Welcome to Our Marabu Alcohol Inks in Resin Review
When it comes to creating stunning epoxy resin art, the choice of alcohol inks can make all the difference. Marabu Alcohol Inks have been gaining a reputation as a go-to option for resin artists looking to take their projects to the next level. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the world of Marabu Alcohol Inks and explore whether they live up to the hype. Whether you’re a seasoned resin artist or just starting out, this review will help you decide if Marabu is the right choice for your creative endeavors.
What Determines The Quality Of Alcohol Inks For Resin?
There are a few qualities to look for when purchasing an alcohol ink for epoxy resin artwork. You do not need to spend exorbitant amounts of cash to get high-quality alcohol inks for your resin artwork.
With some research, you can find affordable alcohol ink products that are top quality. (Really you just need to check out our list because we already did the research and testing for you!)
Notably, however, the pricier products have all ranked very highly in our quality rankings, as they tend to be more pigmented meaning the colors do not fade as quickly.
Since we have done all the research and testing for you though, you may as well not break the bank.
The list below recommends the top alcohol inks to use in resin artwork on the market today, including the best budget alcohol inks.
The budget inks we have included below give the pricier options a run for their money because they perform just as well if not better.
The qualities we ranked these products on include pigmentation, color variety, white alcohol ink, solubility, vibrancy, packaging, and affordability.
Factors To Determine The Quality Of An Alcohol Ink To Use In Epoxy Resin
Each of the following categories was used to rank the alcohol links we used in our epoxy resin projects. Here is more detail about each of the factors used to rate the alcohol inks for epoxy resin that we tested:
Pigmentation
This is the amount of pigment that has been added to a dye. Highly pigmented alcohol inks are ideal as the color is more vibrant and will not fade as quickly.
Sometimes the price of alcohol ink is directly related to how pigmented an alcohol ink is, but we hope this changes as the medium gets more popular. Sometimes an alcohol ink with less pigment can be useful if you are trying to lightly color your resin with a transparent hue. For this category, we rank alcohol inks that are highly pigmented with higher scores and less pigmented alcohol inks with lower scores.
Color Variety
Most alcohol inks will come in a kit with multiple colors in them. The more colors the better! Some companies sell colors individually as well as in a kit with a variety of colors. A product receives a high score in this category if there are a variety of colors available for purchase.
White Alcohol Ink
When working with alcohol inks and resin, especially when experimenting with the petri dish method, it is important to have a quality white alcohol ink.
Some white alcohol inks are not of great quality, as the pigments in them are not very soluble. This poor-quality white alcohol ink ends up leaving coarse pigments in your projects that sink to the bottom.
Although white alcohol ink is meant to be heavier than colored alcohol ink, you do not want it to be coarse. It should be heavy and smooth so it blends well with the other colors.
Each brand has its own white alcohol ink and it is important to find a quality one.
Solubility
Quality alcohol ink will mix well into epoxy resin. It should easily color your epoxy resin if you are using it to tint your resin. Also, if using alcohol ink in a petri dish method, the alcohol ink should glide smoothly into the resin, not sit on top of it.
Packaging
Proper packaging is extremely important when it comes to alcohol inks.
Alcohol inks are permanent when they come in contact with fabrics. Also, it is very hard to get alcohol inks off your skin.
Therefore, packaging must be secure to avoid spills during transit.
The bottles should also be easy to reseal so they can be securely stored.
Another thing to keep in mind is how hard the individual alcohol ink bottles are to open and close. They should be smooth to open to avoid spilling on your work surface or skin.
Lastly, the style of an alcohol ink bottle is important. If the opening on top of the alcohol ink bottle is too large it becomes hard to control how much ink comes out of the bottle with each squeeze. If the opening is too small, it is too hard to squeeze ink out and you risk squeezing too hard and making a big mess!
There is a happy medium and we take this into consideration when ranking alcohol inks.
