Jim I generally take a pint of as high an alchohol I can get and add probably 15 or more drops of india ink , basicly I add enough so when I dip strip would in I see a differnce. Trial and error . I've never used water in place of alcohol , the idea is the alcohol evaporates leaving the india ink. Alcohol will warp materials that are thin like laser cut material or even a roof. For delicate materials I will use Methol hydrate in place of the alcohol.Lynn , what kind of dilution rate are you using for your A/I wash ? Could you sub water for alcohol ? Why did you choose the alcohol?