Elevate your entertaining with alcohol ink markers. Here are fun and functional uses for your next party. No “craftiness” required!

Who knew alcohol ink markers could add personality and functionality to your entertaining, elevating your party to the next level?

Yep! Alcohol ink markers can do just that!. 

The vibrant medium of alcohol inks offer a splash of color and creativity to non-porous surfaces. 

And the best part? You don’t have to be an artist, or even very “crafty”  to use them. But be warned: you might just become addicted to the crafting world! 

Get ready to be surprised as we explore five unexpected ways to use alcohol ink markers to enhance your entertaining experience.

You may be feeling leery? A bit skeptical?

Maybe you’ve heard of alcohol ink you might be thinking drops of alcohol ink in vibrant colors on yupo paper (glossy paper) or ceramic tiles being manipulated with different techniques to make beautiful pieces such as alcohol ink coasters or stunning abstract ink art or even beautiful ornaments like these.

The projects in this blog post are NOT nearly as involved! We are using Alcohol Ink MARKERS — not drops of ink. That’s the key!!!

Notice I’m calling them projects, not crafts. They are really more hosting hacks than anything else.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Materials and Supplies-

• Alcohol Ink Markers (NOT tubes of alcohol ink, like Copic Ink), I tested these from Walmart or from Amazon, after using an old one from Hobby Lobby that is no longer available.
• Isopropyl Alcohol (the strength does not matter)
• Paper towel or cotton pads
• Gloves (optional), alcohol ink will stain porous surfaces, including your hands!
• Wax or parchment paper to protect work surface

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Why Alcohol Ink Markers?

One of the best things about alcohol ink markers is their durability. Once the ink dries, it’s resistant to water and moisture, so your labels will stay put even in the messiest of party settings.

 And when you’re ready to clean up, a simple wipe with isopropyl alcohol will remove the ink without a trace, leaving your surfaces clean and ready for the next event.

 It’s true! Cross my heart!!!

Cleaning FAIL using water!

Easy Peasy With Alcohol!

Still don’t believe me? Here’s quick video proof:

Pretty cool, right?

CAUTION: You may not want to use this on vintage pieces with crazing . The alcohol ink will get in the cracks and it’s extremely hard to remove it.

This is an extreme closeup of a vintage Staffordshire saucer. I knew the ink would stain inside the cracks, but I was experimenting to see if alcohol sitting on the inked area would solve the issue – FAIL! So use caution with vintage family treasures.

Now let’s talk practical use ideas. But first:

Important Safety Information:

While alcohol ink markers can be a fun and creative way to enhance your entertaining, it’s essential to handle them with care. 

Alcohol inks are not considered food safe. 

While the toxicity risk is primarily associated with the fumes emitted during the painting and drying process (which takes literally seconds), it’s important to take precautions.

Here are some safety tips-

• Ventilate the area: Work in a well-ventilated space to minimize exposure to fumes.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes: Keep alcohol ink away from your skin and eyes. In case of contact, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Keep out of reach: Store alcohol ink markers and supplies in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.

NOTE: While I haven’t found* any information about dried alcohol ink being toxic, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Do not use alcohol ink on areas that will come into direct extended contact with food or beverages.

* Besides thorough online searches, I have contacted three manufacturers and no one has gotten back to me. I am not a chemical specialist or medical professional.

This blog post is NOT intended to replace the advice of safety experts or medical professionals!!! Only use alcohol ink markers as you feel comfortable. 

Party Hosting Hacks with Alcohol Ink Markers

Personalizing Place Settings

It all started with these charming thrifted ceramic napkin rings that I wanted to use for this Summer table. They seemed ripe for personalizing, but how?

I had tried dry erase markers. They looked great for a picture, but not for reality! 

I wanted needed smudge proof. 

That’s when it occurred to me to try alcohol ink in marker form!

Simply use an alcohol marker in the color of your choice to write or print each guest’s name on a napkin ring. That’s it! You’re done!

When the party is over, just wipe the lettering with alcohol on a paper towel or cotton pad and it’s ready for the next fun occasion.

Identifying Salsas

Don’t let your guests be fooled by the appearance of your salsas! 

Use alcohol ink markers to reveal the heat level on the rim or handle of your serving dishes. 

This clever trick will ensure everyone can enjoy their salsa experience without any unexpected surprises. 

It’s a fun and practical way to add a touch of personality to your buffet.

Who’s Dish is Who’s?

Holding a frittata bar? Or maybe a pasta bar or pot pie bar? The kind of “bar” where everyone picks their own ingredients and then they all get topped off in a hot oven.

The challenge is always whose dish is who’s as they come out of the oven. Not anymore!

Make your frittata buffet extra special by using alcohol ink markers to personalize each dish. Write guests’ names or initials directly on the dish, or use a fun and creative design.

It’s a simple yet thoughtful way to add a personal touch to your meal.

Lose the Wine Charms!

Say goodbye to confusion, mix-ups (and wine charms) at your next wine party. 

Use alcohol ink markers to add a personal touch to your wine glasses. With each guest’s name on a glass.

PRO TIP: Use a light color to make a paint swipe background, to help the lettering stand out.

It’s a fun and easy way to keep everyone’s glasses straight, without the need for clunky wine charms every time you tip your glass for a swallow.  Not to mention having to remember what color beads are yours or is yours the spade or the diamond, the cat or the dog, the golf tee or the golf bag. You get the idea.

BONUS: Names on glasses will be truly appreciated by new-ish guests that may be struggling with names! 

Buffet Food Labels

If your serving dishes have a lip or handle, consider drawing yellow caution triangle with a nut, or egg or milk carton to warn guests of potential allergens. 

Alternatively, you can mark a dish as GF with a smiley face if you choose.

Takeaways-

Always use the safety precautions that make sense for you!

The beauty of these markers is that you can use them on any non-porous or glass surface with results that are smudge proof, but non permanent. Perfect for Grandma’s wine glasses and so much more, but not vintage pieces with crazing or cracks.

These alcohol ink entertaining hacks are the best way to use alcohol ink for the first time. Endless do-overs with a cheap bottle of rubbing alcohol by your side.

Once you’ve used alcohol markers for these easy hosting hacks, you may be ready to expand to other ways to incorporate alcohol ink crafts in your home decor. 

Are there other ways you might use them while hosting? Leave it in the comments to share with everyone.

At some point, you’re going to wish you had this info handy. So why not pin it to a board you keep for just such fun ideas?