Affordability
This is self-explanatory. Obviously, the better the price, the higher the score.
However, we also keep in mind that a higher quality alcohol ink may be a bit more expensive. It is a trade-off for quality.
We have attempted to find a happy medium between price and quality in the products recommended below.
Lightfastness
Unfortunately, alcohol inks do not include a lightfastness rating like other art pigments. As a result, we did our own tests measuring whether the inks we tested would fade over time.
The alcohol inks recommended do not fade much over time. Remember to keep your pieces out of direct sunlight to avoid unnecessary fading over time. For more information, see above.
Out of almost 100 different brands of alcohol inks that we tested with epoxy resin, we only write reviews on the best.
How Our Rating System Works
The Scale Of Silicone Spoons
To rate the below-mentioned epoxy resins, we use the Scale of Silicone Spoons, with one silicone spoon being the lowest rating and five spoons being the highest. The spoonier the better!
Introducing Marabu Alcohol Inks for Resin Art
The Scale of Silicone Spoons | |
---|---|
White Ink | ★★★★★ |
Solubility | ★★★★★ |
Pigmentation | ★★★★★ |
Affordability | ★★★☆☆ |
Color Variety | ★★★★★ |
Packaging | ★★★★★ |
Lightfastness | ★★★★★ |
Let’s break down Marabu Alcohol Inks using our Silicone Spoon Scale to understand why they received specific ratings in each category.
1. White Ink (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
Marabu Alcohol Inks earned a perfect score of 5/5 Silicone Spoons for White Ink. The white ink’s opaqueness and brightness make it an ideal choice for creating vibrant highlights and achieving outstanding contrast in resin art. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall visual impact of your creations, making it an indispensable tool for resin artists.
2. Solubility (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
Marabu Alcohol Inks excel in solubility, receiving a flawless rating of 5/5 Silicone Spoons. These inks effortlessly dissolve and disperse in alcohol, making them incredibly easy to work with. Their high solubility ensures that artists can achieve seamless blending and transitions, resulting in smooth, visually appealing resin art.
3. Pigmentation (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
When it comes to pigmentation, Marabu Alcohol Inks shine brightly with a perfect score of 5/5 Silicone Spoons. These inks are highly concentrated with dye-based pigments, resulting in vivid, intense colors that remain vibrant in resin art. Their exceptional pigmentation ensures that your resin creations will boast rich, long-lasting hues that captivate the viewer.
4. Affordability (3/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 3/5 Silicone Spoons
In the category of affordability, Marabu Alcohol Inks received a respectable rating of 3/5 Silicone Spoons. While they offer outstanding quality and performance, they are priced at a level that some artists may find a bit higher in comparison to other alcohol ink brands. However, it’s essential to consider that the superior pigmentation and results may justify the slightly higher cost for those committed to top-tier resin art.
5. Color Variety (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
Marabu Alcohol Inks shine brightly in the color variety category, earning a perfect score of 5/5 Silicone Spoons. With a diverse spectrum of 70 stunning colors, including metallics, neons, Rainbow, and Color-Shift options, Marabu offers an extensive palette to fuel your creativity. The vast selection ensures that artists have virtually unlimited possibilities for creating unique, custom shades in their resin art.
6. Packaging (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
Marabu Alcohol Inks received a perfect score of 5/5 Silicone Spoons for their packaging. Each 20 ml (0.67 fl oz) bottle features a narrow precision tip, allowing for precise application and controlled dispensing of the ink. This thoughtful packaging design significantly enhances the artist’s ability to create intricate designs, patterns, and effects within their epoxy resin artwork. It ensures that every drop of ink goes exactly where it’s intended, minimizing waste and mess.
7. Lightfastness (5/5 Silicone Spoons)
Rating: 5/5 Silicone Spoons
Marabu Alcohol Inks achieved a top score of 5/5 Silicone Spoons in the lightfastness category. These inks are crafted with high-quality pigments and are known for their ability to retain their vibrant colors over time. The lightfastness of Marabu Alcohol Inks ensures that your resin art remains as brilliant and captivating as the day you created it, even when exposed to light or UV radiation.
