• Reader Letters

Reader Letters

Stamping ink is always a topic of discussion among both new and seasoned stampers. With all the inks on the market, what is the best choice to use for a successful stamping experience?

Brenda K. writes: "What is the best kind of ink to use on cardstock? Or is there a trick to getting the ink to dry?"

Editor's Comments

Brenda,
With all the different types of ink on the market, it is very difficult to figure out which is the best for your specific project without doing a bit of research. What I mean by research is reading message boards and asking friends or store employees if possible.

Breaking it down into bare-bones basics, here is some info that may help you with selecting the right ink for your projects:

• Dye ink: This kind of ink dries quickly and is great for use on porous items such as cardstock and pattern paper.
• Pigment ink: Thicker than dye ink, pigment ink takes longer to dry. It's great for heat embossing because it won't dry before you shake on your embossing powder. Pigment ink can be used for regular stamping, but you will need to either heat-set it with an embossing heat gun or sit it aside to air-dry before finishing your project.
• Solvent ink: This ink is great for use on nonporous items such as metal or plastic. It dries fairly fast, but heat setting is also recommended to prevent it from smearing before you proceed with your project.

Yes, there are many other great inks on the market, but for basic stamping, this will get you started.
-- Kimber

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