Decorative Rubber Stamps

Inks are the next most important material needed for decorative rubber stamping. They come in different types, some hybrids, and each is specifically used in particular applications to yield the best results. Pigment inks have thicker consistency and slow-drying. They are ideal for use with embossing powders to create a raised, dimensional effect on imprints.

Pigment ink pads are commonly foam-style pads. The ink soaks into the pad and ready to use immediately when needed. However, they need to be re-inked more often than standard dye inkpads. Most pigment ink products are acid-free but may contain glycerin, which adds to their increased drying time. Another advantage of pigment inks over other types of inks like dye ink is that they are more resistant to fading, which is one of the reasons why they are commonly used in creating scrapbooks.

When using absorbent papers, pigment ink is a good choice as it allows for much more detailed impressions on such kinds of paper. Heat setting is a technique best used on pigment inks. It results in more permanent impressions on plastic, vellum, and even fabric surfaces. On paper, it is thick and slow-drying. Pigment ink pads come in more solid and darker colors.

As pigment ink has the consistency of mayonnaise, pigment ink pads are characteristically “squishy.” If you are not careful, you might create a mess and end up wasting ink. It is also easy to ruin an imprint with this kind of ink so you need to be careful in applying. First of all, you only need to lightly press the stamps against the ink pad. Exerting too much force can result in a blurred image. You would then have to clean the stamp before you can ink again.

There is a long list of pigment ink products to choose from. Tsukineko is one of the most prolific suppliers of pigment ink pads. Choices include Brilliance Fast Drying Pigment Ink Pads, Encore Metallic Pigment Ink Pads, VersaColor and VersaCraft, and VersaFine ink pads. VersaCraft in particular is an ideal multi-purpose pigment ink. It can be applied on several surfaces other than paper like wood, fabric, polymer clay, porcelain, leather, and shrink plastic. Contact Tsukineko.com for bulk orders. For buying individual products, you may visit the websites of suppliers like FranticStamper.com and BlockHeadStamps.com.

Clearsnap is another trusted source of ink pads. Its ColorBox Crafter’s Ink and Pigment Petal Points provide more choices in pigment ink pads.

Replacement ink pads are used for self-inking rubber stamps. By self-inking, it means that the stamps do not need to be pressed against a stamp pad every time you make an impression on paper. Self-inking stamps are versatile and practical. They are used in crafting but mostly in business offices for they make it easier to mark files, write letters, stamp addresses, and signatures on business documents.

You can stamp up to thousands of impressions in one ink color until the ink runs out. Then, the ink pads built within the stamping device would need to be replaced. Users should only use replacement ink pads recommended by the manufacturer of the stamp. Usually, a special ink is used for self-inking stamps. The stamps are not intended to be used with ink pads you use for traditional wood-mounted stamps. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the stamp.

In crafting projects, self-inking stamps may be used in a lot of creative ways. For one, you can use them to create your own wrapping paper. They may also be applied in preparing party decorations such as napkins, party hats, and paper plates. These stamps come in artistic themes suitable for various occasions. Self-inking stamps may also be used for creating bookmarks, multiple greeting cards, and merit charts such as in classrooms.

Teachers, notaries, medical staff, accountants, and many other professionals make use of self-inking stamps. Customers have the liberty to ask for stamps customized with their signature, address, logo, or any text or image they prefer. Companies like Trodat can even create multi-color self-inking stamps. There is no doubt that this kind of stamp is an absolute essential in the office setting. Fortunately, replacement ink pads are available for many brands so that the stamps can be used for as long as possible.

Lucky for those who are very much capable of using self-inking to their maximum capacity, replacement ink pads are easy to find, especially online, where you can place orders for customized stamps and have them delivered right to your doorstep.

TSTRubberStamp.ca has an extensive line of replacement ink pads for self-inking rubber stamps. They have two-color pads under the brand names Trodat, Colop, and 2000 Plus. Ink colors available include black, blue, red, green, and violet. They also sell ink pads for traditional wood-mounted rubber stamps.

You may also compare prices between several other websites including 1StopSquare.com, RubberStampChamp.com, and Stamp-Connection.com.

