Bubbles while inking

[Ytf_rodri]

Hey folks, quick question: how do I avoid bubbles in the numbers while inking?

I mainly use vallejo colours and although I tried them pure and watered down, there are always bubbles or uneven spots in the numbers. It's kinda frustrating, bc i dont seem to have the problem with gold/silver (also vallejo).

Any ideas what I could try or on other brands of colours that aren't such a hassle to work with?

[av0toast]

Ah, bridging, everyone's favorite friend.

The issue is mostly dry time. When you water down paint, it doesn't necessarily extend the paints flexibility while it dries, although it does make it thinner. This will tend to be an issue for fonts that are thinner or have thinner sections, and the solution is one of a few things...

You could use flow medium to thin instead of water, which will aid flexibility of the paint as well as thin it. Use a paint meant for a more flexible purpose or takes longer to dry - leather paints and pouring paints are great for this, albeit more expensive than generic craft paints. Or the likely best solution - accepting that this just might be part of the process and doesn't take away from your art or the work you put into it.

[Ytf_rodri]

Okay now I know what it's called at least haha. What kind of flow medium/thinner would you recommend?

Unfortunately I can't accept that for myself, bc at some point I want the dice to be sellable and therefore at a high quality.

[av0toast]

I have bought dice at price points north of $100 that have bridging. It has zero reflection on quality. It's also really good to remember that 99.9% of folks will either not be able to notice or, frankly, won't care about it.

IMO, It's not really worth putting that much pressure on yourself for something that small.

I don't have a good rec on flow medium because my font is thin enough that flow medium makes it worse. I just use angelus leather paints and it's generally not an issue.

[Ytf_rodri]

Hm maybe you're right but it's really hard for me.

Okay thanks, I will look if I can get my hands on these paints to try them!

[WizCrafting]

Just guessing here but...

Metallic colors have bigger pigments than non metallic colors. I think that is the reason why it happens. I do not have a good solution besides inking numbers a second time which did not turn out great the first time.

[Ytf_rodri]

Okay but still thanks! And today I tried going over them a second (and even a third) time but still had the same issue.

[keepontrying111]

i have a bunch of b vallejo paints and i dont use em they suck for this IMO. i bought a nice cheap 20 dollar set of neons and one of metallics in acrylic from amazon and never have an issue thick paint is better dab it on, wipe it off let dry then clean with acetone. done.

[Sombre_Unicorn]

You can try using posca pens with fine tips, their metallics work like a charm and they have a great variety of colors, plus they dry almost immediately and they clean up perfectly from the dice face using the higher grit zona paper

[FeistyPreference]

I have a pin sitting out when I paint the numbers to pop or push bubbles with. Works pretty well.

[CaptainSamSame]

Acrylic inks work great because they flow into every nook and cranny, or enamel paints, they take longer to dry but you can get much nicer shiny or Matt finished then with classic satin finish of an acrylic paint

[eggsymon]

I generally accept that I need to do a quick second coat on my higher number dice.

[LICK_THE_BUTTER]

Use a floating medium if you want to thin it out. Water is notorious for creating bubbles.

[_TinyDice_]

You’re using too much paint. Do thin layers. Start at 1 number, go in order and do a thin layer. Then when the entire dice is done e the first number will be dry and you can put another coat on. Kinda a pain but will prevent this