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Sprays for Mixed Media and Paper Crafting

Ranger is well known for many art and craft supplies especially for use in mixed media and card making and sprays are among the most popular!  Sprays within the Ranger portfolio include Dina Wakley Gloss Sprays,  Dylusions by Dyan Reaveley Ink Sprays and Shimmer Sprays, Tim Holtz Distress® Oxide® Sprays, Spray Stains, Spritz, and Resist Spray, Simon Hurley create. Solar Spray, and even empty spray bottles are widely used in many craft projects.

Ranger’s sprays are manufactured in the USA. Each spray is formulated to work with a different technique and result in mind. Our sprays have different properties and vary in color, intensity, palette, dry time, coverage and opacity.

Ink Sprays, Stains, Shimmer, Color Shift, Gloss or Resist - Which should I use for my art projects?

Ink Sprays and Stains are great to use for backgrounds, blended color effects, and layering.

Shimmer Sprays, Solar Sprays and Mica Mist are perfect as a finishing touch and when you want to add pearlescent or metallic shine over your base inks or paints. Great for highlights, luminous backgrounds, or mixed-media pieces where you want subtle shimmer or a more “magical” finish.

Gloss Sprays are an opaque acrylic spray that dries to a glossy finish.

Resist Sprays — Ideal for layering effects where you want some parts to resist inks or paints.

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If you love adding color and texture to your projects without a lot of fuss, ink sprays are about to be your new favorite thing. They're quick, layerable and work on paper, fabric, wood – pretty much whatever you're creating on. Whether you're after soft watercolor-style washes or bolder, more saturated effects, you've got options.

Ink sprays from Ranger are specially formulated for mixed media, so it plays well with other products in your stash. Mist lightly for a subtle tint, or build up layers for something more dramatic. You can even spray over stencils for crisp edges or let colors bleed together for a more organic look.

These sprays pair beautifully with paints if you want to mix techniques and get even more mileage out of your color palette. Grab a few shades and see what happens; sometimes the best results come from just playing around.

FAQs

What is the difference between all of Ranger's spray types — Ink Sprays, Spray Stains, Oxide Sprays, Shimmer Sprays, Mica Sprays, Gloss Sprays, Solar Sprays, Spritz, and Resist Spray?
  • Color/Background Sprays: Dylusions Ink Sprays are vibrant, dye-based, and water-reactive. Distress Spray Stains are fluid and water-reactive in 64 Distress colors. Distress Oxide Sprays give that chalky oxidized look. Tim Holtz Distress® Spritz can be used to create colorful, luminous effects and backgrounds.
  • Shimmer/Finishing Sprays: Shimmer Sprays, Mica Sprays, and Solar Sprays add pearlescent or metallic shine on top of colors. Dylusions Shimmer Sprays work on paper, canvas, wood, and fabric. Solar Sprays give a color shifting pearlescent effect, and Mica Sprays add metallic shimmer in the Distress palette.
  • Specialty Sprays: Gloss Spray dries glossy, opaque, and permanent. Resist Spray dries clear and water-resistant, repelling inks for reveal techniques.
What surfaces can I use Ranger sprays on, and do I need to prep the surface first?

Most sprays work on porous surfaces: paper, mixed media cardstock, watercolor paper, canvas, wood, and natural fabric. Thin paper may buckle; heavier cardstock handles sprays best.

Why does my spray nozzle clog, and how do I fix or prevent it?

Clogs happen when dye-based sprays dry in the nozzle or when small particles of mica or pigment get stuck . Prevent it by wiping the tip to keep the sprayers clean after use. To fix a clog, soak the nozzle in warm water and spray them out every so often. The above usually resolves the issue, if not, swap in a replacement sprayer.

What's the difference between a Distress Spray Stain and a Distress Oxide Spray?

Spray Stains give you that fluid, water-reactive Distress color in mist form, great for fast background coverage and blending with water. Oxide Sprays use a dye-and-pigment blend that turns chalky and oxidized once you mist it, so the finish lands more matte and weathered instead of bright and fluid.

I want shimmer, not flat color. What should I reach for?

Ranger offers a few different spray options for shimmer, it comes down to preference and the result you are looking for.  Mica Sprays bring metallic shimmer in the Distress paletteTim Holtz Distress® Spritz is a luminous spray that adds colorful shimmer to your favorite Distress products.   Dylusions  Shimmer Sprays by Dyan Reaveley add pearlescent finishing shine over a base color, and Simon Hurley’s Solar Sprays give you that color-shifting effect that looks a little different depending on the light hitting it.

What are the different ways sprays can be used?

Sprays are ready to use as is for a more full coverage look. To achieve a lighter or more organic and textured effect, mist water over top the sprays after applying to your surface.

What's a good spray to choose to get started if I've never used one?

A Dylusions Ink Spray or a Distress Spray Stain is a solid starting point. Both are versatile enough for backgrounds, layering and stencil work. Once you've got a feel for those, branching into shimmer or oxide finishes offers more versatility.

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