Inks-the right one to choose
There are a huge range of ink pads available, when you start out stamping this can seem quite daunting as each pad is designed for a specific use. This quick guide will give you a start, using items available from “Belscrafts”
Dye based pads
These pads are a dye and water mix and dry very quickly, they are available in a wide range of colours from the “Ink it Up” range. They will give a nice crisp image suitable for colouring with different mediums such as pencils, chalks or gel pens. Dye based pads will work on any porous surface, not glossy or shiny, and are best on cardstock. They dry very quickly making them unsuitable for embossing. “Ink it Up” dye based pads will bleed if re-wet, making them unsuitable for using with watercolours.
Archival
“Memories” archival dye inkpads are suitable for all surfaces, including glossy and coated papers, on some surfaces it will take longer to dry, a process that can be made quicker by heat setting the image. These ink pads are perfect for using with water colours and maker pens. These pads are available in a wide variety of colours for all occasions.
Pigment
These pads are glycerine based, meaning they stay wet longer, making them perfect for embossing. They are thick, opaque and reasonably slow drying. They are available in a wide range of colours including metallic and clear for embossing with coloured powders. They are fade resistant but will not be suitable for using with water colours, they will not dry on vellum or coated papers unless they are heat set or embossed.
Clear Pigment Pads
The clear pigment ink pads can be used to apply chalk to an image, by stamping your image onto cardstock then using cotton wool to apply the chalk you will get stunning results. Add the chalk slowly to build up the effect you want, works really well with detailed images.
