Swink®: The Smarter Alternative to Traditional Paints and Inks

In a saturated market of synthetic paints and plasticky inks, it’s easy to assume there’s nothing new worth trying. That’s exactly why I created Swink®, a serious alternative for artists and printmakers who care about performance and the planet.

We’re talking about two distinct products here: Swink® Artists Acrylic Paint and Swink® Screen Printing Ink. Both are engineered with a completely natural base, made from seaweed, wool, and plant materials, meaning no synthetics, no solvents, no petroleum-derived polymers.

These aren’t novelty “eco” products. They’re high-performance materials developed with intent, tested in real creative settings, and manufactured in North Wales with purpose.

The Problem with Traditional Paints

Conventional acrylic paints and screen printing inks are typically built on acrylic polymer emulsions, essentially liquid plastic. Once dry, they become microplastics, sealed into artwork, prints, or textiles. That means every rinse in the sink, every brush clean, every fabric wash risks sending microplastics into waterways.

They also tend to come with a heavy chemical load: VOCs, synthetic binders, plasticisers, all adding up to a more toxic working environment, even for hobbyists.

What Makes Swink® Different?

Swink® replaces synthetic polymers with a natural binder system, primarily using seaweed-derived alginate, a material known for its film-forming ability, flexibility, and biodegradability. Pigments are plant-based or earth-derived, offering vibrant, stable colour without the petroleum footprint.

The result is a paint and ink range that performs to professional standards, while reducing the environmental and health toll significantly.

No chemical odour. No cracked, plasticky finish. And no compromise on colour depth or control.

SWINK Artist’s Acrylic Paint

SWINK’s acrylic paint is soft-bodied, with excellent flow and opacity. It’s ideal for artists working on canvas, paper, wood, or board, whether you’re layering, dry brushing, or glazing.

Expect:

• A smooth matte finish that doesn’t reflect like plastic.

• Excellent pigment load. Rich, saturated colour with less product.

• Consistent behaviour across brushes, palette knives, and fingers alike.
  

It blends easily, layers without tearing up the surface underneath, and dries without the rubbery sheen of petroleum-based acrylics. You get the versatility and performance of a high-grade studio acrylic, minus the synthetic burden.

Swink® Screen Printing Ink

For screen printers, Swink® Ink offers precision and reliability. It’s water-based but not runny, with a balanced viscosity that works cleanly on paper, card, fabric, or wood.

Key advantages:

• Fast curing with excellent adhesion and crisp detail.

• Soft hand feel, no plastic crunch or stiffness on fabric.

• Simple clean-up with warm water; no solvents required.

  
  

The ink cures fully and holds up to repeated washing on textiles. It retains colour integrity over time and won’t peel, flake, or bleed once dry. For designers producing sustainable goods or studios looking to reduce chemical exposure, it’s a smart, scalable choice.

Why Swink®?

Because it solves a problem that most creatives don’t even realise they have: their tools are built on plastic. Swink® offers a cleaner, safer way to paint and print, one that doesn’t sacrifice quality or experience.

It’s made in small batches. It’s backed by real-world testing. And it’s part of our wider mission at CaplinTec: to reimagine everyday products using renewable, circular materials.

If you're a painter, a printmaker, a designer, or just a curious creative, Swink® is ready for your bench.

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