Tsukineko provides different types of ink pads of top quality. Designed for crafting projects, Tsukineko ink pads come in a wide selection of colors and textures to suit any occasion and to help effectively execute your creative ideas on paper. Because of the brand’s versatility, there are plenty of other ways to use Tsukineko inks apart from basic rubber stamping techniques. Only by letting your imagination run wild can you only take full advantage of Tsukineko ink products.

Tsukineko ink pads belonging to the VersaMark, VersaMarkers, and VersaMark Dazzle lines achieve a watermark effect applied tone-on-tone. These ink products may be used for embossing imprints because they take a longer time to dry. VersaMark ink pads have the ability to resist ink on coated or glossy paper. VersaMark Dazzle can create shimmery finish.

VersaMagic is Tsukineko’s popular line of chalk pigment ink. It dries quickly and creates a unique opaque yet chalk-like look minus the residue. Choose any of the vibrant colors available, which can give you great results even if you use dark-colored paper. VersaMagic comes in more compact Dew Drop containers.

Brilliance Pigment Inks by Tsukineko are archival, non-toxic, and acid-free. But unlike ordinary pigment ink, they are fast drying and do not require heat setting. The inks can be used for stamping on gloss paper, vellum, polymer clay, leather, mica, acetate, and shrink plastic. They may also be applied on porous paper along with Copic markers.

Memento ink pads by Tsukineko feature dye based ink that dries faster. Fine impressions are guaranteed with strong resistance to fading. It is also easy to create even impressions with these Tsukineko ink pads. Crafters recommend these for application along with Copic markers.

The Essential Glue Pad is a superior example of adhesive ink pads. Such ink pads are designed for stamping glitter, pigment powders, or chalk. Tsukineko’s own adhesive pad boasts of top quality, making it an absolute must-have for rubber stampers. Adhesive pads may also be used for stamping foil or flocking.

There are several other lines of Tsukineko ink pads such as Kaleidacolor, Encore, Opalite, Emboss, StazOn, Walnut Ink, and VersaCraft. These inks are available at affordable prices. I you are interested to purchase in bulk, find out how on Tsukineko.com.

Next to rubber stamps, ink pads are the next most important thing you need to apply the technique of embossing images on paper crafts. There are essentially two types of stamp pad ink: regular dye ink and pigment ink. Regular dye inks are cheaper and quick to dry. They come in several vibrant colors and are easy to clean up.

Pigment ink is the more suitable type of ink for embossing even though some rubber stampers use dye ink as well. It has a thick consistency, similar to that of mayonnaise, which dries on the surface of the paper instead of seeping through as it dries. Aside from embossing, pigment stamp pad ink is also used for color blending. Color choices are also available for pigment stamp pad ink although not as vibrant as dye inks, except for some manufacturers.

Both dye ink and pigment ink are sold in the market in the form of ink pads. For scrapbooking purposes, it is best to choose stamp pad ink that possesses archival or acid-free properties as they help preserve the pages for a long time. Some crafters who have experience in mixing their own rubber stamp inks buy un-inked pads and bottle refills of dye or pigment ink.

Re-Inking Stamp Pads

Stamp pads pretty much last a long time but when the time comes that they run out of ink, you may easily refill them. Buy the stamp pad ink color that you need. One color is applied on individual stamp pads. Lay out a newspaper on your workspace and place the stamp pad on top to prevent ink from soiling the desk. Get the re-inker and apply little by little across the pad. You may use a credit card to help spread the ink evenly on the surface of the stamp pad. Repeat the process until you get the desired amount of wetness. If you poured in too much, use paper towels to absorb excess ink. Make sure to close the lid of the stamp pad.

Ink Pad Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance can prolong the life and preserve the quality of stamp pad ink. After every use, close the lids of the ink pads tightly. Place all stamp pads in an airtight container in their proper positions. Refill stamp pads as needed. You may also apply solvent every once in a while to revitalize the ink pads. Color transfers may occur when stamps are not cleaned thoroughly when stamping the same design in more than one color. Use a dampened paper towel to clear color transfers.

Stamp Pad Ink Choices

You will never run out of choices when it comes to stamp pad ink as there is a wide array of products available commercially. Among the most popular products are ColorBox chalk and crafter’s ink pads, Kaleidacolor stamp pads, Encore ink pads, Memento ink pads, and so much more. Most products, as can be viewed on BlockheadStamps.com, also sell re-inkers.

