Ink Pad Comparisons - Let's Get Inky and Explore! by Ellen Hutson

Please be advised that the information to follow is my own personal perspective and is not to be taken as the official information on ink and ink pads. It is going to get long and boring for some of you, but I hope that you will find it interesting and of value. This information comes with a HUGE disclaimer! You must not take this as final word on any of these products, it is only my opinion and my experience. Ink characteristics can change dependent upon the paper that you select, as well as the environment in which you live. This information has been garnered over time through my own experience, as well as through conversations with manufacturers representatives and much reading. It is my interpretation of what it is that I have learned.

My hope is that through this post you can begin to understand some of the differences between the many inks pads that are available to you, but I am absolutely certain (without a doubt!) that I have missed something that may be of importance. As all good students I will continue to explore, and hopefully as a good teacher, I will not tell you that I know everything about this subject. I do NOT know everything. I am not a chemist, I am not an ink manufacturer - I am only a person who loves to stamp and share what I have learned. So let's get started.

There are MANY different ink manufacturers in today's world. The four primary rubber stamping ink pad manufacturers, whose products I have worked with are:

• Ranger Ink Industries
• Stewart Superior
• Tsukineko LLC
• Clearsnap/Color Box

I have had wonderful success with ink pads and inks from all of these manufacturers.

In addition to these four main manufacturers there are many more private labeled stamp pads, and most likely other manufacturers that I have missed. Some, but not all, include: Stampin' Up!, PaperTrey Ink, Impress, A Muse, and Hero Arts . These stamp pads are typically manufactured by one of the "big name" companies (please note that I said typically - I do not know where all stamp pads are manufactured and so this has a huge disclaimer on it). These companies most often are producing colors of ink pads to coordinate with a specific line of products they carry or manufacture. I believe that most of these companies will have resources available to teach you about their individual line of products. Since it is my goal with this article to primarily teach you about the inks that I have selected to carry in our store I will not be referencing these companies in this article. That is not to say that these are not good products. I am certain that many of these products are of similar quality.

As a beginner stamper the first stamp pads I fell in love with were the Adirondack Dye Ink Pads. One of the very first techniques I learned from a friend and fellow stamper/teacher, was to use dye ink on glossy cardstock. The vibrancy of the colors was addictive!

It has taken quite a lot of time, and expense (you should see all the different ink pads I own - LOL!), to explore the many varieties of stamp pads on the market. At first I found it quite confusing. It is this confusion that I hope I can help many beginner stampers, and perhaps even some of the more advanced stampers, dispel with today.

Again, please be advised that the information to follow is my own personal perspective.

RUBBER STAMPING INK TYPES

Let's start with the different varieties of ink types.

Most common variety of ink pads:

• Dye
• Pigment

Other varieties include:

• Hybrid
• Solvent
• Resist, Watermarking and Embossing
• Glue
• Tattoo
• Bleaching

Dye Inks:

• dye ink is thinner in consistency than pigment ink and will typically dry more quickly
• it can be permanent, non-permanent, or permanent only after heat activation - be certain to read individual labels for this information
• ink is more "transparent" in nature
• typically this pad consists of a cloth covered felt pad with a surface raised above the edge of the ink pad container - this characteristic makes it more user friendly when applying the ink pad directly to the paper (DTP)
• some dye inks, specifically chalk inks, are made of a foam pad with a high density "skin" on top of it - foam pad varieties need to be inked more frequently and are easier to over-ink (see below for more information regarding chalk ink)
• some recommend storing dye ink pads upside down - this is to keep the ink at the top of the pad. I prefer to store mine right side up and purchase a reinker when I purchase a new pad. A properly inked pad is one of the most useful tools you own.
• dye ink pads come in a large variety of colors
• products that fit within this category:
  • Adirondack Dye Ink Pads, Ranger
  • Ancient Page, Clearsnap/Color Box
  • Archival Ink Pads, Ranger
  • Distress Ink Pads, Ranger
  • Kaleidacolor Dye Ink Pads, Tsukineko
  • Memento Ink Pads, Tsukineko
  • Memories Acid Free Dye Ink Pads, Stewart Superior
  • Vivid, Clearsnap/Color Box
• chalk inks:
  •  a variety of dye ink pad, but due to the extensive differences I felt that they deserved their own heading
  • provide opaque ink coverage
  • muted chalky look with whitish residue or "chalky look" visible in reinkers
  • my personal preference for use with polymer stamps (because we do not carry a large variety of polymer stamps in our store, we do not currently carry this type of ink pad)
  • dye ink typically in a skin-foam ink pad
  • products that fit within this category:
    • Antiquities, Ranger
    • Fluid Chalk Ink Pads, Clearsnap/Color Box
    • Fresco, Stampa Rosa
    • Memories Chalk Inks, Stewart Superior
    • VersaMagic, Tsukineko

