[en] Direct solution coating technique has emerged as a promising economically viable process for earth abundant chalcogenide absorber materials for photovoltaic applications. Here, direct ethanol based dip coating of earth abundant Cu₂NiSnS₄ (CNTS) films on soda lime glass (SLG), molybdenum coated glass (Mo), and fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass (FTO) substrates is investigated. The structural and morphological properties of pre-annealed and sulfurized CNTS films coated on SLG, FTO, and Mo substrates are reported. The influence of dipping cycles on composition and optoelectronic properties of pre-annealed and sulfurized CNTS films deposited on SLG substrate is presented. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis reveal how changes in thickness and elemental composition affect morphology and optoelectronic properties. The obtained absorption coefficient, optical bandgap, resistivity and mobility of pre - annealed and sulfurized films are found to be 10⁴ cm⁻¹, 1.5 eV, 0.48 Ωcm, 3.4 cm²/Vs and 10⁴ cm⁻¹, 1.29 eV, 0.14 Ωcm, 11.0 cm²/Vs, respectively. These properties are well suited for photovoltaic applications and lead to the conclusion that the direct ethanol based dip coating can be an alternative economically viable process for the fabrication of earth abundant CNTS absorber layers for thin film solar cells. - Highlights: • Direct solution dip coating of CNTS films is reported for the first time. • Influence of dipping cycles on elemental composition, morphology of CNTS are examined. • Change in morphology of pre-annealed and sulfurized films coated on different substrates. • Variation of optoelectronic properties with compositional ratios of the films. • Electrical properties of CNTS films are reported for the first time.