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Acrylic Inks

Acrylic Inks

Acrylic Inks for Modeling
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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. Acrylic ink can also be mixed with other colors or mediums to create custom shades and effects, which gives painters even more creative control.

Acrylic Inks

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 carefully formulated to intensify and saturate colors, making them ideal for achieving 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's wash inks are designed to flow into the recesses and crevices of models, creating shadows and depth. They are available in a range of colors and have a matte finish.
  • Candy range: These paints are highly pigmented and translucent, creating a candy-like effect when applied to models. They are available in a range of colors and can be used to create a variety of effects, including shading and color transitions.
  • 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: For those looking for a quick and efficient painting solution to add contrast to their miniatures and free up more time for gameplay, the Dipping Ink range is the top choice on the market.
  • High-concentration: They are very fluid and can be used directly in miniatures or in airbrush. Despite being more liquid, their pigmentation is much higher than the rest of the inks, which allows them to be diluted without noticing the reduction of pigment. They are widely used by artists. 

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 ink

These types of inks are very versatile, as they can be used in several ways: directly from the bottle without adding other products, diluted in water to give a finish similar to watercolors, or, in the case of artists who make paintings, made them look as if they were painted with oil paint. 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 ones 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. 

In the same way, it does not need a final coat, but applying varnish will provide extra protection. Also, keep in mind that they are fast drying, so the brush should be dipped in water when not in use to prevent it from hardening on the brush.

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. 

Both paints are water-resistant and remain waterproof after drying, with the difference that acrylic paints adhere permanently to the medium. 

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 ink in resin?

Several types of paints, including acrylic inks, can be used to tint or create designs on resin. It is recommended to use them whenever an opaque effect is sought, as they do not maintain the transparency of the resin. 

They are somewhat fluid in this context, so it is better to use them to dye the entire piece. For making designs, on the other hand, alcohol-based paints, which are contained in the desired area, are more advisable. Other options for resin are stained glass paints, which respect its transparency, or small amounts of powdered pigments.

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 acrylic paints for modeling.