Pigment Inks:

• thick and slow drying on paper
• more opaque then dye inks
• most suitable for embossing techniques (embossing powders)
• may not dry on non-porous surfaces such as plastic or metal
• may contain glycerin - this ingredient provides increased dry time
• typically acid-free
• more fade resistant than dye inks and therefore perhaps more useful in scrapbooks
• best for stamping on absorbent papers where sharp detail is needed
• some pigment inks can be heat set for permanence on plastic, vellum or fabric
• Brilliance inks dry naturally on smooth surfaces such as vellum and/or coated papers, but it can take time
• pigment pads are typically foam style pads - ink soaks in to the pad, yet ink is available when ready to stamp
• pigment pads need to be reinked much more regularly than standard dye ink pads
• due to their "squishy" nature be certain to use a light hand, do not push your stamp in to this variety of ink pad but lightly press ink it on the surface of the foam pad. If you overink your stamp you will end up with a "messy" stamped image. You will need to completely clean your rubber stamp before inking it again.
• products that fit within this category:
  • Adirondack Pigment Ink Pads, Ranger
  • Brilliance Fast Drying Pigment Ink Pads, Tsukineko
  • Color Box Crafters, Clearsnap/Color Box
  • Encore Metallic Pigment Ink Pads, Tsukineko
  • VersaColor Pigment Ink Pads, Tsukineko
  • VersaCraft Ink Pads, Tsukineko (previously known as Fabrico - designed for stamping on fabric, wood, leather, shrink plastic, polymer clay, porcelain)
  • VersaFine Ink Pads, Tsukineko - this natural oil-based pigment ink dries instantly on matte cardstock, providing incredibly fine detail. Advised that no reinkers is needed for this stamp pad because it lasts 3-4 times longer than regular inks, but coming out with reinkers for most used colors shortly, if not already. I believe I will start carrying these shortly after this study Ü
  • Pigment Petal Points, Clearsnap/Color Box

Hybrid Inks - Palette by Stewart Superior:

• combination of dye and pigment ink (does not contain solvents)
• works on most surfaces including glass, plastic, acetate, metal, fabric and more
• does not smell bad and is nonflammable
• dries instantly on paper and porous surfaces; can require heat setting on glossy surfaces and fabrics
• dries too quickly to be a good embossing ink in most regions of the U.S.
• raised pad surface
• fast drying
• waterproof

Solvent Inks:

• Solvent based inks need a special cleaner and typically have an "odor" to them (example - Staz-On)
• Opaque and dries on smooth surfaces such as glass, dominos, metal and acetate
• most common variety available - Staz-On

Resist, Watermark, and Embossing Inks:

• resist ink is designed to resist dye based ink when stamped on glossy or coated papers - will not provide resist effect on standard card stock
• watermark ink is designed to leave a "watermark" or tone-on-tone effect on standard card stock
• the sticky nature of watermark inks allows them to be used as embossing powders or to attract pigment powders
• products that fit within this category:
  • Clear Resist, Ranger
  • Embossing Ink, Ranger
  • Perfect Medium, Ranger
  • VersaMark and VersaMark Dazzle, Tsukineko

Specialty Ink Pads:

• Glue Pads:
  •  Most common varieties available:
    • Essential Glue Pad, Tsukineko
    • Palette Stamp and Stick Glue Pad, Stewart Superior
• Tattoo Ink Stamp Pads:
  •  Most common varieties available:
    •  Stampin' Up!
• Castaway Pad by Jacquard - lightens paper similar to bleach, but supposed to be more effective than stamping with bleach. I did not have good results with this pad.

