Ink Pad Comparison (A Simple Way To Understand Ink Pads and Their Properties)

What do you really need in an inkpad? What's the difference between all the different brands? Today I hope to demystify some of this for you. Keep in mind there are many equivalent products so use what fits your needs and budget.

If you are new to stamping I highly recommend checking out my free Stamp School series:    • Stamp School  

My old ink pad cheat sheet is still pretty accurate if you want to download it: https://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.co...

Inkpads mainly come in two types: Pigment or Dye. tjhere is also a trd type call "Hybrid" that combines some of the qualities of both (fast-drying, solid images, can be used with watercolor and alcohol markers) but still resembles a dye pad more than a pigment to me anyway.

Dye-based pads are usually transparent because they absorb into the paper and they dry quickly. They are usually water-based but can be solvent-based like Staz-on or oil-based like Ranger Archival. Some pads are waterproof (like Archival and staz on) and some are water-reactive like Distress, Harmony, and Prism. the pads you choose depends on the type of stamping you like to do and the mediums you like to use.
My recommendations for dye pads:
Ranger Archival in black or sepia for watercoloring: https://amzn.to/35g2jaA
Memento Black or Brown for alcohol marker coloring: https://amzn.to/3olBgSV
For a good variety of colors, I recommend the Memento dew drop mini pads in the 12 color sets: https://amzn.to/3960a2j *there are 3 unique sets of 12 colors
*Refill inks are available for all recommended brands. Ink pads made by Stampin Up, Stewart Superior (they make most stamp companies inks), Tsukineko and Ranger are all top-notch as well. Use what you have or is easiest to find. Stick with name brands here and purchase reinkers as needed to save money.

Pigment-based pads are slow drying and tend to be opaque because the ink is thicker and it sits on top of the paper. They are good for heat embossing. Often you can use these on fabric and heat set them for permanance. They can be oil or water-based. They tend to resist fading due to pigments rather than dyes being used. Some are waterproof. Oil-based pads like Versafine are waterproof, have excellent coverage, and capture fine detail. They are great for embossing and watercoloring. You can also get clear pigment pads for embossing, watermarking and resist effects. Water-based pigment inkpads often have a spongy surface, some are waterproof when dry and some are not. The Distress oxide pads have a hard pad and are very water reactive leading to fun effects if you like to great inky backgrounds.
*for oil-based pads I purchase reinkers. They usually have a hard pad.
**for water-based pads I make my own ink with gouache, glycerin, and water. These are not waterproof.
I recommend Versafine Clair: https://amzn.to/3nmrXAN


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