Confused by all the ink pads at your local rubber stamp store? Here’s a quick rundown of the characteristics and key brand names currently available in water soluble inks:
Dye Inks
Similar to office supply type inks
Usually come in rich, bright colors
Extremely versatile
Can stamp on matte or glossy papers
Dry quickly, which makes them unsuitable for embossing
Give sharp, detailed images, so well suited to finely detailed stamps
Clean with water, although darker colors will often stain rubber
Look for the words “dye ink” on label
Brand Names: Frescos, Memories, Ancient Page, ColorBox Fluid Chalk, Adirondack, Excelsior
Pigment Inks
Thicker than dye inks
Well suited for embossing
Slower drying time
Stamp on matte paper and cardstock
Must be embossed on glossy papers
Brand Names: ColorBox, ColorBox Cat’s Eye, ColorBox Petal Points, Antiquities, Brilliance, VersaColor, Imprintz
Embossing Ink
Designed solely for use with embossing powders
Brand Names: Top Boss
Washable or Children’s Inks
Specially formulated to wash out of clothing
Some colors are more washable than others
Not suitable for stamping projects that require colorfastness
