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how many different kinds of ink are there?

For the most part, there's pigment and dye-based ink pads. Taken from the stamping tutorial here: Pigment ink is popular for its bright, long-lasting colors as well as its ability to resist water damage. Dye ink dries quickly, but because it is a water-based ink, it may run or bleed while stamping in under wet conditions. Some letterboxers complain that dye-based ink pads dry out too quickly in dry, hot conditions such as in Arizona or New Mexico. Other letterboxers have complained that pigment-based ink pads become too wet and soggy in humid conditions. Give both types a try, and pick what works for you.

There are inks sold as other names--"chalk" ink comes to mind most readily, but don't be fooled. It's just a reformulated type of pigment ink.

You can tell the difference just by looking at the pad. Pigment inks use a "spongy" pad that should be stored upright. Dye-based ink pads look like they're covered with fabric and should be stored upside-down to bring the ink to the surface.

-- Ryan

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Pigment inks use a "spongy" pad that should be stored upright.

Why? I tend to store mine upside because I thought that was supposed to keep the ink on the surface, but if it is somehow bad, please tell give me a reason.

Thanks,
TG

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Why? I tend to store mine upside because I thought that was supposed to keep the ink on the surface, but if it is somehow bad, please tell give me a reason.

I don't actually know. *shrug* =) Just what I read from a little Internet research, and everything you read on the Internet is true, isn't it? I think Zoemomma or something told me that. ;o)

Personally, I find that storing new pigment ink pads upside-down causes WAY too much ink to pool up near the surface. Storing it upright helps pull the ink away from the surface to a much more manageable level.

Once the ink pad starts drying up, I tend to store them upside-down to pull what ink is left towards the surface. Never saw that little tidbit mentioned in any "official" place about care of ink pads, but that's what I'd done and seems to drag out the life of the ink pad a bit more.

But I store pigment ink pads right-side up until it stops giving ink very well. Then it's relegated to the upside-down pile. =) Dye ink pads--always stored those upside-down. *nodding*

-- Ryan

What kind of ink is Archival ink? Is it dye or pigment or something different? I really like the way the Archival ink stamps. Any one else use it? The only thing that stinks is it shows through even thicker paper.

chadams

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Personally, I find that storing new pigment ink pads upside-down causes WAY too much ink to pool up near the surface. Storing it upright helps pull the ink away from the surface to a much more manageable level.

Much as I hate to do it, with two different new pigment ink pads I've had to break out a paper towel and sop up some of the ink to get them to work at all! Way, way too much ink, nothing but blobs when stamped.

I'm wondering what kind of ink my "Stampin' Up!" black ink pad is<quote\>

If its your big pad that folds over its a dye based i.e. water based that's why you can use it with the blender pen. If its SU Ink Spots, the 1" X 1", its pigment ink. i didn't know that until i ruined some of my SU consultants ink spots she loaned me. whoops

deniserows
and inks with Roy G. Biv

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When I'm carving, though, and I'm ready to make my first trial stamping, I use the black dye pad.

I'd often like to check my work before I am finished carving, but I'm always afraid the ink will cover over my transfer marks, or if I wipe the ink away, I will obliterate any remaining outline. I wonder if I could find a light color (yellow, white) for trial stamping?

Chadams, if you are talking about this:

http://www.rangerink.com/product_archival.html

it is dye ink, and also my favorite balck dye ink. It's what I carry on the trail, though certainly not the only thing (smiles when he thinks of marvys).

I recently came upon a stamp that I had to spend about 15 minutes cleaning because of gross pigment ink, so I don't like it on the trail. But I'll tell you this. After I carve a stamp if I want a "proof" like a really nice final stamp before sending it out to wherever it is going? Pigment ink every time, then a nice cleaning.

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I wonder if I could find a light color (yellow, white) for trial stamping?

This is what I use. Marvy Marker #13 Ochre. It's light enough to see pattern on the stamp after use and dark enough to see detail on the paper.

Amy

The other nice thing about having a little bit of color on the stamp surface (for example, light blue on the white material and red on orange or pink) is that carved areas are easier to see. If I'm doing a carving with fussy detail, I will almost always start out by putting a layer of dye ink over my image transfer and then waiting for it to dry before starting to carve.

Also, when I do a trial stamping in a color I can actually see against the carving medium, it gives a good blueprint -- or redprint ;-) -- for which bits still need to be carved away, since they are clearly visible against the uninked background.

So many ways to accomplish the same thing... :)

Webfoot

Yep thats the one! I carry that and Marvy's as well!
chadams

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The other nice thing about having a little bit of color on the stamp surface (for example, light blue on the white material and red on orange or pink) is that carved areas are easier to see.

OK, I give up. What other purpose is there for applying a bit of light-colored ink prior to carving?

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Also, when I do a trial stamping in a color I can actually see against the carving medium, it gives a good blueprint -- or redprint ;-) -- for which bits still need to be carved away, since they are clearly visible against the uninked background.

I carve by slicing the entire outline of the image with a razor knife, and then come back and remove the chunks of rubber in between. With lots of detail, I often forget to remove a chunk here and there. When I make a trial stamping with black dye ink, I can just wipe the ink off the stamp and the black dye will remain embedded in the slits I cut with the razor knife and show me exactly what's up.

I use a teal dye ink to put on top of my marks (works great on white) to see where i have carved. Then i stamp it out with the teal. I can still see my marks through it (done in pencil). I am not so sure i could with black or a darker pigment base.

LtW