Art Rubber Stamping Resource Website

Inks and Inkpads... Unedited Chat Log

   9:07:49 PM Belinda   I live in Wichita, KS 
   9:08:07 PM Belinda   I am doing fine at the moment! 
   9:08:11 PM WendyK :)
   9:08:19 PM WendyK What are your favorite inkpads?
   9:08:52 PM Gwendolyn35 Accent Depot inks which coordinate with the National Cardstock Quartets papers.
   9:08:57 PM WendyK Right now, I mainly use dye inks... though I have tons - MicaMagic, StazOn, Crafters, etc
   9:09:10 PM Belinda   I mostly use SU, but I do like versamark , I have the black and I prefer it because it's more intense 
   9:09:37 PM createdtoPra I just had a SU party
   9:09:39 PM Gwendolyn35 Although I see that Close To My Heart has reformulated and it sounds like they will be similar to the AD inks.
   9:09:48 PM createdtoPra I got the lavender Lace Ink pad
   9:09:51 PM WendyK Does anyone have any questions about inks or inkpads?
   9:10:04 PM createdtoPra the stazon pad
   9:10:15 PM createdtoPra i've heard of it
   9:10:15 PM Belinda   I use craft mostly in the SU because that is what I have in all the colors, because I can also emboss with them 
   9:11:02 PM Belinda   Not sure I have any questions right now, but I am here to learn! 
   9:11:03 PM WendyK The Staz-On inkpads are great for just about anything
   9:11:16 PM createdtoPra I love my Archival Ink in the Jet Black
   9:11:19 PM Belinda   I do like Staz-ON 
   9:11:26 PM Belinda   Mostly black and purple 
   9:11:27 PM Gwendolyn35 I like the ability to stamp on slick surfaces with the Stazon.
   9:11:30 PM WendyK solvent-based inkpad, designed for decorating non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, shrink plastic, cellophane, aluminum foil, leather and acrylic
   9:11:47 PM Belinda   And, may I add, I love the smell!O:-) 
   9:12:00 PM WendyK They come in tons of colors, but I only have the black...
   9:12:21 PM WendyK Since I have tons of crafter's inkpads (clearsnap), I use those for stamping things other than cardstock.
   9:12:26 PM Belinda   Most are too bright for me 
   9:12:38 PM WendyK They have great colors, you just need to heat set them for them to become permanent
   9:12:46 PM Gwendolyn35 I also only have the black, but it is great to stamp on cardstock, then use blender pens or waterbrushes to color in.
   9:13:03 PM WendyK it is my favorite right now for stamping on watercolor paper
   9:13:41 PM Gwendolyn35 What about the Brilliance Pads?
   9:13:41 PM WendyK I got a lot of MicaMagic pads when they first came out
   9:13:48 PM WendyK Not real thrilled with those
   9:14:17 PM Belinda   I have not tried them 
   9:14:27 PM WendyK Brillance were designed for use on shiny papers, Brilliance dries to perfection on vellum, mica, acetate, photo papers, sculpey clay, shrink plastic, and much more
   9:14:35 PM Belinda   I used to use ancient page, but now i use the staz-on 
   9:14:49 PM WendyK I like them much better than the MicaMagic - no drying out problems.
   9:14:58 PM Belinda   i just bought a couple of them, but havent used them much 
   9:15:09 PM Gwendolyn35 Ah, that is why I don't care for the Brilliance ink on cardstock.
   9:15:13 PM Belinda   They are great on vellum 
   9:15:14 PM WendyK I have heard that ClearSnap fixed that problem, however I got some of the first pads and they dried out quickly. Now i'm stuck buying the reinkers for them.
   9:15:38 PM WendyK I like to stipple with the Brilliance, but don't use them much otherwise
   9:16:01 PM WendyK Don't know if the colors are too soft for regular stamping.
   9:16:22 PM Gwendolyn35 Brilliance looks very dull on cardstock.
   9:16:36 PM WendyK Have tons of Ancient Page... I prefer those to other dye inks I have tried.
   9:17:03 PM WendyK I love the Sienna Brown... give a real antiqued look when rubbed onto cardstock.
   9:17:39 PM Belinda   I use the distressed inks for that 
   9:17:53 PM Belinda   But I don't use them that much either.  
