Alpha Blue vs Blue Ink

How close are they?

ΔE 8.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Blue Ink is more saturated, warmer than Alpha Blue. They are different kinds of paint: Army Painter Alpha Blue is an opaque base/layer paint and Formula P3 Blue Ink is an ink, glaze or transparent paint, so they won’t behave the same on the model even where the colour is close.

Can I use Blue Ink instead of Alpha Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Blue Ink is more saturated, warmer than Alpha Blue. They are different kinds of paint.

Can I use Alpha Blue instead of Blue Ink?

The same difference applies the other way round: Alpha Blue is more muted, cooler.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.