I loved the results. Yupo works great, if you can afford it. Try aluminum tape (used for sealing ducts, but NOT "duct tape"), acrylic sheets or plastic packaging. I guess you could even try a plastic zip-top bag -- they are non-porous too -- or aluminum foil backed with adhesive sheet. I love playing with them, and if you can get them on the cheap, good on you!! I think that Ranger makes a "Blending Solution" that causes some neat effects. I would also suggest watching a Tim Holtz video or two. He doesn't work with Gelly Plates, but gets some amazing results with non-porous surfaces, and I think that would really change your view.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you

[@bette-annflood835]

Never had that happen. But if you leave it to long I suppose anything can happen. Have fun for sure. I love my gelli plates.

[@jenniehawkins9998]

Your sound is excellent!

[@gwencook4405]

Thank you Ceri, I love your videos and always learn so much. Tiffany Solaro has some great videos using alcohol ink with gel plate. She uses alcohol lift reinker and hand sanitizer. Her prints are so beautiful.

[@susanasilva2737]

Loved it. To watch the way you did and tried and experimented. It's the only way to discover if you can do it or not and if you like or don't. Thanks Ceri 😊

[@CeriGriffiths]

Very true!

[@chuckkolb1270]

Key: nonporous "paper", 91% isopropyl alcohol

[@jacquibeaver5515]

Hi Ceri except the pink one that is supposed to be red I think I like them.

[@wernersgren5157]

Probably enough people have already mentioned this, but it isn’t recommended to make alcohol airborne as it can be quite unhealthy. Do make sure you have very good ventilation and are wearing a high quality mask when you play with your new sprays off camera, especially since you’ve previously mentioned a history of lung issues. We all care about your health. But do keep playing too!

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you, I was next to an open window and I’ve put a warning in the description box.

[@susananderson8428]

Very informative video. I think everything was successful. If you are experimenting without expectations then everything is a success! It is teaching what works and what doesn't work. So your success was If you do that, it comes out like this! How's that for rationalization? 😁 I appreciate you doing the experiments so we know somewhat to expect. I really do. Seeing what you do helps me to decide if I want to try inks or stick with paints . TFS very much. 💖💖💖

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you

[@vanessabroad4051]

Super great play time!!

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you 🤗

[@quirkyqueens]

I need to watch this just for the title 😂.

[@fazestorm4441]

Carrie I I used to use a sets I got from Amazon in America and they weren't too expensive but I used them to die paper clips and you can dye metal with them so the pigment was really good

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you

[@pollystuard7908]

Another way is to take a sharpie point and the inside and put in small container add 99.9 grain alcohol let them soak for several hours take tweezers and tke them out of the bottle squeeze as you take it out. Then you can make lots of colors that you want

[@jesseb5112]

I'm withthe people who say to be careful of spraying alcohol inks. The Ranger ones have a resin in them. I think that your inks can be fun!! I really like opaque white craft plastic, and opaque black craft plastic. My favorite brand of ultra glossy cardstock no longer seems to be available. I started with 4 ounce bottles of Jacquard's pinata alcohol inks. I LOVE them. I do have some ranger ones that I bought on a cyber monday bundle sale at Ranger. I don't prefer one over the other. The Jacquard inks in the 4 ounce bottles were MUCH cheaper by unit price when I bought them. I bought fewer colors, but larger amounts. In my opinion, the Jacquard inks thin down well with isopropyl alcohol. I prefer the Jacquard blending solution for the Ranger inks.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you Jesse, since filming I’ve learnt it’s not advisable to spray the alcohol inks however I was working next to an open window , I’ve also added a warning in the video description box so others will know. Thank you for the advice on that brand of inks.

[@OG-ux8sf]

The turtles worked perfectly.

[@aprilharvey2225]

Froyle has had some success with a different method. Have a look

[@therealdonnawagner]

Very cool experimenting! Thank you for sharing. I've never really thought about doing alcohol inks on the gel plate, but I may try it. You got some especially cool results dropping the isopropyl on with your fingers. 😊 Just a health FYI, according to Tim Holtz (per his Livestream demonstrations), alcohol inks and blending solution should never be aerosolized (in a spray bottle or by using a straw to the mouth). Both methods give the ink/solution too much ability to get into your lungs. Because they contain resins that make them "set", getting them into your lungs would not be good. Isopropyl, on the other hand, does not contain the resins so you can put that into a spray bottle for different effects. The hand blower Ranger sells is not enough to aerosolize the medium, plus it keeps your face sufficiently away from everything, so that is a safe method for moving inks with air. Stay safe and have fun! 😃

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you I was made aware after filming but it’s good to be reminded. I suffer from asthma so I’m always careful.

