Tinting Polymer Clay With Pinata Alcohol Inks

Video #728: In this video you will see why it takes much less ink to color translucent clay as compared to white polymer clay... More Info: www.beadsandbea... Polymer Clay Tutor.
Today I am going to teach you about tinting polymer clay with Pinata Colored Alcohol Inks.
Recently I received a small selection of Pinata Alcohol Inks from Jacquard, and was testing saturation by mixing the inks into both Translucent and White Polymer clay. Seeing the samples side by side, and noticing the difference in how the pigment looks in white versus translucent clay, it occurred to me that most people may not actually understand how adding a pigment like alcohol ink, actually behaves with polymer clay.
We have been using alcohol inks with polymer clay for years. In fact I have a sample of a necklace I did for a tutorial done back in 2012, called Frosted Rainbow Flower Beads Tutorial. I used Adirondack Alcohol Inks in that project. I also have some samples of other tutorials using alcohol inks. So we know that inks in general, are compatible with polymer clay.
Up until now I hadn't had the opportunity to try the Pinata Color Inks from Jacquard. They don't have them in my local Michaels and I just hadn't gotten around to ordering them online.
So I made up some sample chips and a small batch of beads and cabochons to test the colors and the saturation of the ink.
As you will see form the baked sample chips, the color in the translucent sample is much darker and richer than the samples of the inks mixed into the white clay. In fact, the sample of translucent with only 1 drop of the Pinata ink is multiple times darker than the sample of white clay mixed with 3 drops of ink.
The reason for this is because the white clay, isn't just clay without any color... it is clay that contains a white pigment. So when the white pigment mixes with the colored pigment of the alcohol ink, it creates a pastel color. Whereas when the alcohol ink pigment mixes into the translucent, there is no pigment particles to mix with, so it tints the translucent clay whatever color the ink pigment is.
Watching the video will help you to visualize all this, much better than just reading my explanation.
So... to anyone that asks if it is possible to just buy white polymer clay, and make your own colors by adding alcohol ink, paint, powders etc. (a common questions)... the answer is yes and no.
Yes you can tint the clay to make new colors... but no, you can't really make the same deeply saturated opaque colors that you can buy in the colored clay. You would need the same kind of highly saturated pigments that the manufacturers use, along with lots of patience and experimenting to get the right formula figured out. And by then, it would be much more expensive and much harder to do then just buying the opaque colors of polymer clay.
Using the inks on the outside is a completely different story though, which will need to be told on another day.
Related Resource: Pinata Inks On Amazon... amzn.to/1ROjLBW
Related Video: Frosted Rainbow Flower Beads Polymer Clay Tutorial... www.beadsandbea...
Related Video: Mixed Media Art Sheets Technique... www.beadsandbea...
Related Video: Polymer Clay Batik Technique... www.beadsandbea...
Related Article: Using Alcohol Ink With Polymer Clay... www.beadsandbea...
And... more info about today's video is at my blog... www.beadsandbea...
Cindy Lietz & Doug Lietz Social Links:
/ polymerclaytutor
/ polymerclay
/ pctutor
/ polymerclaytips

[@cinzialastrega1635]

I really appreciate these "labs" to test how different products work. I don't think anyone else does this and it's very interesting and informative.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you! Yeah testing is my thing! So glad to hear that it helps you!

[@KyaCloud]

Cindy, I just got my first set of Alcohol Inks, got the Pinata ones and now watching your tuts before I start anything! Thank you for all your work and tutorials! -Sandy

[@JanineMKartist]

Oh I’m glad I saw this about letting it dry first.

[@Justthefurofus]

I wonder could you use any type of ink on polymer clay?

[@kristinbenton9340]

Thank you for this! I am now excited go use my alcohol inks with polymer clay! I will use both white and translucent clay to get a range of beautiful colors!

[@Sillywabbit5]

What a beautiful dogwood. I’m sure you made it. I’ve got plenty of ink to try out on my clay. Love being an artist. Love gathering and learning all the “tools”. Thanks for the ideas.

[@davidwilkes9752]

After colouring the clay, can I use a gloss nail varnish on them to make them really glossy and put them under a UV lamp to harden.

