All-Purpose Ink from Tsukineko is just what it says, an all-purpose ink! I find this liquid ink very versatile in my crafting practices. I used Thistle as well as Platinum to conduct my tests as I wanted to show the differences between the normal colours and the metallic colours of All-Purpose inks.
(Please note that this ink was included in the original test documents from the Playing with Inks range, and the results documented in the downloadable table)
Let’s see how the properties of All-Purpose ink allows us to use it:
The label states that it is suitable for all porous surfaces such as paper, fabric, wood, leather and many others. When used on fabric it should be heat set. The website adds unglazed pottery as an interesting surface that it is suitable for! According to Tsukineko this is a water-based ink. The metallic and white colours are pigment inks and thus opaque, while all the other colours are translucent dye inks. Remember this when we look at our test results!
These inks are liquid and only available in 15ml bottles. It is available in a large variety of colours, including metallic colours.
Stamping with All-Purpose Ink:
I dripped some ink on my craft sheet and used a blending tool to apply the ink to the stamp (you can also use a dauber or make-up sponge for this). The inks stamped perfectly – solid and clear! I must admit I have never tried stamping with these inks before!
The normal colours are matt and the metallic colours are shiny.
The dried stamped images were not affected by water or alcohol being painted over it.
Painted over each stamped image with water on the left and alcohol the right of each image:
The Thistle coloured dye ink can be seen on the dark cardstock, this was quite a surprise! The Platinum pigment ink shows up splendidly!
I was able to stamp on glossy photo paper successfully with both the normal colour and the metallic colour.
Other uses for All-Purpose Ink:
This ink is water-based and therefor blends with water. It creates beautiful splats and can be used as a watercolour-type paint. It can also be used in these ways without blending it with water as it is a liquid ink.
I was able to colour gel medium and gesso with both colours. The metallic shine can only be seen in the gel medium and not the gesso.
The All-Purpose ink “moves” on paper. I found that I could stencil with it, but because it is so liquid it seeped in under the stencil in places. The blending looks good, but I think it is more smearing than blending in the true sense of the word. I was able to chalk the page edges, but I will not recommend this ink for that purpose as it tends to smear a bit.
The ink seeped in under the stencil in places
Ink blending with All-Purpose ink
Chalked paper edges
The normal colour All-Purpose ink dried too quick to be able to use it for heat embossing.
The metallic ink stayed wet a bit longer and I obtained a perfect heat embossed result! Again, I am amazed at this result.
My Conclusion about All-Purpose Ink:
Up to now I have been using All-Purpose ink to colour embellishments, fibers, pastes and gels. I have also used it as a paint. After concluding my tests, I will definitely look at these inks differently and also use them for stamping and the metallic ones for heat embossing!
Remember that is not necessarily the only uses for these versatile inks! Play with your inks and find new ways to use them on your scrapbook pages and crafting products!
PLEASE NOTE: All the opinions are my own. None of the products have been sponsored.