Make Wonderful Creations with Chalk Ink Pads

What is it about chalk inks that make them hot items among crafters, scrapbook makers, and rubber stamp enthusiasts? Relatively new creations compared to more traditional inks, chalk ink pads are popular among crafting circles today because of their unique effect on stamping imprints. Chalk inks add luster, sheen, or a matte finish on designs stamped on paper or card stock. What’s even better is that they come in different colors that using them can just get plain addictive. Images printed using chalk inks have a unique powder finish.

Chalk inks can neither be exclusively classified as dye nor pigment ink – the two basic types of stamping inks. Unlike dye inks, they do not dry quickly; but there is no need for heat setting to make imprints permanent as with pigment inks. They have similar characteristic with chalk pastels in that it is easy to blend colors together to create backgrounds and designs. The depth and the darkness of the colors can be altered to achieve an effect you desire.

Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Inks

Clearsnap is a known supplier of chalk inks. Its line of fluid chalk ink pads are actually pigment ink that bear similar qualities with dye inks. Clearsnap’s fluid chalk inks are quick drying, acid-free, archival, and resistant to fading, bleeding, and smearing. To find out more, visit Clearsnap.com and browse through available selections.

One great attraction of chalk inks by Clearsnap is their availability in different forms. For individual colors, you may choose Cat’s Eye, Mini, or Full size ink pads. If you wish for multiple colors, there’s the Queue, which is actually six Cat’s Eye panels arranged together, Petal Point, which carries eight color blocks, and Paint Box, also sectioned into eight individual blocks.

Tsukineko VersaMagic

Tsukineko is another popular manufacturer of top-quality chalk ink pads through its VersaMagic product line. VersaMagic also uses pigment ink that gives a powder finish effect, even on dark-colored cardstock. The range of colors is also wide – from pastels to natural earth colors to metallic jewel tones.

VersaMagic Dew Drops are more compact chalk ink pads with round ends and elongated tips. These creations make magnificent collectibles. Even the names of the colors are enough to spike the interest of the most novice stamper. Colors include Pixie Dust, Perfect Plumeria, Pretty Petunia, Aegean Blue, and so much more. Visit Tsukineko.com for more information.

Color Ink Pad User’s Guide

Colors add beauty to handmade greeting cards, scrapbooks, and any art project. As the art of rubber stamping continues to be widely applied in paper crafts, ink manufacturers have been expanding their lines of ink products to make available all kind of ink in as many colors as possible. Today, ink pads are easy to avail. For better affordability, you may even get a color ink pad that comes in interesting color combinations for the price of one.

Rubber stamps used to be plain and basic with only one color applicable at a time. The stamp is pressed onto an ink pad of a specific color before the imprint is transferred on paper. It used to be that the only inks available are blue and black with others harder to find. But thanks to breakthrough technology and manufacturers developing more inks, anyone can avail of color ink pad in any color he wishes. More colors are being introduced and can be applied to create more detailed and interesting stamp impressions.

The most common type of color ink pad a beginner stamper must usually get used to at first is the dye type ink. They come in affordable prices and are good for practicing if you are just starting to learn about rubber stamping. This is not to say, of course, that experienced crafters do not use dye ink. On the contrary, they have come up with hundreds of creative ways to stamp using this standard ink to create unique and impressive masterpieces.

Dye-type inks come in the widest variety of colors compared to others kinds of ink such as pigment and specialty inks. They are less opaque in nature, have less consistency, and dry quickly. You may purchase a dye color ink pad that is permanent or non-permanent. Some brands also sell dye inks that only stay permanent after heat setting.

Each color ink pad that you own must be given proper care and maintenance after use. Proper storage is important to preserve the quality of the color ink. Always close the ink pad lid properly and organize in an airtight container. When the ink dries up, you may re-ink the stamp pads, depending on whether the brand you use allows re-inking.

Color Ink Pad Brands

Clearsnap.com has its own line of ColorBox ink pads including Vivid and Ancient Page. You may purchase a color ink pad in cat’s eye or petal-shaped contraptions that come with individual panels carrying various colors of dye ink. Tsukineko, a leader in ink supplies, offers its Kaleidacolor Dye Ink Pads and Memento Ink Pads. Ranger’s Archival and Distress ink pads are also worth taking a look at. Stewart Superior features Memories Acid Free Dye Ink pads. Most of these products are available wherever scrapbooking supplies are sold.