[@estherschmidt2805]

Hi Cindy! Thanks so much for this video. I have not experimented much with alcohol inks, but this was great. a lot of good information.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thanks Esther, glad to be of help! :)

[@wendyorlowski3963]

Thanks Cindy. Lots of useful information with beautiful examples.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

You're welcome Wendy! Thanks for the compliments! :)

[@MikeCampo]

Have you noticed any color fading with these inks? The Pinata site says they pick lightfast pigments, but I'm not sure how they hold up compared to other mediums, like say acrylics.

[@MC-gb9rn]

Thank you for your informative video. This question may have been asked, but, is there any color change when the clay is baked?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

It will all depend on the type of clay (solid color clays vs translucents), brand of clay or ink, color and how much you use in your mix as to whether you will see a color shift after baking. I suggest you make test strips that you can compare between raw and baked, to figure out whether the color shift (if there is one) is something you can work with or not. :)

[@MC-gb9rn]

@@PolymerClayTutor Good advice, thank you. Once businesses reopen,I will purchase some alcohol ink, and I will keep you posted on the outcomes. Be safe and stay healthy♥️♥️

[@francineschmidt7593]

What is the mixture for alcohol ink? I bought the ingredients for it. Thanks, Francine Schmidt

[@Heather-fz6xe]

Do you use a mask when using alcohol inks? is it bad to breathe in?

[@xXxLirianOlendilxXx]

I love your videos! I have a problem with coloring polymer clay, when i paint it with acrylic after baking i find the piece being sticky. Did that ever happen to you? Do you have any tip please?

[@melissayap8716]

Will the color of the tint fade over time? Your videos are all so informative btw!

[@abbyella2370]

I love your 'piñata stones'! I think I will try this method when I next craft - thanks for the knowledge & inspiration! :)

[@shelinhagoncalves9578]

could you use alcohol ink on any clay or does it have to be special clay like the clay that you use when you do sculptures or when you use when you use clay to make a flower pot and things like that could you use alcohol ink to make designs on those clays

[@dianefink1978]

👍😀 Can you still use alcohol inks for air dry clay by DAS

[@Iamrahcole]

would I need to seal clays tinted with alcohol ink?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Not if you mixed them into the clay.

[@willysmom1]

What about using something like Brusho powders? I've been itching to try it, but clay is so new to me and I admit to being a little intimidated . Your videos are so helpful. Thanks.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you for your kind words! As far as the Brusho Powders... maybe? I haven't tried them yet, though have been thinking of getting some to test them out. If you end up trying them, let me know. (In regards to getting intimidated by this medium, don't be. It's just a hunk of plastic clay. Just play with it. If it turns out crappy, ball it up and try again. As with any skill, it takes some time to master, but it doesn't have the right to intimidate you. A child is not intimidated by an Olympic runner, when it learns to walk. It just tries to take a step and falls over... then tries again, until they learn to walk. Running is a little ways down the road!) :)

[@frankieorourke6145]

thanks for the great tutorial. do you by chance have any examples or experience mixing translucent clay + white clay+ alcohol ink?

[@petrinabeads1225]

Thanks for the video, Cindy--it was very informative. I haven't yet used alcohol inks with clay but you have inspired me to do so. Just to be sure, were you using Premo translucent clay? Also, do you find a difference among the different brands of translucent clay when using alcohol inks?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+Petrina Beads I used Premo White Translucent. Each brand would look a tiny bit different but pretty similar. It would be a fun thing to test side by side to see how much of a difference though.

[@charulgupta3986]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I have one question, we can use premo clay with alcohol inks also bcz premo translucent clay is not available. Sculpey premo white I have. So to make different shades I can use pinata alcohol ink with premo clay not translucent. Looking forward for your reply 😊

[@PolymerClayTutor]

You can mix alcohol ink with white clay and not translucent, but you will end up with only pastel colors because of the white pigment in the clay mixing with the ink. The only way to get darker colors is to use translucent.

[@charulgupta3986]

@@PolymerClayTutor okay thank u so much for your reply. And just for curiosity, how long clay survive. Like if I order clay and keep that for 2 months or more, will that be okay with clay ? In the sense.. If I have not opened that clay packet and store that for further use will that be okay or it get ruined if I keep in room temperature ??

