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    Home » Crafts

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

    by Patti Estep · Oct 15, 2018

    Jump to How-to Card
    Alcohol ink collage

    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 the 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.

    Patti signature


    P.S. If you enjoy alcohol inks, check out my Alcohol Ink Ornament project. Or try Distress Spray Inks. I used them on my Rustic Advent Calendar Tree Project this year and I can't wait to use them again. See these and much more on my DIY/Projects Page.

     

    4 slider tins decorated with alcohol inks

     

    Alcohol ink on metal slider tins
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

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

    Create beautiful handmade gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season by making sliding gift tins decorated with alcohol ink.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Active Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Crafts
    Yield: 1 Gift Tin
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $5-$10

    Equipment

    • Canned Air

    Materials

    • Metal Slider Tins
    • Alcohol Ink
    • Rubbing Alcohol
    • Cotton Swabs
    • Protective Spray Gloss

    Instructions

    • Clean the surface and sides of the tins with the Isopropyl alcohol.
    • Use just a couple of drops of ink to create stunning effects. 
    • Dab some ink on a cotton swab to decorate the edge.
    • Use cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol and the inks to achieve different effects.
    • Let the tin dry for 24 hours.
    • Spray with gloss or multi-medium.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram

     

     

    « Herbed Potatoes For Weekday Dinners And Special Occasions
    Crustless Quiche Lorraine - Decadent Low Carb Treat »

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joyce Manser

      June 30, 2020 at 11:18 am

      I have trouble finding Isopropyl rubbing alcohol 91%.
      Can you tell me where I can purchase some?
      Thank you.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 30, 2020 at 11:24 am

        Joyce, it used to be everywhere for a very reasonable amount. Ever since the pandemic, you are hard-pressed to find it anywhere. I did recently purchase some from this website. https://first-aid-store.com/isopropyl-alcohol-99-16-oz-1-each.html  It's 99% but still works well with the inks and it's affordable.

        Reply
    2. Tina

      May 22, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      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

        May 23, 2019 at 6:08 am

        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
    3. Barbara Chapman

      October 18, 2018 at 7:35 pm

      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
      • Patti Estep

        October 19, 2018 at 6:26 am

        Thanks Barbara. I love the idea of writing little notes to hide in the tins.

        Reply
    4. Maria

      October 18, 2018 at 8:21 am

      This is so unique, so inspired. Need to check these out for my next gift idea
      Maria

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 18, 2018 at 8:58 am

        Thanks Maria. I'm sure you will find all kinds of things to do with them.

        Reply
    5. kristi

      October 16, 2018 at 5:45 pm

      How CUTE is this. They are really beautiful. Thanks for the idea. I have some tins like that and never knew what to do with them.

      Reply
    6. Toni

      October 16, 2018 at 11:55 am

      These are so cool and pretty. I've been wanting to try these inks for some time. Pinning these for inspiration later 😀

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 16, 2018 at 2:16 pm

        Thanks Toni. You will love them!

        Reply
    7. Lori Jo

      October 15, 2018 at 2:01 pm

      Beautiful and creative, love this upcycling technique!

      Lori Jo - 50 With Flair
      http://www.50withflair.com

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 2:02 pm

        Thanks Lori!

        Reply
    8. Mary

      October 15, 2018 at 12:54 pm

      I love this bold look. The colors are stunning and not at all what I have associated with rusty old tins at all!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks Mary. It's so fun!

        Reply
    9. Julie Briones

      October 15, 2018 at 12:33 pm

      I LOVE this! What a great idea, and so pretty. Love the ideas on how to use the slider boxes, too! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks Julie. I'm a sucker for packaging.

        Reply
    10. Maureen

      October 15, 2018 at 10:50 am

      This is a seriously cool project! I can't wait to try it 🙂

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 1:09 pm

        Thanks Maureen. I hope you love it as much as I did.

        Reply
    11. Nikki Gwin

      October 15, 2018 at 10:27 am

      These are beautiful! And I have just the thing to put inside that I've been wanting to make. Very timely. Thanks!
      🙂 gwingal

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 1:09 pm

        Thanks Nikki, that's wonderful to hear.

        Reply
    12. Roxanne

      October 15, 2018 at 9:44 am

      This is the first I've heard of alcohol inks, very cool!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 1:12 pm

        Thanks Roxanne. You have to try them. So much fun!

        Reply
    13. R Claudia Richards

      October 15, 2018 at 7:45 am

      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
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 8:18 am

        I bought mine from Amazon. There's a link in the post. However, I'm sure that most craft stores sell them too.

        Reply
    14. Val

      October 15, 2018 at 7:42 am

      Where do you buy alcohol ink?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 8:20 am

        You can buy them in crafts stores or online. There's a link in the post to the ones I first purchased from Amazon.

        Reply
    15. Carole West

      October 15, 2018 at 7:09 am

      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
      • Patti Estep

        October 15, 2018 at 8:22 am

        Thanks Carole. Green is my daughter's favorite color too and she already snagged one of them.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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