THE INKS WE CARRY AND WHY

 

For your convenience this is a quick link to our store and the entire line of ink pads we carry.

RANGER INK INDUSTRIES

• Distress Ink Pads and Reinkers:
  • The amazing versatility when it comes to using this ink pad for distress and watercolor techniques is the primary reason we carry these ink pads.
    • slow drying inks (stay wet longer) allowing you to blend, shade and emboss on photos and paper
    • works well for direct to paper (DTP) - apply the ink pad directly to paper to create an aged look
    • perfect for distressing papers and coloring photos
    • distress ink works well on all types of photos - inkjet, laser, toner copies, regular photos (both matte and glossy) and even can be used to "color" photos. Start by applying a light color using a brayer, DTP or ink blending tool. Blend colors with tool or finger, softening edges. These inks stay wet long enough for you to blend out any lines or marks that other ink pads leave on photos.
    • the fluidity of this ink allows the color to wick and spread out, traveling across the surface of your paper when spritzed with water. Other dye inks do not "travel" in the same manner. This capacity allows for creating beautiful tone on tone colors.
    • color stability - the integrity of these colors remain true after being watered down or heated, allowing for greater color control. Unlike other comparative products that may change color when water is introduced. For example brown colored dyes will typically break down when water is added, leaving behind pink or green hues on your paper. Distress inks will not do this.
    • these inks work beautifully for watercolor techniques - apply ink directly to stamp, spritz with water and stamp or apply by using a droplet of ink and a watercolor brush.
    • to distress papers apply ink directly to paper, spritz with water, crumple and tear. Heat to dry for greater color/tone control and contrast.
    • to create a charcoal sketch effect stamp image inked with Black Soot, then lightly spritz with water.
    • put a few drops of distress ink or apply an ink pad direct to a Teflon sheet. Spritz with water and then pull cardstock through mixture; swirling, pulling, drying and then applying a new layer will provide many unique looks.
• Adirondack Dye Ink Pads and Reinkers
  • The primary reason we carry this ink pad is for its clean lines when used with Copic Markers, coupled together with a fast drying time. This was the first ink that I discovered that I was pleased with the results when used together with Copic Markers. We began with only two colors - Pitch Black and Espresso, but have since added more colors to our store to complete the line for those who love this ink variety as much as I do. I have yet to test these colors with the Copic Markers and so you will need to stay tuned for that experiment.
    • non-toxic, fast drying ink
    • large color variety:
      • lights - great for shadow stamping or tone-on-tone stamping
      • brights - vibrant colors
      • earthtones - luscious colors, some of my first favorites!
    • Pitch Black and Espresso do not bleed when stamped on Neenah cardstock and allowed approximately a minute to dry before coloring with Copic Markers
• Adirondack Pigment Ink Pads
  • In looking for a white pigment ink that had full opaque coverage when stamping on colored cardstock I was very impressed with the look established with the use of the Adirondack Pigment Snow Cap Ink Pad. We have since added the full line of pigment pads to give our customers more pigment options.
    • acid free, non-toxic, archival
    • rich, opaque ink
    • air dries on matte papers
    • embossable
    • heat set on gloss paper, vellum, mica, shrink plastic, metal and glass
    • be certain to replace the liner before replacing lid for added protection against drying out
• Archival Ink Pad and Reinker
  • This ink pad is a definite "go to" when it comes to black ink due to its versatility in use on many surfaces. As well, it is useful for numerous specialty techniques.
    • acid-free, permanent, dye ink
    • oil-based making it a perfect ink for stamping over alcohol-ink applications (please note that I said stamping OVER - this ink is not recommended for stamping images and then coloring these images in with alcohol based markers)
    • great for using with watercolors and/or water based markers, due to being waterproof
    • great for resist methods on coated paper
    • does not deteriorate paper or precious photos
    • does not bleed when painted or brayered over with watercolors, colored pencils, water-based inks and markers, or pearl pigments
    • acts as a "resist" when stamped on surfaces that are not porous such as glass. Archival Ink seems to literally "eat" the alcohol ink when alcohol ink is applies to glass, allowed to dry and then stamped with an image inked in Archival Ink - watch for more to come on this technique.
• Perfect Medium Ink Pads, Markers and Reinkers
  • This ink pad was specially developed to work with Perfect Pearls Pigments and when used in conjunction with these powders gives superior results to other pad varieties. Who can resist the beautiful "glimmery mist" you can create using these powders? I can never just have one use for a product though and wanted to be able to maximize the use of the Perfect Pearls by having an ink pad that would work in conjunction with these beauties.
    • great for resist, embossing or watermark effects
    • wonderful for shadow stamping and subtle background work when combined with Perfect Pearls

