Choosing what you need
Should I buy pigment or ready-made paint?
Buy the paint if you want to open a jar and start painting. It is mixed and ready for canvas, wood and most art surfaces. Buy the pigment if you want to mix your own, work with resin, candles, nail gel or fabric, or want control over how strong the glow is. Pigment also works out cheaper per gram of glow.
Which particle size should I choose, 0-30 µm or 65-95 µm?
Choose fine 0-30 µm for acrylic paint, thin coats, airbrush, nail gel, fabric and small details. It mixes in smoothly and leaves no texture you can feel. Choose large 65-95 µm for resin, casting, candles, walls and concrete. The bigger crystals hold more light, so the glow is stronger and lasts longer, but you will feel a slight grain in the surface. Not sure? Fine handles most projects. Browse all pigments
What is the difference between the two particle sizes?
Same strontium aluminate pigment, different grind. Fine is about as fine as flour. Large has bigger crystals that store more light, so it glows brighter for longer. Mixing ratio, charging and lifespan are identical for both.
What is a medium, and do I need one?
A medium is the clear base that turns loose glow powder into paint. The powder on its own will not stick to anything. If you bought pigment, you need one. If you bought ready-made paint, it is already in there. See our mediums
Which medium do I need?
It depends what you are making. Fluid medium for smooth paint on canvas or wood. Gel medium for thick, textured paint that holds its shape. Fabric medium for clothing and other fabric. Airbrush medium for spraying. Compare all mediums
Which varnish should I use?
All four protect the same way. The difference is the finish: gloss for shine, high gloss for maximum shine, satin for a soft sheen, matte for no reflection at all. See all varnishes
Which colour glows the brightest?
Greens and yellow-greens are strongest, at 12+ hours or more. Blues and oranges run 6 to 10+ hours. Pinks and purples are softest at around 4 hours. Every product page lists its own glow time. Browse by colour
Mixing it
How much pigment do I mix into my medium?
Start at 25% pigment to 75% medium by weight and adjust from there. Staying at or below 35% keeps the mixture smooth and easy to spread. Much beyond that and there is not quite enough medium to carry the powder comfortably, so the mix becomes thicker and harder to work with.
What can I mix glow pigment with?
Almost any clear or light-coloured medium will work. Acrylic mediums, resin and epoxy, varnish, clear glue, nail gel, candle wax, silicone, clay, plaster, soap bases and many oils are all used successfully. The only real rule is that light has to reach the pigment, so anything dark or opaque will dull the glow. If you are trying something unusual, mix a small test batch first. See our mediums
Can I use any brand of acrylic medium?
Yes, any clear acrylic medium works. We stock Liquitex because it is consistent and widely available, but the pigment is not fussy about brand.
Gloss or matte, which should I choose?
It only changes how shiny the dried surface looks, not how brightly it glows. Gloss reflects more light in daylight, matte keeps reflections down. Pick whichever suits the piece.
Do I need a white base underneath?
Only on dark or strongly coloured surfaces. White reflects light back up through the glow paint, while dark surfaces absorb it instead. See white gesso primer
Do I need gesso if my canvas is already white?
Usually not. A white, acrylic-ready canvas already gives the glow something to reflect off. Gesso is for dark or coloured surfaces.
How many coats should I apply?
Two to four thin coats, letting each one dry fully before the next. Thin layers build a stronger glow than one thick coat and dry more evenly.
Why is my glow weak?
Usually one of five things: not enough pigment in the mix, a dark surface underneath, a dark or cloudy medium, too few coats, or not enough charging time. Work through them in that order and you will normally find it. See UV flashlights
Charging & glow
How long does the glow last after charging?
Between 4 and 12+ hours, depending on the colour. Greens and yellow-greens last longest, blues and oranges run 6 to 10+ hours, and pinks and purples are around 4. The exact time is listed on every product page.
How do I charge it properly?
Any strong light will do it: direct sunlight, a UV flashlight or a bright indoor lamp. You will see a glow almost instantly, but give it one to two minutes for the longest result. A UV flashlight is fastest and works in any room. Learn more about charging
Does the glow wear out over time?
No. Strontium aluminate does not lose its ability to glow. What wears out is the surface it sits in, so sealing a piece is what makes it last.
How bright is this compared to cheap glow products?
Much brighter, and for much longer. Most cheap glow products use zinc sulfide, which fades within minutes. Everything we sell is strontium aluminate, which is what gives you hours instead of minutes.
Surfaces, safety & durability
What surfaces can I use it on?
Canvas, wood, walls, plastic, metal, 3D prints, shoes, fabric, resin, nails and concrete. Light surfaces give the best result. On anything dark, use a white base first.
Is it safe around children and pets?
Yes for art, craft and home decor. Our pigments are non-toxic and non-radioactive. They are not made for use on skin and should not be swallowed, so treat the powder like any other craft material.
Can I use it on ceramics or polymer clay?
Yes, but only after all firing or baking is finished. Strontium aluminate cannot survive kiln or oven temperatures. Fire or bake the piece as normal, let it cool fully, then apply the pigment on top with paint, resin or a clear binder, and seal it afterwards to protect it.
What temperature can the pigment handle?
Up to approximately 800°C: White to Green, White to Cyan, White to Blue, White to White and White to Purple. All other colours should not exceed approximately 230°C. If heat is involved at all, check the product page before you buy.
Is it waterproof? Do I need to seal it?
It becomes water-resistant once fully dry, but it is not waterproof. Seal anything that will be handled, worn or kept outdoors with a clear varnish. This matters more than usual with glow pigment, because moisture is what damages it over time. See varnishes
Can I put my finished piece outdoors?
Yes, with a clear varnish over it. For anything living outside, use two or three coats and choose a sheltered spot rather than full exposure to rain. See varnishes
Shipping & delivery
How much is shipping and how long does it take?
We ship worldwide from the EU with flat-rate tracked shipping. Delivery takes 2 to 15 business days depending on your region, and the estimate for your country is shown on every product page. Flat rates are Europe €5, UK £4.40, Canada CA$8, USA $8 with all duties prepaid, and rest of world €8.50. During busy holiday periods delivery can take 1-2 extra business days.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes, free worldwide shipping on orders over €85. Below that, the flat rate for your region applies at checkout.
Will I have to pay import taxes? (USA customers)
No. We cover import duties on orders to the USA, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay, with no surprise charges on delivery.
How can I track my order?
You will get a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships, and you can check it online any time.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. We ship from the EU to customers worldwide, with tracked delivery on every order.
Returns, refunds & wholesale
What is your return policy?
You have 30 days from receiving your order to request a return, and items must be unused and in their original packaging.
Can I return an opened jar?
No. Once a jar of pigment or paint is opened we cannot resell it, so opened items cannot be returned. If something arrives damaged or is not what you ordered, get in touch and we will sort it out.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk pricing?
Yes, for businesses, resellers and large projects. Get in touch through our contact page and we will send you our wholesale price list.
