(click on the pic to enbiggan)
I have been stamping and coloring on glitter with Copics for a while but haven't always been completely satisfied with the end results. Until now. Different ink and Copic combinations can work, but if you're not *uber* careful you can up with mud. Ack.
Coloring stamped images with Copics requires using the right balance of ink and paper in order to achieve optimal results. Memento Ink by Tsukineko + Copics is a pretty widely known combo that yields great results. On paper. But, coloring a stamped image on glitter can be a little tricker. Because you need to use an ink that will actually DRY on glitter AND not bleed out when alcohol ink is applied. Ruh roh...!
You may not be aware that Copics also work beautifully on paper with most* PIGMENT inks. The catch is that they must be fully dry so as not to smear.
Enter: Brilliance by Tsukineko
(this is where the heavens part and you hear angel voices singing)
Brilliance has *looooong* been one of my all-time favorite inks. It is a faster-drying PIGMENT ink. One of its advantages over many other pigment inks, however, is that it can dry on non-porous surface, such as Polyshrink (another topic for another day). *wink*
Brilliance will dry on glitter. It will need to be heat set, to ensure it is thoroughly dry, but it will dry on glitter. And you can color the image with Copics. You can even be a little careless and color right over the top of this ink. And there will be no bleeding. There will be no mud.
I know, right?! 
Here are some tips for stamping and coloring on Micro-fine glitter:
- You'll achieve optimal results when stamping onto glitter if you use a micro-fine type; even ultra-fine is not fine enough
- Burnish the micro-fine glitter into the tape with your finger tips until there are no sticky areas left; "squeegee" off the excess with your fingers to reveal a velvety smooth surface
- Stamp with a pigment ink such as Brilliance; as a pigment ink, it works extremely well when coloring with Copics and it is one of the few pigment inks that will actually dry on glossy/slick surfaces without needing to be sealed with embossing powder
- Heat set the ink by keeping your heat gun a safe distance away, i.e. 7-8", to avoid melting the glitter; test dryness with scrap paper as shown in the video
- Lightly tap the tip of the Copic marker when coloring, allowing the ink to flow out; brushing/stroking the nib against the glitter can not only cause the tip to fray, but it can also cause the adhesive beneath the glitter to deteriorate and etch off, resulting in a lack-luster finish
You can view the video here, or hop over to YouTube and thanks muchly for subscribing to our channel!
*I say "most" because some inks that are touted as pigment inks are not actually true pigment inks, but more a hybrid of chalk + pigment ink that may indeed smear when alcohol ink is applied...
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