How to Use Distress Ink on Copper
Scrapbook enthusiasts often use Distress Inks. Their appeal lies not only in their many colors, but also in the way they react with water to give a vintage feel to paper crafts. Distress Inks do not stick to copper but you can use them on this metal. Since you can use Distress Inks on slick-surfaced photographs that have been sanded by letting the ink run into scratches in the surface of the photograph, you can do the same to a piece of copper.
Instructions
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1
Clean the surface that you are going to work with. This will ensure that there is nothing on it to add resistance to your inks.
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2
Roughen the surface with sandpaper. You can use many materials for this step, and each will give you a different look. Try different types of sandpaper, steel wool, a wire brush or even an emery board. You may wish to clean the metal again after this step, but it needs to be dry for the next step because Distress Ink reacts with water.
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3
Put ink on the metal. You have a few options for this. You can rub your ink pad directly onto the metal, or you can transfer the ink using a fabric scrap. Pieces of old T-shirts work well for this. Use a color that will complement the copper or create the illusion of a patina, like black, dark brown or green.
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4
Rub the ink into the scratches in your copper using a scrap of fabric. Wipe away the excess. The ink naturally runs into scratches in a surface, but a little water may help speed the process along.
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5
Let the piece dry for 24 hours to be sure that the ink is completely dry.
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Seal the piece. This step is optional, but the ink may wear away without a sealer. You need a sealer that is not water-based, or the ink will smear. Resin sealer and varnish are possible sealers for this project.
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Tips & Warnings
While Distress Ink does not adhere well to metal, Alcohol Inks, made by the same company, do, and can be used to make textures that resemble those of Distress Ink on paper. Distress Ink can also be used on top of Alcohol Inks you have painted onto metal. Rock Candy Crackle Distress Paint creates a very attractive crackle finish when used this way.
You can also use Distress Ink on copper if you put a primer on it first, but you will lose the look of the copper.
Distress Ink will stain your fingers, so you may wish to wear gloves.
Use sealers in a well-ventilated area.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
