What is Acrylic ink?

It is a popular medium for painting miniatures and scale models. It is a type of paint that is made from acrylic resin, which gives it a water-resistant, quick-drying, and durable quality. They are known in general for their intense pigmentation, which makes them a great option for creating bold and vibrant colors. 

One of the biggest advantages of using them for wargame miniature and scale model painting is their versatility. This product can be used for a wide range of techniques, including washes, glazes, filters, and dipping. It is also suitable for use with a variety of tools, including brushes, airbrushes, and pens. This makes it a great option for painters who want to experiment with different techniques and tools to achieve a range of effects.

Another benefit is its durability. Once it has dried, it will be water-resistant and won't easily smudge or rub off. This makes it a great choice for miniature and scale model painting, where the finished product may be handled frequently. Their durability also means that finished models can be displayed without the risk of the paint fading or flaking off over time.

They also have excellent flow properties, which means it can easily flow into the crevices and recesses of a miniature or scale model. This makes it ideal for creating shadows, highlights, and other subtle details that can be difficult to achieve with other types of paint. The general intense pigmentation means that it can be used to create smooth gradients and blends, which can help to create a more realistic and lifelike effect.

One of the best things about them is that it is available in a wide range of colors. This means that painters can choose from a range of hues to create the exact effect they want, whether that be a realistic representation of a particular subject or a more stylized, fantastical look. In addition to individual colors, paint sets are also available, offering curated color selections tailored for specific effects and styles. Acrylic inks can also be mixed with other colors or mediums to create custom shades and effects, which gives painters even more creative control.

Types of Acrylic inks

Green Stuff World offers a variety of acrylic paints for miniature and scale model painting. Here are some of the different types of inks that we offer:

• Intensity range: These paints are very saturated in color and are carefully formulated to intensify colors, making them ideal for vivid colors, glazes, filters, and blends. They have a matte finish and are suitable for use with both brushes and airbrushes.
• Wash range: Green Stuff World wash inks are less pigmented and saturated, designed to flow into the nooks and crannies of models, creating shadows and depth. They are available in a range of colors and have a matte finish.
• Candy range: They are highly transparent with a glossy finish, creating an effect of depth and sheen when applied. They are available in a wide range of colors and can be used to create various effects such as shading and color transitions, and are especially recommended for coloring metallic and crystal clear elements.
• Fluorescents: Green Stuff World's fluorescent paints could be somehow considered a kind of ink but not exactly the same. They are designed to glow under UV light, making them ideal for creating eye-catching effects on models. They are available in a range of colors and have a matte finish.
• Dipping Inks: They flow into the gaps and crevices almost painting and degrading at the same time. They are perfect for those looking for a fast and efficient painting solution to add contrast to their miniatures and free up more time for gameplay, the speedpainting range of inks is the best choice on the market. 
• High-concentration inks: They are very fluid inks that can be used directly on miniatures or airbrushed. Despite being more liquid, their pigmentation is much higher than that of other inks, which allows them to be diluted without noticing any reduction in pigment. They are available in both transparent and opaque versions.

Overall, Green Stuff World's range of paints offers a variety of options for painters looking to achieve different effects on their miniatures and scale models. From intense pigmentation to glow-in-the-dark finishes, there is an ink to suit every need.

How to use acrylic inks

Acrylic ink is very versatile, as it can be used in several ways: directly from the bottle without adding other products, diluted in water to give it a finish similar to watercolors but with fixation to remain fixed, even when wetted with water, or, in the case of artists who paint pictures, they can make them look like oil paints. To this, we must add its ability to work on most materials such as plastic, cardboard, paper, or fabric, among many others.

This product guarantees very fast drying and great coverage, as well as the possibility of mixing different colors to create new quality colors. Although it can be painted with water only, in some cases, it is advisable to have some acrylic medium to help maintain its properties. 

Similarly, acrylic inks do not need a top coat, but applying varnish will provide extra protection. Also, note that they are fast-drying, so the brush should be cleaned with water when not in use to prevent the paintbrush from hardening.

Acrylic ink vs. alcohol ink

These inks have very different characteristics, which must be known before choosing the paints you are going to use for your figures and dioramas, since they do not behave in the same way on different surfaces, under sunlight, in contact with resin, etc.

On the one hand, acrylic inks are manufactured using pigments as a base together with some additives, which are suspended in liquid resin emulsion. It is a fluid and very thin product, resulting in a brilliant color. 

On the other hand, alcohol ink is based on colorants, together with resin and the necessary additives, in this case, suspended in alcohol. They result in very striking colors. The evaporation of the alcohol is very fast, so these inks are fast drying.

One of the advantages of alcohol-based inks is the possibility of rectifying the work done by applying alcohol, with which errors can be corrected or areas can be mixed and transitions made. On the contrary, when the first ones dry, they are permanently sealed, although they can be corrected by applying another coat of paint. In fact, alcohol-based inks do not allow you to work with layers. 