In summary, Marabu Alcohol Inks have secured their place as a top choice for resin artists, with exceptional ratings across various categories. Their exceptional pigmentation, solubility, and lightfastness ensure that your resin creations will radiate with color and quality. While they may come at a slightly higher price point, the results they deliver more than justify the investment for artists seeking top-tier resin artistry. Whether you’re a seasoned resin artist or just beginning your creative journey, Marabu Alcohol Inks offer a vibrant palette of possibilities to elevate your resin art to new heights.
★★★★★
Great product. Was exactly what I wanted, vibrant colors.
Reviewed by Patricia White on August 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
★★★★☆
Love Marabu. Good quality bottles that don’t spray everywhere and allow for precise dispensing- but if you turn it completely upside down the mixing ball inside can slow the flow of the ink. The colors here are very bright and vivid but the metallic I did not like as much as other brands. For resin, these may not be as deep as you might want, but worth experimenting with. A little bit of a learning curve but not a bad one! I have been very happy with them for various projects.
Reviewed by B Wallis on May 12, 2023
Vine Customer Review of Free Product
★★★☆☆
They are ok, use them for resin projects and they perform decently. Not the highest quality but not garbage. Would buy again. Decent for price.
Reviewed by Hope4usyet on July 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
★★☆☆☆
The only colors that are vivid are the metallics, and the style of the bottle makes them messy. You have to shake them, and the ink seeps out and runs everywhere. If you’re painting with alcohol ink, these are probably not for you. Maybe they perform differently with resin? I can’t express my level of disappointment with these inks. They’re dull and so pastel that you really can’t see them. For the price, I was expecting much better. These were a complete letdown. To irritate me further, I purchased a color pack of purple shades, and 2 of them were included in this set. Never again will I buy Marabu inks.
Reviewed by Jennifer on August 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
★☆☆☆☆
This is my third time using alcohol inks and I must mention that with the Marabu Alcohol Ink bottles be sure to remove the lids BEFORE inserting a push pin to open them. If not, you will have a huge ink mess. Using alcohol ink requires trial-and-error but they are easy to use. I used some alcohol, alcohol blending solution, an air blower and blending picks to assist with moving the ink around. Alcohol ink can also be used on other items besides paper. You may also be able to practice your skills and techniques on a glass frame. If you don’t like your creations then remove it with alcohol or alcohol blending solution and begin again. Once I was finished I gave my artwork a border with a thick black Sharpie marker. I like this product and I am pleased with it.
Reviewed by Carla on September 14, 2022
Conclusion: Elevate Your Resin Artistry with Marabu Alcohol Inks
In the mesmerizing realm of resin artistry, the choice of materials can make all the difference. Marabu Alcohol Inks have made a significant impression on the creative community, offering a vibrant palette of colors and versatile possibilities for artists seeking to bring their resin creations to life.
With a spectrum of hues that inspire, these inks have the potential to elevate your craft to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned resin artist or just starting your journey, Marabu Alcohol Inks provide a canvas of possibilities. From vividly tinted jewelry to abstract masterpieces, the versatility of these inks knows no bounds.
Our exploration of Marabu Alcohol Inks unveiled a range of experiences. Some artists praised the intensity of colors, while others noted their performance in resin projects. Like any artistic medium, there’s a learning curve, but with practice, these inks can unlock your creativity and lead to stunning results.
While they may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, the potential for brilliant resin artistry is undeniable. So, if you’re seeking to add depth and dimension to your resin creations, Marabu Alcohol Inks deserve a place in your artistic toolkit.
