Ink pads

Just curious, what type of inks do you use? I just recently started buying some ink pads, and really like the Versamagic, Brilliance, and Versafine pads. The Versafine really does bring out the detail in the stamps - I just to always have a problem with blotched spots but not with that pad. I bought the Opalite reinkers and the squegee, and played with those some too.

Jeannette

I have VersaColor, Stampin' Up!, Big 'n' Juicy, ColorBox, and one Impress pad. I have a bunch of different black kinds from a group project (we needed multiple black pads, DH bought whatever he could find at the time). I use Topboss for embossing. I also have Staz-on black for acetate stamping.

I've used the Versafine and love those, just haven't had a great need to buy one for myself yet.

I primarily have the VersaColor and Stampin' Up! Stampin' Spots, just because I have a limited budget. The VersaColor squares were $2 apiece, and the Stampin' Up! ones were less than that, though you need to buy them in a box of 12. I got lucky, though, because I ordered one color set through my mom and mentioned I would get other colors later but couldn't afford them now, and she said that she put me down as a hostess on her order, so I got two more sets for free! (The order was for me, mom, MIL, and SIL, so there wasn't a hostess party involved that time). So that was a sudden influx of 36 colors!!! Both the Versa and the SU work fine for me, though.

I really like the effects you get with the ColorBox chalk inks.

Barbara

Having tried a bunch of different inks, I pretty much settled on ColorBox Crafters' Ink for most uses; it's similar to the regular ColorBox pigment ink, but it heat-sets to a waterproof permanence, which makes it great for stamping on wood, metal, ceramic and other non-paper items, as well as perfect for embossing. For dye ink projects, I like Ancient Page for the subtlety of the colors.

I haven't tried the versafine yet, I have some highly detailed stamps and haven't been able to get them to stamp quite right. Was thinking it might be my technique. I'll have to give it a try. I use stazon, brilliance, colorbox and some of the distress pads. To be honest, I use alot of the reinkers and inks and just a drop or two on a styrofoam plate and ink a stamp up with a small rubber brayer. We are just now starting to get the Opalite reinkers in our area. Haven't seen any stamp pads so not sure if they have any. I just recieved my first order of alcohol inks I'm iching to try out.

Right now, I have gotten hooked on the colors of Ranger's Adirondack inks. But knowing me.. that will change soon!

Pat

Kenda, What I really love about the Versafina is how easy it is to ink the stamp. Only one or two taps, and the stamp is completely covered. The only time it didn't bring out all the details was in a large photo stamp. But then I just placed the paper on the stamp, and brayered it, and it came out beautifully. I would like to try the Stax on and alcohol inks, but haven't gotten around to buying it yet.

Jeannette

I sure hadn't thought to put the paper on the stamp then brayer it. I will have to pick up a Versafine and give it a go. Thanks for the info.

One hint to anyone trying Staz-On inks for the first time - clean your stamp ASAP. When they say "stays on", they mean it!

Barbara

I stamp into my Versamark FIRST then into the Staz-On. It makes it easier to clean afterward. BUT, if you are stamping the same image more than once make sure you clean it before stamping into the Versamark the second time.

Cecelia

Well, my major weakness is that if I like an inkpad, I must have it in all colors... so I try not to try new inkpads! :-)

My favs are: Brilliance (for almost anything); VersaColor (especially for with my Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps); VersaMark (for embossing and watermark and resist).

I have, but rarely use: Encore Metallics; Stampin Up (all colors in the inkspots size); ColorBox Chalks (what was I thinking???); Staz-On (great for non-porous surfaces, I just don't do much of that); and Memories (too watery for my preferences)

Nice to see some chatter for a change! Alison

Jeannette,

If you'd like to find a use for your Encore Metallics (which are very pretty just used as intended), try this: Stamp with Encore Metallics onto scratchboard paper (also called glitter board) and then heat set (this step is very important). Now use a damp cloth or baby wipe to wipe away the metallic ink. The ink and black coating disappear and what is left is a perfect image of your stamp on the scratch board.

Scratch board is that paper covered over with black gloss that is meant to be scratched off to leave the metallic color where the scratch is.

If you use a silver or gold scratch board you can use gel pens to color in the lines - but it takes at least an hour for the gel pens to dry.

Karen R. Brooks

Is it necessary to use the special cleaner with the Staz On pad or can I just use the alcohol-free baby wipes that I use for everything else?

Jeannette

I mostly use the CTMH inks, since that is what I sell, but also use stayz-on, versamark and fabrico for some projects. I am very excited to see the new ink pads the CTMH came out with at convention this year, (just waiting on my order!) the pads are redesigned for correct storage and easy to read labels and the ink is supposedly "creamier" if that is the correct word to use. I have always loved these dye based inkpads, and hopefully the changes are for the better! Arleen

That was me who doesn't use her Encore. Interesting technique, thanks for sharing. I'll confess, I'm not terribly likely to go out and buy another product just to get me to use this product. Besides, when I emboss in silver or gold, I go straight for my Encores... I just don't do that as much as I used to.

Oh, yeah, I also have 4 colors of the Opalites. Eh, since I don't use glossy black paper often, and I feel their too subtle on anything else, they tend to sit untouched as well. Although, I did have some fun a couple of weeks ago using them on black shrink plastic.

Alison

You don't have to use the "Staz-On" cleaner, but you do need to use *some* product explicitly intended for cleaning permanent ink off stamps (there are several out there). Of course, that's only if you give a hoot about your stamps being clean... I don't stress over it, but I do use Ranger's permanent ink cleaner after using permanent inks like Staz-On.

Alison

Alison,

The other thing I use my Encore pads for is stamping messages inside of cards (or my name on the back). I love that sparkle that they add.

Karen R. Brooks

Yes, but they don't dry, and they transfer to the facing page and often smudge in the process.

My, aren't I a negative Nellie today! I'm really not a total grump, I promise.

Alison

Been lurking and couldn't help but pass on a "trick" I read about regarding ink removal (Staz On in particular). Use "instant hand sanitizer" like Purell. Works GREAT for hard to clean stamps.

Thanks for all the tips and advice I've gleened from all of you!

LeAnn

Those hand sanitizers are alcohol based - they'll clean the stamps, but they're really bad for the rubber. Use them for long and you'll wind up with hard, brittle stamps.