My Favorite Alcohol Inks and Where to Buy Them
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Alcohol ink is one of my absolute favorite mediums. It is my “go to” the last few years for planters, Art and Mixed Media creations. Its vibrant colors, fluid movement, and unpredictability make it perfect for creating stunning, abstract designs. Whether I’m painting planters or creating functional art pieces, alcohol ink is a staple in my artistic toolbox.
If you’re new to alcohol ink or just looking to expand your collection, I’ll walk you through some of the best places to purchase it, focusing on two brands I love: Copic and Ranger.
Where to Buy Alcohol Ink
When it comes to sourcing alcohol ink, not all stores are created equal. Finding the right brand and quality is crucial for achieving the effects you want. Two of my top recommendations are Blick Art Materials and Ranger, which both offer a great selection of alcohol inks.
1. Blick Art Materials
Blick is one of my go-to spots for buying art supplies. With a wide selection of brands and products, it’s the perfect place to find both high-quality alcohol inks and everything else you need for your projects.
- Copic Inks at Blick If you’re a fan of alcohol markers or looking for versatile alcohol ink options, Copic is a fantastic brand. Copic markers are refillable, and their alcohol ink refills come in a wide array of colors. What’s great about Copic ink is that you can use it in markers, but also for fluid art, pouring techniques, and even painting planters like I do! Blick offers the full range of Copic refill inks, and they often run sales, making it more affordable to stock up. You can find Copic Ink at Blick here.
- Ranger Alcohol Inks at Blick Another brand that I frequently turn to is Ranger. Known for its bold, rich pigments, Ranger’s alcohol inks are perfect for vibrant and dynamic artwork. Blick carries the entire line of Ranger alcohol inks, including multi-packs, which is perfect if you’re just starting out or want to expand your color palette quickly. They also carry Ranger’s blending solution, which is an essential tool for creating those beautiful gradient effects with alcohol ink. You can find Ranger Alcohol Ink at Blick here.
2. Ranger Inks (Direct from the Source)
If you’re loyal to Ranger, you can also shop directly from their website. Ranger offers the latest collections of alcohol inks, often releasing limited edition sets that you won’t find in other stores. While you can find a lot of Ranger products at Blick, purchasing directly from Ranger can be a great option if you’re looking for exclusive sets or new color releases. You can find Ink on the Ranger site here.
Shopping from Ranger’s website also gives you access to their alcohol ink tools and accessories, like blending tools, special applicators, and storage containers, which can make working with alcohol ink even more fun and manageable. The link for the Home Page at Ranger is found here, Use the drop-down menu to find everything else they have to offer.
Why Copic and Ranger?
So why do I recommend Copic and Ranger? Both brands offer high-quality, long-lasting alcohol inks with intense pigmentation, and their inks are perfect for a wide range of projects.
Ranger inks are known for their vibrant, strong hues that stay vivid even when diluted or mixed. The consistency of their inks makes them a favorite for abstract artists like me.
Copic inks are unique because they’re designed to be used in both markers and for other applications. They’re versatile and easy to work with.
I do love them both and will often use several colors of each in my work.
Ceramic Planter painted with Ranger Slate alcohol ink and accented with Pinata Brass.
I use Pinata for accenting my work and I usually buy them from Amazon. They also come in different sizes.
Tips for Shopping Alcohol Inks
- Buy in Sets: Whether from Blick or directly from Ranger, purchasing alcohol inks in sets is often the best way to save money and experiment with multiple colors.
- Look for Sales: Blick frequently has sales on alcohol inks, especially during back-to-school seasons or art supply promotions. Keep an eye out!
- Don’t Forget the Tools: Alcohol inks are fun to work with, but having the right tools can elevate your work. Blending solutions, applicators, and brushes designed for alcohol inks are must-haves.
Conclusion
Alcohol ink is such a rewarding and versatile medium, and with brands like Copic and Ranger, you can be sure you’re working with some of the best quality inks available. Whether you shop at Blick Art Materials or go straight to the source with Ranger, both are excellent places to find everything you need for your next alcohol ink project. You can also find Ink at Jo Ann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby and even Etsy.
What’s your favorite brand of alcohol ink? Let me know in the comments below!
Low Bowl Planter painted with Ranger Turquoise Alcohol Ink.