   9:18:01 PM Belinda   Depends on what I am creating 
   9:18:05 PM WendyK I haven't tried those yet... but have hear they are nice
   9:18:06 PM Gwendolyn35 I use the Close To My Heart inks for most everything.
   9:18:23 PM Belinda   They are getting a nice variety of colors 
   9:18:30 PM WendyK alcohol inks are nice, but I think they have fallen out of favor in the last few years
   9:18:47 PM Belinda   But I think it great for those that like to distress or like the vintage or collage look 
   9:18:59 PM Gwendolyn35 I've never used alcohol inks.
   9:19:12 PM Belinda   I havent used alcohol inks either 
   9:19:45 PM WendyK They are nice for polished stone, but haven't used them for much other than that.
   9:19:59 PM WendyK I make my own... told myself I would save money, guess I did in the long run lol
   9:20:11 PM WendyK expensive to get it started though
   9:20:40 PM WendyK They give me headaches, so have to use them in a well vented room
   9:21:37 PM WendyK Does anyone have any questions about what ink to use on what kind of paper/cardstock/projects?
   9:22:18 PM Gwendolyn35 Has anyone tried stamping on clay? Specifically Crayola Model Magic?
   9:22:31 PM WendyK ((I'll be doing a class on papers and cardstocks in two weeks... since I know more about paper than anything else lol)
   9:22:37 PM Belinda   Not really, but I never thought of using the Staz-on on watercolor, so I will try that. 
   9:22:42 PM WendyK I've stamped on polymer clay and paperclay
   9:22:45 PM Belinda   I have stamped on clay 
   9:23:07 PM Gwendolyn35 What inks have you used?
   9:23:20 PM Belinda   I like to tap my stamp with the mica powders though, after I stamped with versamark 
   9:23:47 PM WendyK Crafter's, Stazon, Ancient page... just about any dye ink or pigment that will become permanent after heat setting
   9:23:54 PM WendyK I prefer crafters for clay, though
   9:24:05 PM Belinda   Why is that? 
   9:24:27 PM WendyK Because they come in great colors and become permanent when you heat set
   9:24:32 PM Belinda   Does it cut easily after it has been baked? 
   9:24:33 PM WendyK so as you are baking, then set
   9:24:51 PM WendyK poly clay? No, you can't cut it after baked
   9:25:03 PM Belinda   I cut the premo 
   9:25:14 PM WendyK well, I'm sure you could with a very sharp knife, but crack the design
   9:25:39 PM WendyK I'm mostly do beads with the clay, not many flat designs
   9:25:52 PM Gwendolyn35 Has anyone tried making their own air dry clay from a cornstarch recipe?
   9:26:05 PM Gwendolyn35 And, can you heat set ink on air dry clay?
   9:26:09 PM Belinda   That could make the difference 
   9:26:52 PM Belinda   I use the clay as embellishments for my cards 
   9:26:58 PM WendyK I tried one recipe for the paperclay, but wasn't happy with it.
   9:27:10 PM WendyK Used to have one in our classes section, but don't see it right now.. too much stuff up there
   9:27:32 PM WendyK nm, found it.. it uses flour... didn't like it
   9:27:53 PM Gwendolyn35 This one is 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda and 1 1/4 cups water.
   9:28:16 PM WendyK I haven't seen that one... might have to try it
   9:28:32 PM Gwendolyn35 How about heat setting ink on air dry clay?
   9:28:54 PM WendyK That should be fine, I don't see how/why there would be a problem with it
   9:29:05 PM WendyK I've used dye inks without a problem, but not the pigment heat set
   9:29:14 PM Gwendolyn35 Before or after the clay is dry?
   9:29:31 PM WendyK Before, if you want an impression in your clay
   9:29:38 PM WendyK if you just want the stamped design, do it when it's dry
   9:29:44 PM WendyK you can do it either way, though
   9:30:17 PM Gwendolyn35 ok
   9:30:26 PM WendyK When you are stamping into hot/melting embossing powder - it's best to use pigment ink
   9:30:50 PM WendyK With glossy and matte coated cardstocks, dye inks
   9:31:11 PM WendyK anything not paper, pigment heat sets or a solvent type ink
   9:31:15 PM Gwendolyn35 What are teaching in your class?
   9:31:32 PM Belinda   I have always used my craft pligment or versamark on embossing powder, but what would dye ink do? 