Fun with Colors with ColorBox Ink Pads

Clearsnap is one of the best-known ink suppliers around. The quality and affordability of its products, plus the volume of choices offered to every customer, is what makes it a leader in the industry. ColorBox ink pads are among its most in-demand line, with selections between individual and multi-color formats that are easily used, stored, and organized. It doesn’t hurt either that the ink pads are creatively packaged, making them collectible items.

ColorBox offers a full range of both dye and pigment inks. Just recently, it introduced its own line of fluid chalk inks in response to a growing demand for chalk ink products. One main selling point of ColorBox ink pads is that they are very affordable.

The Cat’s Eye ink pads for one, which are compact pads shaped like a cat’s eye as the name suggests, retails for the mind-blowing price of $2 each. So if you are a beginner, it is pretty easy to build up a collection of ColorBox inks. If you have been stamping for quite some time, ordering new pads to replace ones you’ve used up would not really require a huge investment.

Basically, ColorBox inks are classified into Classic Pigment Ink, MetaleXtra, Crafter’s Ink, and the latest Fluid Chalk Ink. Clearsnap offers all ColorBox ink pads in full size, mini, Cat’s Eye, Petal Point, Paint Box, and Queue, which is actually a collection of eight Cat’s Eye blocks in different colors. There are over 100 colors available in varying combinations. Blacks and whites come in a variety of tones on top of the full spectrum of colors.

With ColorBox Ink Pads, there really is no stopping you from coming up with unique and magnificent creations, whether you are into creating scrapbooks, making handmade greeting cards, personalizing gift wrappers, or simply helping your child out in his art project. Visit Clearsnap.com to browse other available stamping tools offered by the company. You may also get project ideas provided by the staff.

As ClearBox Ink Pads are so popular, you can find them almost anywhere inks and ink pads are sold. Some websites worth paying a visit includes CIStamps.com, BlockHeadStamps.com, Michaels.com, and TheArtistDepot.com. You may also compare prices and find the best deals by checking out Amazon.com and The Find.com. Or, you may use the store locator feature on Clearsnap.com to find the nearest local store where they sell ColorBox inks.

Stamping on fabric is technique you can apply using rubber stamps. It may not be the same as stamping on paper but once you get the hang of it, you can come up with magnificent creations such as decorated linen, pillowcases, curtains, fabric appliqués, and other craft items. Aside from various rubber stamps, specially designed fabric ink pads are the only things you need to start stamping along! You may even have your impressions embossed or colored with chalk or fabric paint. There is no limit to what you can do; you just have to be creative.

Some regular rubber stamp pads can be used for fabric stamping. You just need to check the product description or consult with your dealer or more experienced stampers before you purchase and start using a product. If you are just beginning to explore the art of stamping and would like to start working with fabrics, you may go right out and shop for fabric ink pads such as VersaCraft and some all-purpose industrial ink.

Fabric Stamping Basics

It is possible to put permanent impressions on fabric using the right type of ink and applying the heat setting technique. Prepare your fabric of choice by having it pre-washed and ironed for a smoother stamping surface. Choose smoother fabrics over coarse and textured ones. As compared to fabric painting, fabric stamping is a lot quicker and easier. It results in detailed and consistent images all across the surface of the fabric.

Choose the stamp of your choice and press them against the ink pads. You may have fabric ink pads and use various color combinations as you like. Nature patterns have a great effect on fabric but you may also use hearts, theme designs, and even cartoon characters, depending on the project you are working on.

Last but not least, preserve your images with heat setting. All you need to do is allow the ink to dry thoroughly. Then iron both sides of the fabric and wait for two weeks before you wash the fabric. By using specially made fabric ink pads and following these simple steps you can be sure that your stamped designs will last a long time.

When it comes to fabric ink pads, there is one trusted name among crafters and enthusiastic stampers. VersaCraft, formerly known as Fabrico, specializes in fabric ink pads and other related products. Manufactured by Tsukineko, Versacraft ink pads come in a wide range of colors, to the utmost delight of stampers. The quality of the ink makes it ideal for application on several other surfaces other than fabric including wood, leather, unglazed ceramic, shrink plastic, and of course, paper. VersaCraft has the most interesting colors including the likes of Ultramarine, Bubble Gum, Apricot, and Wisteria. Visit Tsukineko.com to see all the choices available and to place an order.