STEWART SUPERIOR INK PRODUCTS

• Palette Hybrid Ink Pads
  • This is my go-to ink for stamping on "unusual" surfaces. I also use it frequently when I watercolor.
    • waterproof
    • use on any surface - glass, metal, fabric, wood and more
    • acid free, archival and non-fading

TSUKINEKO INK PRODUCTS

• Memento Ink Pads
  • the primary reason we carry this ink pad is for its clean lines when used with Copic Markers, coupled together with its fast drying time.
    • fast drying dye based ink
    • fade resistant
    • delivers fine impressions and even coverage 
• Essential Glue Pad
  •  this glue pad has provided superior adhesion to any other brands I have tried
    • adhesive in an ink pad
    • allows you to stamp an image and cover it in glitter, chalk, pigment powders, foil or flocking
• Brilliance Pigment Ink Pads
  • the primary reason we carry this ink pad is because we wanted to offer a pigment ink that would work with Copic Markers for customers who want to work with Copic Markers on a more porous paper.
    • non-toxic, archival and acid free
    • fast drying pigment ink
    • pigment ink that dries naturally on vellum and glossy paper (no heat setting required - just time)
    • vibrant, rich color
    • great for stamping on vellum, shrink plastic, gloss paper, polymer clay, acetate, leather and mica
    • not great on metal
• VersaMark Ink Pads, VersaMarkers and VersaMark Dazzle Ink Pads and Reinkers
  • my first love in watermark effects, coupled together with the sparkle that is now available makes it irresistable.
    • watermark - beautiful tone-on-tone effect on cardstock that is colored all the way through
    • emboss - long dry time allows for ease in use with embossing powders
    • resists ink on glossy or coated papers
    • heat set for stronger resist effect and quicker dry times
    • Dazzle - use as a shimmery watermark or heat set on glossy paper and brayer over with dye ink for a beautiful shimmer resist. I have found that it is necessary to reink this pad frequently for best results.

CLEANING RUBBER STAMPS

Now that you are all inky what is the best way to get your rubber stamps clean? For me the exploration for cleaning tools ended when I discovered Stewart Superior Inks Ultra Clean. It is like magic in a bottle! I can't even begin to remember when I first posted about this product and I am happy to say that my opinion has NOT changed. This was one of my children's favorite stamps before UltraClean and then after. Pictures truly are worth a thousand words.

So simply said there are two products I use to clean my stamps in addition to water and they are:

• UltraClean by Stewart Superior
• Rubit-Scrubit Pad

AS A BEGINNING STAMPER WHAT DO I NEED?

