Synthetic paper

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Synthetic paper (or Yupo) is a type of plastic that is most commonly used combined with alcohol inks. Because alcohol ink is volatile and thus dries quickly, a non-porous surface such as synthetic paper has several benefits:

  • The ink doesn't get absorbed into the paper, which gives you time (until the ink dries) to easily move the colors around.
  • If you don't like the result, pure alcohol (Isopropanol with a higher than 90% alcohol level) can be used to clean off most of the ink, allowing you to start over with an almost clean slate, literally.


Synthetic paper can also be cut with a die-cutting machine. You can also heat emboss synthetic papers, but depending on the type and brand it might warp. So if you do use a heat tool on synthetic paper, keep the tool moving and leave some distance between the heat tool and the paper.