   9:32:00 PM WendyK in the papers? About the different paper weights, what they mean, what you can use different weights for... difference between different brands of glossys, matte coated, etc
   9:32:48 PM WendyK Dye inks aren't "wet" enough... I'm sure they would work, but not as well as a pigment. Pigment inks are thicker and a little more wet - which gives you the nice release
   9:33:19 PM Belinda   I wondered if that might be the reason, that's why the versamark 
   9:33:59 PM Belinda   I will be teaching that technique next week, do good to let them know pigment inks dont work as well 
   9:34:06 PM WendyK I love versamark inkpads... great for that watermark look for backgrounds. Though, I mainly use it with Pearl Ex and other mica pigments
   9:34:31 PM Belinda   I like them for that too, but I do like the richness of the black 
   9:35:13 PM WendyK Haven't tried the black yet.. I'm so hard behind in the times that I haven't bought any of the newer products out there. I pretty much stick to the basics.
   9:35:31 PM Belinda   I have been using white or vanilla craft as well as versamark when I need to emboss 
   9:35:48 PM Belinda   I use them because they are just easier to clean off the stamps 
   9:35:58 PM WendyK I don't emboss much anymore, since the fume scare came out... I do, but its pretty limited
   9:36:27 PM Belinda   Guess I havent heard about that 
   9:36:39 PM WendyK it was a few years ago.. when I actually used to carry them in my store...
   9:37:05 PM Belinda   I dont have many colors of embossing powder, so sometimes, I just use pigment inks 
   9:37:29 PM WendyK When using embossing powders in poorly vented areas, the fumes can cause minor lung problems... its bad for people with asthma and other lung problems.
   9:37:40 PM WendyK Have heard of it killing birds, making them sick, etc
   9:38:14 PM Belinda   I dont emboss very big areas, so I havent really noticed 
   9:38:21 PM WendyK I wrote to a few major manuf. of embossing powders asking for MSDS on them, but all refused or ignored my calls... so I just use them in well vended rooms now.. not a problem
   9:38:48 PM Belinda   I did over cook premo clay once, 
   9:39:00 PM Belinda   Now that is a mistake, I had to open all the window in the house 
   9:39:11 PM WendyK Exactly, I mainly use white, black and antique gold embossing powders... if I need another color, you can always emboss over nice pigment inks with clear. Gives you a nice effect, too
   9:39:28 PM WendyK Oh yes... I got a toaster oven for it and use it outside.
   9:39:37 PM createdtoPra has been logged out at 9:39:37 PM
   9:39:42 PM Belinda   It does, but I prefer colors a little richer color 
   9:39:43 PM WendyK I have heard it is best not to back in it your regular over
   9:39:55 PM WendyK bake not back
   9:39:59 PM Belinda   That is true 
   9:40:13 PM Belinda   I have one dedicated to my stamping 
   9:40:41 PM WendyK that's good... no one tells new stampers this stuff when they start out..
   9:40:43 PM Belinda   My room I stamp in, is large so I dont feel confined 
   9:41:09 PM Belinda   I use my family room, since I am single, I can do that 
   9:41:29 PM WendyK wish I had that :) My stamping stuff has to share a place in my master bedroom right now. lol
   9:41:46 PM Belinda   I tried to confine my stuff 
   9:41:50 PM Belinda   but . . . . 
   9:41:54 PM WendyK lol
   9:42:03 PM Belinda   It's easier to stamp if it's just there 
   9:42:03 PM WendyK Mine ends up all over the house
   9:42:16 PM WendyK Do y'all have any other questions about inks or anything stamping that I can help with?
   9:42:16 PM Belinda   Mine did too 
   9:43:03 PM Belinda   No, I just thought I'd come join your class, I am glad I did.  
   9:43:30 PM Gwendolyn35 Not really.
  9:47:20 PM WendyK Well, if no one has any more questions, I guess we can call it a night. I'm teaching a few classes this week and next and haven't prepped for them yet - yikes! Have my work sheets printed out, but that is about it
   9:47:45 PM Belinda   Ok, Thanks Wendy! 
   9:48:42 PM WendyK No chat class next week, but will be the Tuesday after... Will be on everything you needed to know about paper and cardstocks.
   9:49:51 PM Gwendolyn35 Have a good night, all.
   9:50:01 PM Belinda   Goodnight! 
   9:50:02 PM WendyK have a good night!
y again tomorrow....thank you again.