In the end, the choice is yours, and art is all about experimentation and personal preference. Marabu Alcohol Inks offer a vivid, expressive journey for resin artists, and with a little creativity and exploration, you may discover your own unique way to turn liquid inspiration into resin masterpieces.
10 Responses
What an insightful and comprehensive guide to Marabu alcohol inks for resin art! This article truly unveils the best alcohol inks to enhance our resin creations. I appreciate the detailed explanations of each ink's properties, including their vibrant colours, transparency, and flow characteristics. The tips and techniques shared in the article will undoubtedly help artists achieve stunning results in their resin art projects. Thank you for sharing such valuable information and shedding light on the world of Marabu alcohol inks. I can't wait to incorporate these inks into my own resin artwork. Keep up the fantastic work!
Marios
So glad I could help Marios!
Thank you! I have been searching for an alcohol ink that will not fade in my resin artwork. Your review pointed me in the perfect direction. I would recommend this to others as well. Marabu has been my go-to since reading this review and I have been taking other product recommendations from Craftelot since. I have not been disappointed once. Thanks.
I found this blog post to be a fantastic resource for resin artists like myself. Exploring the world of alcohol inks can be both exciting and challenging, and this article does a wonderful job of shedding light on Marabu alcohol inks, which seem to be a game-changer for resin art. The detailed insights, recommendations, and showcased results provide a clear path for those looking to enhance their resin art projects with vibrant colors and stunning effects. Thanks for sharing this valuable information!
First I have to thank you for the very valuable information provided, I had no idea of this artwork before but now I have some vision about it.
I liked the way you described the product you are offering and the different aspects that a buyer should consider for a good product. The clarity about the pros and the cons of the product gives the option to the reader to make an informed decision about the product.
Generally, If I was looking for this product I would click on your link to buy the product and I congratulate you on this successful blog.
Hey, your blog post on Marabu Alcohol Inks is a treasure trove of information for artists and crafters. I particularly enjoyed how you not only introduced the product but delved into its unique characteristics, like the vibrant colors and versatility.
The step-by-step guide you provided for using these inks in various creative projects was incredibly helpful. It's evident that you put a lot of effort into explaining the techniques and sharing the stunning results.As I'm new to using alcohol inks, I'd love to hear more about the types of surfaces that work best with Marabu Alcohol Inks. Are there any substrates that are particularly receptive to these inks, or any surfaces that beginners should avoid? Your insights on this would be greatly appreciated!
Fantastic question Jake! Some of the best substrates to use Marabu Alcohol inks on are polypropylene and glossy papers, ceramics, metal, shrink plastic, vinyl, leather, glass, tumbler, and my personal favorite, epoxy resin! The versatility of these inks is pretty amazing. Please let me know what you decide to do! Would love to see your artwork.
Hi Ashley, this is such a helpful and detailed review of Marabu Alcohol Inks! I really appreciate how you explained the different qualities that make a good alcohol ink for resin art, and how you rated the products using the silicone spoon scale.
For those who are looking for reliable and affordable alcohol ink for resin art projects, this article is a must-read. Marabu Alcohol Inks seem to have everything you need: high pigmentation, wide color variety, easy solubility, convenient packaging, reasonable price, and excellent lightfastness. You will not regret giving them a try and seeing what amazing effects you can create with them.
Thank you so much for sharing your honest and informative review of Marabu Alcohol Inks.
I absolutely love this post! It's so informative and well-written. As someone who's into resin art, I really appreciate the detailed breakdown of what makes a quality alcohol ink for epoxy resin projects. The fact that you've done all the research and testing for us is a huge time-saver, and I'm excited to explore Marabu Alcohol Inks after reading this review. Your criteria for rating the alcohol inks, especially factors like pigmentation, color variety, and solubility, are spot on and will undoubtedly help resin artists make informed choices. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Thanks Liam. I figure since I am a bit of a resin art supplier addict, I may as well share my experiences with the products I really like with my readers. Maybe it will save someone else a bit of time and a headache. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.