Deli Paper is marvelously versatile, working well with all types of media. My initial foray into using it with Alcohol Inks was accidental, but it turned into a fortunate mistake once I realized how cool the inks behaved on the paper. One of the major differences between using other types of paint or ink with Deli Paper are that the solvent base in the Alcohol Inks causes the color to penetrate right into the fibers of the paper. Some Deli Paper has a waxy coating on one side and it has no effect as far as I have seen; the Alcohol Ink penetrates it too.
Because Alcohol Inks are a dye based transparent product, they cause what is almost a stained glass look when combined with Deli Paper. It becomes translucent when the ink penetrates the fibers, taking on a wonderfully luminous appearance. Color can be layered, one over the other, and metallic Alcohol Inks work well too, though they are not transparent so provide a different look.
The best part about Alcohol Inks? You’re not limited to using them alone on your Deli Papers. Once they’re dry, add your usual suspects in whatever order you wish. Paints and sprays, brayered or spritzed. Bring on the stencils, stamps, and markers! You’ll find everything is fair game and can be used to add interest to your papers.
When you’re satisfied that they’re finished, it’s time to turn your attention to using the papers. In the video you’ll see me offer several suggestions; simple but effective ways to tear, cut, and punch strips and shapes. If you use gel medium to adhere the pieces to your surface you’ll see that the uncolored, plain areas of the paper practically vanish into the background. This is why I’m so fussy about which Deli Paper I use. They’re not all created equally. Some are very white and opaque and while you can work with them, don’t expect the same translucency when applying the pieces to a surface.
Both styles of our Deli Paper, plain and stripey, offer that transparency. Links to them and other supplies are right under the block where you see the video. If you’re of a mind to shop, take advantage of the January Savings where you can save as much as $30 in addition to the 15% Every Day Discount.
Spend $50 (excluding Gift Certificates, shipping, and any sales tax) and the website will automatically reduce your order by $5. Spend $100, with the same exceptions, and you’ll save $10. Spend $200 and the savings are $20, and if you spend $300 the savings will be $30. You’ll see the amount being deducted on the final page of the checkout process, where you see the items you’re purchasing and click to submit the order.
Supplies For This Video:
Joggles Deli Paper or Joggles Stripey Deli Paper
Ranger’s Adirondack Alcohol Inks
Lots of other stencil brands can be seen here
18 Comments
LOVE the idea of warm/cool art journals! OMG, that is incredible. It almost makes the process of art journaling easier by narrowing the focus. Thank you so much for that little smidge of information, Barb!! After swearing I wasn’t starting any new journals this year (just began three) I ordered two more from you today! Your videos are really dangerous. They need to come with warning labels!
Thank you for the wonderful ideas in this video! Your work is beautiful and your teaching methods are so easy to understand. Thanks for the encouragement to make art!
I agree with Jennifer’s previous comment about your videos needing warning labels! I already am working on two projects, and now I am wanting to start a third! I love the idea of playing with the alcohol inks on deli paper, then placing strips onto a textured heart for Valentine’s Day. I think, I will make one for each of my two daughters. Thanks Barb! I always derive such inspiration from following your videos.
This was great! I love the translucency that occurs with the alcohol inks.
I always can’t wait for wednesdays for your tutorials.
Well, as usual, you have solved another craft dilemma for me. I was struggling to get just the right ethereal background on which to decoupage a family photo and the alcohol ink on deli paper is the answer. Thanks.
I love the idea of using colorful deli paper in one of my journals – it looks totally wonderful. I really enjoy all of your videos and appreciate your tips and techniques – and your awesome videos! Thanks for sharing.
This makes my little heart happy! What a wonderful new way to use alcohol inks and to create fabulous transparent layers. I can’t wait to have a play. Like the others, I delight in your videos, learn so much and always come away inspired…and with a longer shopping list…LOL Thanks for all of the hard work that goes into these. You really are appreciated!
What a fun video. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try it !!! I just love your videos and when you make a new one, I drop everything and watch it.
Oh how cool! Just started watching your videos, dangerous place to hang out! 🙂 Just got my order today, thank you!
What a marvelous technique! I luv the idea of auditioning where to lay the various bits! And the soft ethereal effect! ah…
Brilliant, Barbara!!! I’ve got 3 boxes of different kinds of deli paper, now I need to find the one that works the best for these backgrounds. I do most of my spraying into a 12 x 12 Iris plastic lidded container that is lined with watercolor or mixed media paper. I use the papers to catch the overspray and then have lots of interesting paper to use for backgrounds, etc. I think I’ll give the deli paper a try as a catch paper. I know the sprays will reactivate with moisture, so I’ll have to be careful when I use them as background papers, but if it doesn’t work I’ll only be out some deli paper. I love how the Alcohol Inks worked in your video and I’m always looking for new ways to use products that I already have. Thank you for the inspiration!
I tried this right after watching the video and the results are really nice.
I got the deli paper from you about a year ago, it does not seem as translucent at the deli paper you use in the video, have you changed the type? I really gooped on the ink when I noticed that it was only going about 3 layers down, still it really did not penetrate as well as yours in the video.
My results are very nice and I have already begun sticking the watery looking piece down in the journal and stamped on it. Fun.
I watch most of the tutorials you post and this one was another excellent one, taught me something new. Another thing new I learned was to make sure your nozzle on the alcohol ink bottle is intact. When I went to pour the blue on my deli papers the nozzle fell off and I poured almost the whole bottle on my papers and now have solid blue deli papers. They aren’t the effect I was going for but I’ll save them and will surely find a use for them. Plus I have found that even after the alcohol ink is dry it can be re-acted with some plain alcohol or the special solution that is sold.
Thanks again for your well demoed tutorials, you make them easy to follow and fun. I like your rings, too.
I so enjoy your site. The new site is so FANCY, just love it.
I so enjoy your videos. Just a question, what was the second color purple you’ve put on? I love that color.
I’m sorry, I have no recollection of what the color was. If I didn’t mention it in the video there is no way to know.
Barb
No problem, i’ll go to the store and ask if i can try them all. 😉 Sounds like e a lot of fun but i’d better set myself a budget. There are so much amazing colors
Thank you for your wonderful blog. Alcohol inks are awesome, so glad you experiment with many substrates. Deli Paper is fun and affordable.
Have to go now, time to play and experiment.
Thanks Barb!
Jackie