Crafting With Pigment Ink: The Basics, Dos, and Don'ts - Altenew

25 Aug.,2025

 

Crafting With Pigment Ink: The Basics, Dos, and Don'ts - Altenew

Are you looking to add some vibrant colors and intricate designs to your crafting projects? Then you're in for a treat today! We’ll talk about pigment ink, a versatile and dynamic medium that can elevate your creations to a whole new level.

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Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting, it's always good to brush up on the basics and learn some dos and don'ts to make the most out of your crafting experience. So, grab your favorite crafting supplies, and let's get started on this colorful journey!

What Is Pigment Ink?

Before we delve into the dos and don'ts, let's quickly go over what pigment ink is.

Pigment-based ink, or simply pigment ink, is a type of ink used for coloring paper and other materials. Pigments consist of small solid particles dispersed in a liquid (or gaseous) medium. In the case of our pigment inks, the pigment is combined with an oil-based carrier.

Unlike dye-based inks, which are absorbed into the material, pigment ink sits on the surface, resulting in more vibrant and fade-resistant colors. This ink variety has existed for many years and was initially derived from natural pigments found in plants, animals, and minerals.

Pigment ink is perfect for a variety of crafting projects, including card making, scrapbooking, and even fabric printing.

How Is It Made?

To create pigment ink, water, pigment, resin, and various additives are combined to produce long-lasting and high-quality ink. The ink may be heated or cooled during manufacturing to create different results.

Pigment ink is commonly used for printing on textiles, packaging labels, and other specialized applications that require long-lasting results. Its versatility even extends to advanced industrial printing systems, digital textile printers, and direct-to-fabric printer models. Although there are various pigment-based inks on the market, they all share the quality of being waterproof and fade-resistant over time.

So, the next time you encounter a stunningly printed fabric or project, you have pigment ink to thank for it!

The Dos

Now, let’s dive into some of the best practices for using pigment inks:

1. Choose the Right Surface.

Pigment ink works best on porous surfaces such as paper, cardboard, and fabric. Make sure to select the appropriate surface for your project to achieve the best results.

2. Experiment with Different Techniques.

One of the most exciting aspects of crafting with pigment ink is the endless possibilities it offers. Don't be afraid to experiment with various techniques such as stamping, stenciling, and blending to create unique and eye-catching designs.

3. Allow Sufficient Drying Time.

Compared to dye-based inks, pigment ink takes longer to dry. Be patient and allow sufficient drying time before handling your project to prevent smudging and smearing.

4. Invest in Quality Supplies.

To ensure the best results, invest in high-quality pigment ink pads, stamps, and other crafting supplies. While it may cost a bit more upfront, quality supplies will ultimately save you time and frustration in the long run.

5. Practice Proper Clean-Up.

Pigment ink can be a bit stubborn to clean, especially if it's allowed to dry. Keep some stamp cleaner or mild soap and water handy to clean your stamps and crafting tools immediately after use.

The Don'ts

Next up, let’s talk about what NOT to do when you’re using your pigment-based inks:

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1. Avoid Non-Porous Surfaces.

Pigment ink is not suitable for non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper or plastic. Using pigment ink on these surfaces will result in smudging and poor adhesion.

However, you can get around this limitation by using heat-resistant acetate and clear embossing powder. Just add the powder after inking, then use a heat gun/tool and set the ink this way.  

2. Don't Over-ink Your Stamps.

When stamping with pigment ink, less is often more. Avoid over-inking your stamps as this can lead to blurry images and excess ink buildup.

3. Don't Forget to Seal Your Project.

To protect your masterpiece from smudging and fading, consider sealing it with a clear acrylic spray or varnish. This will help preserve the vibrant colors and longevity of your creation.

4. Be Patient When Air Drying.

Patience is key when working with pigment ink. Of course, you can speed up the drying process by using a heat tool as suggested above. But if that’s not available to you at the moment, then we highly suggest patiently waiting for the ink to dry when air drying. Rushing the drying process most often results in smudged and ruined projects. 

Take your time and allow your creations to dry thoroughly before handling or moving on to the next step.

Have Fun With Pigment Inks Today!

So there you have it, folks! With these dos and don'ts in mind, you're well-equipped to embark on your crafting journey with pigment ink

Remember to have fun, experiment, and let your creativity soar. And if you run out of card making and paper crafting ideas, our In the Craft Room blogs are always open for you. Happy crafting!

Why you should start a unique, eco-friendly business with pigment ...

Monetising a hobby is one of the easiest ways of excelling in business because you get to do what you love! Consumer behaviors and patterns are fast changing with the need for hand-made accessories such as clothing being high than ever before. Consumers are also aware of climate change and global warming effects. Everyone prefers to use a product that is of good quality and manufactured with care for environment, be it fabric or furniture.

If you are a talented designer, or a creative student of art, partnering with fabric suppliers and printers like ctnbee.com is the best idea for an eco-friendly business with pigment ink fabric printing. Among the niches in the fashion industry that hasn’t been exploited to death is fabric printing. All you need is a formidable plan, dedication, and unrivaled marketing strategies.

So, how do you go about such a business? Well, continue reading to get a better insight into that.

Unique application

Starting a business is one thing, but running it is another altogether! You have to be as creative as possible to give your customers something that they don’t get on the regular. There are a plethora of products you could potentially include in your offer in as far as the fabric printing business is concerned. For instance, besides regular clothe sewing, you can take your creativity notches higher and incorporate digitally printed textiles in accessories such as notebooks, wallets, ladies purse, or even backpacks. At the end of the day, people buy your creativity.  Also, don’t forget that images have to be high resolution and at least 150 dpi if you want to attract more customers.

Personalised orders and quick turnaround

Forget about the minimum order policy that deprives you of lots of profits, especially from big customers such as wholesalers. Pigment ink printing is effective, fast, and has a quicker turnaround than other forms of digital fabric printing. Therefore, no minimum order policy allows you to take as many orders as possible and deliver the same within a promised time-frame. Moreover, you can also deal with one order at a time without necessarily having to accumulate bulk so that you place one big order at once.

Eco-friendly

Lastly, who wouldn’t want to buy natural fiber fabrics? The modern market is crowded with cheap fabric that isn’t only detrimental to healthy environmental practices but can be a source of discomfort, especially during sudden weather changes. Natural fiber fabrics are constructed on naturally grown and processed cotton or linen to give an upper edge that other types of synthetic fiber or polyester cannot afford to offer. When synthetic fiber breaks down into micro-plastics, they take long to biodegrade, which leads to unhealthy contaminants on the earth’s surface.

Natural fiber fabrics also have an upper edge when printing, thanks to the least water-intensive digital textile print technology. In other words, no chemical substance is used in the process.  Moreover, fabrics that are used in printing undergo third-party test and OEKO-TEX certification to assure consumers of safety to the skin.

There you have all the reasons to start your unique, eco-friendly business! Another important tip for running a successful business is ensuring customer satisfaction because they are an essential asset to the existence of your business.

Are you interested in learning more about large format printer ink? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!