One of the 3 key parts to learning card making is understanding all the different inks for stamping. There are so many options and it can be confusing and overwhelming. This article will teach you all about the best inks for stamping and help you understand which are the ones you truly need.
This is your complete guide to inks for stamping and which type of ink is best used for what. You truly only need a few basics, bu you need to make sure you get the right ones, especially when you are starting out.
After you watch the video scroll down for the PDF download. It’s a resource guide you will refer to frequently!
Different Types of Inks for Stamping
I am focusing on the different types of inks that Stampin’ Up! sells, as I know they are the best and the ones I use.
Start with the video to learn about these types of inks, and lots of tips for each.
- Classic Stampin’ Pad
- VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad
- Memento Black
- Stazon Jet Black
- Craft White Stampin’ Pad
- Classis Stampin’ Spots & Uninked Spots
- Stampin’ Write Markers (yes, these can be ink pads too!)
Classic Stampin’ Pads
These are the “core” inks for stamping. They come in many awesome colors that coordinate with all of Stampin’ Up!’s products. These are fast-drying, water-based inks.
Are your ink pads TOO inky, or need to be RE-INKED? That’s covered in the video!
VersaMark
This ink has 2 main uses. First, you can stamp “tone on tone.” If you stamp it on any color of card stock, it will look like you stamped it with the same color ink as the card stock. This is great for making backgrounds.
The VersaMark ink pad is also used for heat embossing. I will be sharing all about that soon !
Black Inks For Stamping: Memento & Stazon
These are the 2 black inks for stamping that often get confused. They are very different, even though they are both black and they are used in different circumstances.
Memento: this is my “go-to” all-around black ink. It’s all-purpose and easily cleans off with Stampin’ Mist or the Simply Shammy. This is the ink pad you MUST use when coloring with the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers.
Stazon: this is a permanent black ink that is good for many surfaces. You can stamp on paper, tile, glass, plastic, etc. It is also the black pad you will need to use for any type of watercolor.
IMPORTANT – you must use STAZON CLEANER when you use this ink pad.
Classic Spots & Uninked Spots
These are little ink pads that have the same inks for stamping as the Classic Stampin’ Pads. You can get a “classic set” that contains 8 basic colors, or a package of 5 uninked spots.
Uninked? Some people prefer this smaller size so they purchase the uninked spots and the reinkers in the colors they want to make their own ink pads. Because they are small, you will need to reink them often, but a bottle of the ink lasts forever!
Download Your Reference Sheet
I have put together a chart showing the basic uses of each kind of inks for stamping, as well as how to clean them. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.
Learn More About the Basics of Card Making
Here are a few more posts that will help you learn all about card making, what you need, and how to get started.
May 2024 Happenings
Create four new card templates from Volume 8 of our FREE Card Making Templates video series. This class focuses on creating card layouts to help you design quick and easy cards while designing with any stamps, ink, and paper that you already have.
In addition to making your free card templates, there are even more exciting May happenings! Come learn more about them…
- Join Stampin’ Up! and Get $207 in Products For $99
- New Annual Catalog Products Now Available
- New Card kits are available
Thank you so much for visiting my website today! I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy card making project. If you did, please leave us a comment below! If you have any questions, I would love to help you and answer them, just follow the link below to contact me. If you would like to place a Stampin’ Up! order, I would be thrilled if you selected me to be your demonstrator.
Contact Jackie | More Project Ideas | Card Tutorials | Stay Up To Date on Happenings
Browse Stampin’ Up! Catalogs | Shop Stampin’ Up! Products | Learn How to Shop at a Discount
Want more card making inspiration? Follow me on all my social channels.
Thank you for the information. I learned the hard way about
marking the blends on the stamps.
And thank you for the chart.
Very helpful information
Oh no!! I’m sorry you learned the hard way–that’s so frustrating. I hope this helps others avoid that mistake! Have a stamp happy day!
Thank you so much for the measurements for card layers. I’ve got it written down somewhere but I’m going to make templates like yours. My card class attendees often as well so I’m going to gift each of them with a set.
Looking forward to the next Creativate day. All of you are so inspiring.
How sweet of you to make the templates for your class attendees! Yes…. that day will be here before you know it!
This was SO EXTREMELY HELPFUL!!! Thank you so much! I have been trying to stock up on stamping products as I’m a new stamper/card maker!!! It’s just so confusing with everything out there and I don’t want to purchase items I won’t need!!!
You’ll always use cardstock, inks, adhesive, and acrylic blocks so work on those first and then add stamps that you like!
Love love your posts! Thank you so much from this beginner stamper…
I love that you love them; thanks for watching!
Jackie,
When using versamark for tone on tone, how long till it dries or do you have to heat set?
Thanks
Beth, drying time can vary based on your temperature, humidity, etc. but should only take a few minutes. You certainly can use a low heat setting if you want it to dry quickly.