When deciding which one to apply, one of the first aspects to consider is the qualities of the surface to be painted. An alcohol base will not look good on porous surfaces, unlike acrylics, whose fluidity allows you to color less polished areas. 

The alcohol inks do not carry pigments, but dyes and many can revive once dry when painting with another color on top, so it is highly recommended to fix or protect the colors before adding new ones, this way you will avoid mixing. Acrylics on the other hand are water resistant and remain waterproof after drying.

Finally, to ensure a good choice, it is worth mentioning that alcohol-based paints are not suitable for figures that will be exposed to the sun, as they deteriorate easily in this environment. In this case, it is necessary to apply a UV-resistant coating or use acrylic inks, which are compatible with most media. 

Can I use acrylic inks to tint resins?

Several types of paints can be used, including acrylic inks, but it will always depend on the type of resin. It is recommended to use them whenever an opaque effect is sought since it does not maintain the transparency of the resin. 

The compatibility with the different types of resin would be the following:

• Epoxy resin: they work perfectly.
• Acrylic resin: they can affect the drying time and even the hardness of the pieces if too much is used.
• Polyurethane Resin: Just does not work.
• UV Resin: Can affect curing time and even not harden at all depending on the amount used. It can also affect transparency.

What is lightfastness?

Lightfastness is a crucial attribute that assesses the stability of materials, particularly pigments or dyes, when subjected to light exposure, notably sunlight. It delves into the ability of these substances to retain their color integrity over time, resisting the detrimental effects of light-induced chemical reactions like photo-degradation. This phenomenon occurs when the bonds between molecules are altered or broken upon light exposure, leading to fading or color alteration.

The significance of lightfastness spans various domains, including art, textiles, and printing. In artistic endeavors, for instance, achieving archival quality necessitates the utilization of materials with commendable lightfastness. Pigments vary in their inherent lightfastness, with some being naturally more resilient to light-induced degradation than others. Moreover, the formulation of these materials plays a role, as different mediums can influence their lightfastness ratings.

Measurement of lightfastness entails standardized testing methodologies such as the ASTM scale and the Blue Wool Scale (BWS). The ASTM scale grades lightfastness from I to V, signifying levels ranging from excellent to very poor resistance to light-induced changes over specified timeframes. On the other hand, the Blue Wool Scale, originally devised for assessing color permanence in textiles, offers ratings from 1 to 8, with higher numbers indicating superior lightfastness.

Green Stuff World, for example, primarily relies on the Blue Wool Scale to evaluate the lightfastness of its products. These ratings, ranging from 7/8 for excellent lightfastness down to 1 for very poor lightfastness, serve as a guide for consumers, ensuring that the materials they choose maintain their color vibrancy and integrity over extended periods. By adhering to stringent lightfastness standards, Green Stuff World assures artists and creators of the longevity and archival quality of their products, thereby enhancing the enduring beauty of their creations.

Why is lightfastness important?

Lightfastness holds significant importance across various industries, serving as a critical attribute in ensuring the longevity and integrity of materials exposed to light. In the realm of artistry, lightfastness is pivotal for artists seeking to create enduring works that withstand the test of time. It serves as a guarantee that the colors used in their compositions will retain their vibrancy and richness, preserving the intended aesthetic impact for years to come.

In the realm of artistry, lightfastness is gauged through standardized scales such as the ASTM scale and the Blue Wool Scale (BWS), both pivotal in assessing the resilience of colors to light-induced degradation. The Blue Wool Scale, initially designed for evaluating color permanence in textiles, has found widespread adoption in industries beyond textiles, including printing, due to its effectiveness in measuring the lightfastness of ink colorants.

Green Stuff World as a European paint manufacturer, primarily relies on the Blue Wool Scale for evaluating lightfastness. This scale, ranging from 1 to 8, offers a comprehensive assessment of a color's ability to withstand light exposure, crucial for ensuring longevity, particularly in museum conditions. With ratings ranging from 1 denoting extremely poor lightfastness to 8 signifying maximum lightfastness achievable, Green Stuff World provides artists with valuable insights into the durability and archival quality of their products.

BWS

• 7-8 = Excellent, equivalent to ASTM I
• 6 = Very Good, equivalent to ASTM II
• 4-5 = Fair, equivalent to ASTM III
• 2-3 = Poor, equivalent to ASTM IV
• 1 = Very poor, equivalent to ASTM V

ASTM

• I = Excellent (should remain unchanged throughout 100 years)
• II = Very good (should remain unchanged throughout 50–100 years)
• III = Fair (should remain unchanged throughout 15–50 years)
• IV = Poor (should remain unchanged throughout 2–15 years)
• V = Very poor (should show changes in less than 2 years)

All acrylic inks in a crystal bottle with pipette from Green Stuff World are assessed with ratings of BWS 7/8, indicating excellent lightfastness, or BWS 6, signifying very good lightfastness. These ratings attest to their permanence, ensuring that they maintain their vibrancy and integrity for a period ranging from 50 to over 100 years, even in the controlled conditions of a gallery setting.

Not what you were looking for? Discover our collection of metallic paints for modeling.