Where to Buy Ideal Ink Pads

Ideal self-inking stamps last a long time. These stamps – great for home and business use – makes thousands of impressions and are easy to use. Among their patented features are the ergonomic shape for easy handling and the heavy-duty construction, which allows for the exertion of minimal force when stamping. Stamps are labeled on top for users to easily select the stamps they need. Ideal stamps can be re-inked anytime as needed.

Ideal ink pads are readily available in online stores such as RubberStampChamp.com. Re-inking Ideal stamps take simple steps that anyone can follow. Essentially, all Ideal self-inking stamp models are similar in construction so the re-inking process pretty much applies to everything else. The first thing that needs to be done is to push down the lock line into position. Pull out the ink pad cartridge until you hear a click. Apply ten drops of ink to each ink ports and wait for 15 minutes before you push the cartridge back in its original position.

Entire ink pad cartridges may also be replaced. The same procedure as re-inking should be followed except that you put a replacement for the entire cartridge.

Shopping Guide

Ideal ink pads are available in black, red, blue, green, purple, hot pink, brown, and orange at RubberStampChamp.com. They come in rectangular, round, and square-shapes, as well as pocket sizes to fit any type of stamp.

In online shops, you may also choose Ideal ink pads designed for specific Ideal stamp models. These specialty ink pads cost $4.50 to $7.25. Prices for other ink pads vary according to size but they are mostly affordable. RubberStampChamp.com offers free shipping for orders over $10. INternetRubberStamps.com does not feature as many options as RubberStampChamp.com and the minimum requirement to enjoy free shipping is higher by $2.50 but it is also a reliable place to shop because the store is Yahoo accredited.

RubberStampChamp.com makes it easier for you to choose the right Ideal ink pads as users can shop by model of their existing Ideal stamps. Whether you own an Ideal stamp that you use for signature, address, number, date, or logo stamping, you are sure to find the exact ink pad that you

Replenish your rubber stamping ink pads with ink pad refills. These affordable products can revitalize stamp pads that have dried out or run out of ink after being used for some time. There is no need to buy new stamp pads every so often. For lower costs, old ink pads can be good as new if you apply good quality stamping inks of just the right color. Standard stamp pads carry individual colors and serious crafters and rubber stampers usually have a lot of ink pads in their possession. There are products such as with ColorBox that feature stamp pads with color palettes or sections that are easily removable. Ink pads vary in sizes to promote ease of use with all stamp sizes. If you are a beginner, a full-sized ink pad would suffice. Bigger-sized stamp pads can work well even with smaller stamps.

AddictedtoRubberStamps.com has one of the biggest product ranges when it comes to rubber stamping accessories and supplies. Ink pad refills of various brands are sold online for the best prices available. Pigment, dye, chalk, and permanent ink refills in small bottles are listed on the website’s catalogue. The ink products come from various companies known in the industry.

By visiting AddictedtoRubberStamps.com, you can easily view available products. Ink pad refills are classified according to type and product line. Amazon.com is another source of refill inks for stamp pads. It features many products that are not found on

AddictedtoRubberStamps.com Between these two resources, you are sure to find what you are looking for. For Clearsnap refillable stamp pads, go directly to Clearsnap.com.

AddictedtoRubberstamps.com Brand names on the website include Clearsnap Graphics Innovation, Creative Café, Tsukineko, Ranger Industries, Stewart Superior, and Comotion. Products are easy to search for and view. Prices are also readily displayed for you to easily compare with other online sellers. AddictedtoRubberStamps.com, however, offers irresistible bargains with great discounts on ink pad refills.

Amazon.com – You can easily locate stamp pad refills under the sewing, craft, and hobby department of Amazon.com. Featured product lines include 7Gypsies, GuardStamps, Copic Marker, Tsukineko, Martha Stewart Crafts, Jacquard, Sakura Hobby Craft, and Clearsnap. Tsukineko ink refills of any color cost $12, slightly lower than Clearsnap Fluid Chalk ink refills. Amazon.com provides link to online stores selling the products listed.

1StopSquare.com – 1StopSquare.com is also a leading retailer of rubber stamping supplies, including ink pad refills. It has a wide range of products related to rubber stamping and scrapbooking; the low prices of which serious crafters will surely enjoy. Not only are refills sold in bottles but in affordable ink kits as well.