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Ink Pads Explained

Have you ever been a little confused over what ink pad you should use on your next project?  Hopeully this guide can set the record straight!

There are a wide variety of ink pads out there and they all have their own different uses.  But with all ink pads, regardless of types, there are a couple of simple rules to follow.  The best way to ink your stamp is to turn the ink pad over and 'dab' it onto the surface of your stamp.  As ink pads have a raised surface you can use any size inkpad with any sized stamp.  Smaller ink pads will offer a more cost effective way to complete your colour range, but will require a little more time in covering larger stamps.  Keep your ink pad nice and juicy to ensure best coverage and always replace the lid between stamping.  

The ink pads we have here at Craft Giraffe can be put into one of the following categories: Waterbased Dye, Waterproof Dye, Pigment, Solvent Based and Clear.

  1. Waterbased Dye Ink Pads (Distress by Tim Holtz / Catherine Pooler Premium Dye Inks) - These pads are acid free and fade resistant but as they are waterbased, they are not waterproof.  Because of this there are many techniques available to use with this style outside of simply rubber stamping.  

    1. Use with a brayer to transfer the ink onto cardstock

    2. Create your own sprays by using a small amount of reinker in a mister

    3. "Watercolour" your stamped images by dabbing onto a craft mat and then transferring colour with an Aqua Brush

    4. Use a foam blending tool to transfer ink from pad to project

    5. Alternative to clear embossing ink

  2. Waterproof Dye Ink Pads (Memento by Tsukineko or Ranger Archival) - As indicated by the name these waterbased ink pads are water resistant once stamped and colour will not bleed.  Because of this they are the only ink pad recommended to use with Alcohol based markers and watercolours.  These ink pads are permanent and fast drying.

  3. Pigment Ink Pads (Brilliance by Tsukineko, Versacolor by Tsukineko) - Pigment ink pads have a thicker consistency that most others and as a result will require more drying time or heat setting.  This longer drying time means they are perfect for use with embossing powders.
  4. Solvent Based Ink Pads (StazOn by Tsukineko) - These ink pads are fast drying and permanent and can be used on all sorts of surfaces from cardstock to glass, acetate to metal.C
  5. Clear Ink Pads (Embossing) (Clear Distress by Tim Holtz, Versamark by Tsukineko, Clear Resist by Ranger) - These pads have no colour and can be used with embossing powders, perfect pearls etc as the ink holds the powder.  When stamped and left to dry, they can also be gone over with dye ink and a brayer or foam pad to create a "resist".  Versamark is also available in pen form.

Use our quick guide table to see what is right for you!

Handy Ink Pad Guide
Ink Pad Type         Permanent on non-pourous Permanent on pourous Water soluble on pourous Drying/Heat setting required Can be Embossing Powder?
Waterbased (Distress) No Yes Yes No Yes
Waterproof (Memento) No Yes No No No
Pigment (Briliance / Versacolor) Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Solvent (StazOn) Yes Yes No No Yes
Clear Emboss (Distress / Versamark) No Yes No Yes Yes