• start with a multi-purpose black ink pad:
  • if using alcohol ink markers begin with either a Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad or an Adirondack Dye Pitch Black Ink Pad  
• • if wanting to watercolor begin with either a Palette Noir Ink Pad or an Archival Jet Black Ink Pad
• next I would purchase a watermark, resist, embossing pad such as VersaMark or Perfect Medium
• then I would begin to add colors, and add more colors, and then even more colors - LOL! Yes, I need to take pictures of my ink pads and how I store them, but that is a complete topic in and of itself Ü

INK IN A NUTSHELL - THE CHARTS

Download INK COMPARISON CHART_DYE, PIGMENT, HYBRID

Download INK COMPARISON CHART_WATERMARK, EMBOSSING, RESIST, OTHER

The ink pad market is constantly advancing as new products are being discovered and so what might be "the word" one day, can instantly change when a new product arrives on the market. Manufacturers are continually striving to produce products that are new and improved. Sometimes it is an old product that gets manufactured with a new look or new packaging; other times it is new technology that has been discovered. This doesn't necessarily make one product better than the next - it only makes it different or perhaps improved.

Much time goes in to learning and teaching, and I am so very grateful to you for your support of our little store, it is your support that brings you the projects created by our designers and myself - for that I THANK YOU! I hope that this information will be useful to you as you work with the products that you have purchased from us. Now go and get inky ladies!!! Give one of the techniques a try - it is WAAAAY FUN!

Comments

[-mary]

Hi Ellen! I know it was a huge investment of your precious time and energy, but thank you so much for this fabulous information - and the chart is priceless. Inks can be so confusing and costly - especially when I inadvertantly purchase the wrong type for a project. My DDIL is getting started with stamps and inks and I directed her to your post - so much better than my advice and possible misinformation. I love that you are now stocking a full line of Adirondack inkpads and reinkers in the store. They are my favorite inkpads and the dye pads and especially the reinkers were difficult to find. You know how I love to do one-stop shopping at EH.com - simple and convenient.

Hugs to all, -mary

PS: Sorry for the late response - I truly thought I previously left a comment!

[Diana]

Thanks for the chart...it is so helpful to have all the info tabulated!

I was confused, though, because your report said that Archival ink would work with watercolors, but the table doesn't list it as a suitable ink for that...will it work for watercolors?

cheers,
Diana

[Pat S.]

Hi Ellen!
Thank you for the fantastic charts!
Your descriptions of all the different inks are excellent, but those charts are so easy to use...what a great reference guide!

[laurie hunt]

Wonderful, detailed comparison. Thanks Ellen.

[joanne sharpe]

thank you so much!! What a great resource. I will surely tell my students about your site, and link them to all your knowledge! Your sharing is greatly appreciated....

[Terry McCagh]

This is wonderful information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge...

[Harriet Hensley]

Thank you for this .... you don't know how much I have wanted to know these comparisons...this is very valuable resource....thank you...and you shop has things that no other that I have found does...thanks for that too

[Kathy V.]

Ellen I know this type of information is time consuming to prepare, but it is so useful. Thank you so much. You really do have a gift for teaching and sharing your experiences.

[Mary]

Oh my gosh!! When I think of the money I've wasted buying ink and trying to figure all this out, (without success, I might add). Thank you to you and your talented team for preparing all of this priceless information. You are the best!

[Cheryl Randall]

Ellen

WOW!! I am so glad that you shared this with me when I was at the store. nI was ablr to glean quite a bit more information from it to add to my knowledged base

Thank you so much.

Cheryl

[Sharon Harnist]

Wondeful compilation of information, Ellen -- thanks so much!

[Diane O.]

VERY informative great information!!!

[Penny J.]

Ellen, thank you SO much for this info and all your hard work. You never cease to amaze me. Your care for your customers and their opinions sure shows in everything you do.

It is so exciting that you are now carrying the full line of Adirondack inks along with the reinkers. I absolutely love them and will need to work on getting the rest of the colors.

[Debbie Griffin]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I'm sure this took forever to compile, but it is exactly what I needed to know! You are amazing!

[DeniseLynn]

Thank you - this is such helpful information! (plus I've been looking for a truly opaque white ink and now I know to give Adirondack a try.) Thanks for all the work that went into this!

[Debby]

Thank you so much for all the info about inks. The charts are great! I appreciate all your hard work :-)