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How to Use Alcohol Inks on Metal to Create Stunning Gift Tins

by 27 Comments

Learn how to use alcohol inks on metal slider tins to create beautiful handmade gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season.

Alcohol inks on metal slider tins

Last year I made Alcohol Ink Jewelry Dishes and then my girlfriends and I made trivets using alcohol inks. They were so popular (and fun to work with) that I decided to create something new using the alcohol inks.

Metal Slider tins

This time I wanted to try them on metal. I noticed that many people have used alcohol inks on metal washers to make pretty necklaces.

Since I already planned to make solid perfume for one of my holiday gifts this year, I thought these metal tins would make good containers.

And, the alcohol inks would be perfect for making them look beautiful.

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Alcohol ink on metal tin in green

Supplies

Metal Slider Tins
Alcohol Inks
Canned Air
Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 91%
Cotton Swabs
Cotton Pads (optional)
Protective Spray Gloss or Rangers Multi Medium

 

Using Alcohol Inks on Metal Tins

  • Start by cleaning the surface and sides of the tins with the Isopropyl alcohol.
  • Then use just a couple of drops of ink to create stunning effects. 
  • Use some ink on a cotton swab to decorate the edge.
  • Play around with allowing the inks to spread and meld together.
  • You can also use cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol and the inks to obtain different effects. 
  • Once you get a look you like let the tin dry for 24 hours then protect it with spray gloss or multi-medium.

 

Yellow alcohol ink on tin

Don’t like what you see?

Removing alcohol ink from tin

Simply remove it with more isopropyl alcohol and start over.

Alcohol ink work space

Caution: This project is messy. Make sure that you cover your work table and the floor. Also, wear old clothes.
PS: I did find that aerosol hairspray helped remove the ink from a sweater.

Alcohol inks on tins using gold

I love the way the gold looks on top of the other colors. It’s a little more opaque but spreads beautifully.

Alcohol ink on metal purple

You could play all day with these fun alcohol inks. The great thing is you don’t need much to create beautiful tins so you won’t mind wasting some while you practice. 

Other uses for Alcohol Inks on Metal Tins:

  • lip balm, salves, solid perfume
  • storing medication
  • storing mints
  • make a mini survival kit
  • handy storage for paper clips and safety pins

Note: I read that three of these tins fit nicely in an Altoids container for storage within storage.

Seven tins decorated with alcohol inks

I really love the way the alcohol inks look on these tins.

It took no time at all to create seven beautifully decorated tins. 

Time to order more.

alcohol inks on metal

 

 

 

About Patti Estep

Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina says

    Hi. How’d you get the gold color. Did you mix color or is there a gold color alcohol ink.
    I love that dark Gold look.
    Tina.

    Reply

    • Patti Estep says

      Tina, the gold is an alcohol ink. It came in the original set I bought from Jacquard, Pinata Rich Gold. It’s different from the others as you have to shake it well before using but adds a really pretty effect.

      Reply

  2. Barbara Chapman says

    Ooooh, Patti! I have a just finished tin out in the car… Hmmm!? Looks like a future project. Really pretty how these tins turned out ~ I could see them with little love notes sent to school with kids’ lunches or holding small sewing supplies. Anything! Happily pinning. <3

    Happy fall and beautiful job,
    Barb 🙂

    Reply

  12. R Claudia Richards says

    Thank you, Patti. I’ve been fascinated with alcohol inks long enough that I picked up a demo kit on one of my craft store visits. Got it home, looked on Pinterest, and just didn’t know where to begin. A case of ‘white paper syndrome.’ Now I have a plan. And it fits in so well with my homemade lip gloss, body butter, etc. You don’t say where you found the little tins but I assume amazon. Thanks again.

    Reply

  14. Carole West says

    What a cool idea and so creative, they have that look of tie dye with detail. This would make a great rainy day project and agree perfect for gifting too. Really like the green ones.

    Reply

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