Inks: I'm Thinking Inking!
You can't stamp without inks, so we're going to talk a little
about the different kinds of stamping ink pads you'll find.
First, the basics. When you use ink in your stamping work, you'll want
it to be in the form of an ink pad. An ink pad is basically a sponge
soaked in ink. They are encased in plastic with a lid to keep the
sponge from drying out when it's not in use.
You'll find two main types of ink pads: water-based and
pigment-based.
Water-Based ink pads
Water-based inks are versatile and great for every-day stamping. They
dry quickly and clean up easily with soap and water. You can find them
in single-color ink pads or combination pads like the Kaleidacolor pad
shown above.
Pigment-based ink pads
Pigment-based ink pads contain a thicker type of ink that is great for
special types of projects where you need something a little more
substantial. You will find many different colors of pigment inks,
including gold and silver.
There are also many different types of black pigment ink available. You
might be wondering why you need so many different options for black
ink: black is black, right? Well, not really. It depends on what you
are using the black ink for.
If you plan on using watercolors or markers to color in a
stamped image then you'll want something that will not bleed when the
wet colors hit it.
The best way to find a black ink that works for you is to
experiment with them on the papers you plan on using them on. You might
get lucky and find that the first one you try works perfectly for you!
Versamark
One final type of pigment ink I'd like to share some details on is the
VersaMark
ink pad. This special ink is clear and thick. It can be used for a lot
of projects to create a different effect. Some of my favorite uses for
Versamark include embossing and pastels.
This should get you started with some of the most basic ink
pads. There are lots of others out there, so take your time getting
used to these before purchasing a whole arsenal of inks!