[@kweesti]

Do you think if you mix white clay and translucent with the green tint that it would make a lighter translucent jade color ?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Yes probably but you will need to do some testing to create the exact color you want.

[@kweesti]

PolymerClayTutor thank you 🙂

[@marilynmulkey6095]

Can I use acrylic ink instead of alcohol ink?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Maybe, but since I haven't tested that yet, you would need to test it yourself to be sure. From what I gather, acrylic inks work well on the outside of the clay (something I haven't tried yet either, need to buy some), but as far as mixing into the clay, who knows? I might work. Acrylics and polymer clay, usually play nice with each other. If you end up testing it, let me know!

[@potatoqueen10]

Hello Cindy~ I'm trying to make a thick roundish heart shaped kind of charm that has an ombre blend, but I'm not exactly sure how to get the colors to look even and smooth. Should I make a plug out of a skinner blend and roll it into a ball and go from there? (I dont have a pasta machine so I'm trying to use the teardrop method)

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+Melody Park It can be done, but you pretty much have to make a blended block aka Skinner Blend Plug (look for the video on how to make that) and then carve the block into the shape you want. I would consider it an Intermediate to advanced level skill that will take some practice to get to look smooth. There are also some other techniques that you could so using flat blended sheets but they too are a little on the advanced side. Don't know where your skill set is at but it is definitely something that is possible.

[@potatoqueen10]

+PolymerClayTutor thank you very much!

[@hkreations5108]

Another great video! I was worried that your sleeve was going to get in your ink samples though, lol!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+HKreations :)

[@hiba]

Thanx for the video Cindy.. n is it fine to mix white polymer clay with any acrylic paint?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+Hiba Sharafuddin Sometimes... depends on the brand and the paint. It is something you have to test to be sure. I will try and do a video in the future.

[@hiba]

Yeeii.. Thanx.. will be waiting for that.. :D

[@larissaamurov7819]

I liked very much. I want so bad to test alcohol inks in polymer clay but I can't find it here in Brazil. Thanks for the tips.

[@gley69]

+Larissa Amurov Fiquei pensando na sua pergunta e quem sabe talvez com anilina funcione?

[@larissaamurov7819]

Gleyce Cruz eu comprei anilina a óleo faz um tempinho, mas ainda não testei. Ela é um pimento bem forte, só de eu abrir a tampinha já manchou bem mimha mão. Acho que teria que usar bem pouquinho. Também não sei se comprei a certa, parece que tem uma anilina a álcool. Mas pra dizer a verdade sabe o que eu estou usando que acho que deve ser bem proximo desse alcohol inks? Corante alimentício! Pois é a composição dele é água, álcool etílico e corantes artificiais. Eu encontrei nessas lojas de produtos para confeiteiros, paguei 1,30 da marca arcolor e na translucida fica bem interessante, praticamente igual ao que foi mostrado no vídeo. No entrando é necessário usar beeeem pouquinho pois ele é muito pigmentado e dependendo da quantidade de massa é melhor usar a menor gota que conseguir. Bjs! 😉

[@gley69]

+Larissa Amurov Hummm interessante Larissa, e como a clay se comportou depois de assada? Vou comprar anilinas (alimentícia e a de álcool) para experimentar!

[@larissaamurov7819]

Se comportou muito bem rsrsrs.... Ficou como uma clay normal, a cor pegou muito bem e não houve alteraçao nenhuma depois da queima. Ainda lixei a peça e envernizei. Vou tentar te enviar uma foto pelo g+. Ah se vc testar a anilina me fala como ficou! Bjs!

[@shwetajanardhan8462]

can u paint on polymer clay using alcohol inks? sorry if the question is lame :D If not, can u suggest any paints that can be used to paint on polymer clay? Thanks :)

[@KyaCloud]

Shweta Janardhan yes you can, you can also use acrylic paints quite nicely on baked pieces.

[@sweetb2006]

Thank you! You've saved a Christmas gift, from a little girl to her mom from disaster. ❤️

[@PolymerClayTutor]

You are very welcome! Have a lovely Christmas!

[@anamunoz2287]

Can i bake the clay after painting it with piñata ink?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Yes you can! Just let it dry first.

