Three creative techniques for using your Altenew inks as watercolor.
One of the most versatile tools in any cardmaker’s stash is ink—especially when you realize it can double as watercolor! Altenew’s crisp and vibrant dye inks are not only great for stamping but can also be activated with water for stunning watercolor effects. In this post, I’m sharing three different ways to use ink as watercolor in your cardmaking: wet-on-wet, painting with ink, and using ink dyes. Each technique highlights how Altenew inks can bring your designs to life in a soft, artistic way.
Card 1: Wet-on-Wet Watercolor Background
Supplies:
- Altenew Dreamy Times 3D Embossing Folder
- Altenew Sunny Sentiments Stamp Set
- Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Sea Breeze, Nimbus, Ultramarine
For this card, I ran the panel through my die-cutting machine using the Dreamy Times 3D embossing folder. The raised floral elements added texture and dimension without taking away from the delicate background.
I lightly misted watercolor paper with clean water, creating a damp surface to accept the ink. I pressed the Sea Breeze, Nimbus, and Ultramarine inks onto a non-porous surface and added a few drops of water to create puddles of color. Using a large brush, I dropped color onto the wet paper and let the pigments move naturally, blending into a dreamy sky-inspired wash.
Once dry, I added a sentiment from the Sunny Sentiments set stamped in Ultramarine completed the card.
Card 2: Painting with Ink
Supplies:
- Altenew Petite Peony Stamp and Die Set
- Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Pink Diamond, Coral Bliss, Marshland
In this technique, ink pads serve as paint palettes. I stamped the Petite Peony images onto watercolor cardstock using permanent black ink. Then, I tapped the Pink Diamond, Coral Bliss, and Marshland inks onto a glass mat and used a fine brush and water to paint the flowers and leaves.
Pink Diamond gave the petals a delicate base, while Coral Bliss was used to deepen the shadows and add vibrancy. Marshland provided an earthy green tone for the foliage. Once the images were dry, I add the die-cut the flower to a shaker card base. The layered painting gave the card a hand-colored elegance, perfect for birthdays or thank-yous.
Card 3: Using Ink Dyes for a Bold Background
Supplies:
- Altenew Floral Diamond Block Embossing Folder
- Altenew Enamel Flowers Stamp Set
- Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Razzleberry
This final technique makes the most of ink’s bold pigment. I embossed the card background using the Floral Diamond Block folder to add stunning texture and detail. Then I added 3 colors of ink directly onto a glass mat and added just a hint of water to make a concentrated dye. I then laid a piece of watercolor cardstock over the puddle to pick up the dye ink.
The result was a dramatic, jewel-toned background that needed only a simple sentiment to shine. I chose one from the Enamel Flowers set, stamped in Razzleberry and mounted with foam tape for a crisp finish.
Final Thoughts
Using ink as watercolor opens up an entirely new dimension of creativity. Whether you’re aiming for soft and ethereal or bold and striking, Altenew’s dye inks offer the flexibility to experiment with color and texture in your cardmaking.
Try one or all of these techniques and discover how inky watercolors can bring your handmade cards to life with movement, softness, and style.
Which technique will you try first?