[@bette-annflood835]

Glossy paper works best. Or photo paper. Cardstock absorbs the ink. It does more if it sits on top and then move it with either more ink or alcohol. They blow on it just to make more designs. Its so fun when you do this directly onto paper. Glossy that is.

[@bette-annflood835]

The paint moves the ink dry or wet.

[@bette-annflood835]

Retry it with photo glossy paper

[@CeriGriffiths]

I’ve always been warned not to use photo paper on my gel plate because apparently it sticks however I’ll look into that further now.

[@sherizapara2992]

Add alcohol to the transferred ink, then it would dry faster, not affect the colour.

[@marshaglass2350]

Be aware that when using alcohol inks and alcohol, it's important to have good ventilation, such as a fan and/or an open window to protect your lungs.

[@CeriGriffiths]

Oh definitely had good circulation as I’m asthmatic

[@ethicsexistentialism4191]

Hi Ceri, look up to see how Tiffany Solorio does alcohol ink on the gel plate👍 she's great 😁 hand sanitizer on the plate is her trick!😉

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you, will do

[@evandagreenwood7028]

I love my alcohol inks on my plate and generally brayer 😊

[@CeriGriffiths]

I feel I need to learn more and try again.

[@annmanning5552]

The inks may well have been more vibrant on a glossy paper Yupo for instance

[@CeriGriffiths]

Very true, I did think it had something to do with the card stock I was using.

[@ruthkrening778]

👍

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

I think it takes too much ink to use it on a gel plate plus it stains everything. I appreciate your play but I much prefer the results direct on yupo. Still watching tho!

[@aprilharvey2225]

👍🏻

[@brant8642]

🎉 😊

[@SpydersCorner]

😊

[@MyDjturner]

👍

[@fazestorm4441]

Blow it with a straw or one of those pump things that you use in your hands or spray it with some more alcohol

[@fazestorm4441]

There are different kinds of type you mix with plastics or the types of used for using are art like in a gun an air gun and there are types you use for blowing on you know card stock or or photo paper many times you can call the dealer and there's someone there you can chat with and ask questions but I think they're pretty much the same I think the alcohol is making it saturate into the paper you're using two tests the paper you're using to test it on it's more like a cardboard and it's absorbing the alcohol and normally I think you it's not that's not something you do you want it to smooth smooth across the across the surface

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you so much for the useful information.

[@sandyfranklin1123]

I think there are warnings about not using alcohol inks as a spray! Please check before you spray them!

[@CeriGriffiths]

I think it may have to do with the fumes as they were noticeably stronger when sprayed.

[@LydiaGranitto]

It has to do with something in the ink and breathing in the particles a spray produces - not recommended and very dangerous - when I watched videos before I started using alcohol inks, I remember them emphasizing to not spray the inks.

[@jenniferlarsonjaylaplans]

You may be thinking of the blending solution used with alcohol inks - as it contains resin it should never be sprayed

[@carolynreynolds7779]

👍sound

[@fazestorm4441]

That's pretty

[@Karen3263]

❤👍🏼

[@CarolRichards-fy7rz]

👍❤️

[@loristone6313]

What would happen if you used glossy paper? Thanks for playing with these. I've never purchased alcohol inks because I don't know what to use them for.

[@marshaglass2350]

Glossy paper is just too absorbent. The only way to get anything pretty is to use Yupo (or any synthetic polypropylene substrate) or very inexpensive back of photo paper for inkjets. You can put a couple of coats of gel medium or even house paint on card stock to create a Yupo effect.

[@loristone6313]

@@marshaglass2350 Thanks for the info! I had to look up was Yupo was. 😊 I love difference kinds of papers so I might have to get some and play.

[@beverlywilsonellisonsr.1397]

💯💯💯💯💯💯👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼😎😎

[@Cuttlebuglover]

Kate Crane has a short video using alcohol inks on gel plates kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnWTYoOBiZWpa9ksi=ekQbkp4RZgP7Oh7i. Having said that, I’ve not managed to achieve very good results when I’ve tried. Perhaps I should try again after watching your experimenting. ❤

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you I'll check it out

[@cathydaniels6203]

Braier gel hand sanitizer on plate first then add ink. I will try and find who I watched and add it to my comment.

[@cathydaniels6203]

kzbin.infotTTzM4K0qK0?si=hhF8s5J5D_hjTS2s

[@CeriGriffiths]

Thank you

[@carols1030]

I have better success with yupo paper or photographic paper .i picked up at a yard sale. Some of your problems are because of using porous paper.

[@CeriGriffiths]

I thought as much Carol.

[@fazestorm4441]

You might as well face it you're addicted to paint

[@oldgit9948]

👍

[@novallasuter8197]

👍

[@carolbain7904]

👍

[@karencrittenden414]

👍