[@SouthernAngelsStamping]

What about using chalk pastels? I have seen people use those.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+Tammy Dameron (Southern Angels Boutique) You can do that too. It will look different but it works. I do have a video on using chalks with polymer clay that you may want to check out.

[@SouthernAngelsStamping]

+PolymerClayTutor Thank you.. I did and I remember I have seen it before. Can any inks be used to color the clay?

[@sasi5771]

Shall we use other brands in alcohol ink???

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Yes, any brand of alcohol ink should work the same way... but of course... It's Always Best to Test!

[@sasi5771]

Where can i buy the clay actually iam from India here fimo, sculpey, premo didn't available to but, can u plz suggest me where should i buy the clay and which website was supplying by international wide mam??????????

[@neeveeyah]

@@sasi5771 try Etsy to purchase clay

[@paulahernandez7367]

So helpful thanks!!

[@HeartAliveToday]

Is polymer clay the same thing as collage clay?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

I don't think so.

[@marymary5494]

Hi.....I'm a newbie to polymer clay. Is it possible to paint using alcohol inks on clay once it has been baked. ❤️ your videos.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

Thank you Mary! Yes you can use them on baked clay as well.

[@teachermorgan2915]

Thanks for this video.

[@patriotguardharleyriders9767]

very helpful...thank you!

[@drawingangel2]

Instead of buying new polymer clay colors, can I just buy the white polymer clay and make different clay colors using the alcohol ink? And store them to use for later?

[@PolymerClayTutor]

You can but like I mentioned in the video, mixing the inks with white will only give you pastel colors. If you want darker colors you have to use translucent.

[@allesnixmitanne3738]

Thank you so much for this Video

[@lisasmith1565]

thanks Cindi very helpful video

[@mayrakopjansen2814]

Thank you so much

[@planetearth1705]

Could you achieve subtle and striking shades with other colors besides white?

[@Karai9]

Those "piñata stones" are beautiful Cindy. They remind me very much of bloodstone. I might have to try and make some now lol

[@melodief3848]

Very cool.

[@sifouniospottery]

Excellent video. I enjoy it very much. Thank you! Sifoutv Pottery

[@anna-eq4kx]

Cool idea :)!

[@valerieheitfield3563]

Kotoristudy .

[@rationalskeptic1]

Great video, thanks for the info:) I was noticing that in your videos at the end you seem to have a bit of trouble either remembering or wording the "exit" info. May I suggest (to help you out! Please don't take this as being critical because I absolutely LOVE you), that you make one "exit" segment and add all of the things you want to say in that, kind of like how you have an intro. I hope you get what I'm saying, lol. It would make it so easy on you, and you wouldn't have to worry about remembering all the things you have to say! everyone would still get all the info you're trying to convey, in a nice little video package at the end:) Just an idea! Hope I didn't offend you. If I made videos I have a feeling I'd do the same thing too!

[@PolymerClayTutor]

+quinna Thank you for your advice Quinna! I do appreciate what you have to say. I know that sometimes my endings can be a little awkward and I often fumble around trying to find the right words to say goodbye... but in all honesty, I actually think that it makes the videos more real. The beginning is already a little robotic, but I have found when I say the same thing at the beggining of every video, I know how to get the ball rolling. After that I pretty much 'wing it'. No scripts, just a strong understanding of what I want to teach and that's it. It is how my brain works and I have found that if I try to control my words too much, I end up coming across very stiff. Perhaps my unplanned endings, may keep people around to see if I screw it up? Who knows... I do try and improve every time I film, but after 729 episodes, you'd think I'd be better at a smooth exit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this though. It means a lot that you care enough to help me out. :)

[@cinzialastrega1635]

@@PolymerClayTutor You're very clear, and although you are clearly "speaking" (not reading or reciting), you don't waste the viewers' time: you move along quickly without a lot of annoying vocal tics.

[@PolymerClayTutor]

@@cinzialastrega1635 Thank you so so much for saying that! I don't like to use a script because I like to be more natural (besides I would probably go off script anyways), but it is tricky to be perfect, especially if I am tired or stressed out. I appreciate your kind words and am glad that my style works for you. 💖💖💖

[@ilikefood7ever]

Goodness Cindy you didn't put an eñe, you put an N. You silly human. Now is Pin-ah-ta.