Ink for solid stamps?

[Barbara Jay]

When I use a solid stamp such as silhouettes I don't get a crisp image.
I have cleaned the stamps with solvent cleaner and lightly used a sanding block . It still it not stamping crispy.
What brand of ink do you recommend for solid stamps ?
Thank you!!

[HolleyTX]

some solid stamps i always have that issue with. and I have done the things you are saying. I have tried a couple of things to get over it, either a sponge (like a makeup sponge that I gently use to dab more ink on the finished image to even out the color) or direct coloring on top of the image. Sometimes I wonder if the stamp is just not mounted well to the block.

Is it completely bare in one spot or the ink is just not completely even when you stamp?

Holley
a new project posted everyday! Holley's Blog

[Barbara Jay]

The ink is not even on the card stock.
I was stamping Dasher .
Then I tried pigment ink and embossing powder , but the image was not smooth like glass it was a little bumpy :(
It doesn't need to be shinny as with embossing powder I just want it smooth

[luckygal]

I personally like chalk inks with solid stamps. The ink is thinker and tends to coat the stamp well. Otherwise, I would have suggested the steps you have already taken (cleaning, sanding). You could also try getting a better stamped image by using some extra padding, like a magazine or piece of thin foam, under your paper when stamping. You could also ink up the stamp, lay the stamp flat on the table and place your paper on top. Gently rub over the image with your hand, or use a brayer. This will help to get the paper in full contact with the stamp. I do this with large or background stamps that give me problems stamping a full image. If some of these suggestions don't help, is it possible that the stamp itself is not even, therefore, being defective? Good luck!

[KathiR]

Have you tried VersaFine? That might work for you.

[allee's]

My ink of choice for silhouettes is Memento Tuxedo Black.

[Emilia]

I use Versamagic, versafine and memento inks.

Recently, I bought Vivid inks because I had read on the Stamp TV website that they are very good for solid images. I placed my first order just to try them, then I placed a second order and I have almost all the colors
They are very very good but they cannot be used with Copic Marker.
I used them on different types or cardstock, included a textured envelope and the impression is great.

[Scrapjanny]

I find that pigment/chalk inks work best with solid stamps.

[cobby]

I am having the same problem with Dasher. It's not "awful" but enough that I notice, then I don't want to use the image. His body is supposed to be solid and I want it to be smooth and solid!

First, make sure the ink pad you are using has enough ink. If it's a pad you've had for awhile it may need re-inked.

Here's what I did to finally get an image I consider acceptable.

Using a brand new Cherry Cobbler ink pad; I first ink up the Dasher stamp with Versamark, then ink it up with the Cherry Cobbler. One after the other, not stamping in between. So you have two layers of ink on your stamp.

I put my piece of paper on top of a larger post it note pad. Stand up, then stamp down on the paper, laying my hand flat on the wood I lean down into it; count to about 10...then carefully lift up. This seems to get me a good solid image most of the time. It's not mistake proof but it's stopped me from throwing out a lot of stamped images.

Either zap the image quick with a heat gun or set aside to let dry a little bit since with the Versamark on there it will stay "wet" a little longer and could smudge if you try to handle it too soon.

[shazsilverwolf]

If its a woodmounted stamp, maybe removing it, cleaning off the cushioning and remounting it with e-z mount might solve the problem?

[calgramma]

Whenever I have a large stamp or a solid one, I take the stamp pad to the stamp vs. the stamp to the pad. That way I can tell if the image is completely inked. And, it doesn't make the little 'divit' in my stamp pad. You can also try applying the ink with a brayer. I have had good luck with this also. Also, make sure that you are stamping on a 'forgiving' surface (like a mouse pad or a magazine), that helps with the solid images. HTH

[dini]

If you are using a dye based ink you can mist the stamp lightly with water after inking - I did that on this card and the whole image stamped very nicely. The key is 'lightly' mist... if you get too much water you'll end up with a muddied mess! Ask me how I know. ;)

Fall quick card by dini - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

Another tip I have heard, is to press your stamp down for 10 seconds, so the ink gets a good chance to soak into the paper. Different papers take inks differently, too.

[cobby]

OH...jumping back in here to add a comment about paper as well. As dini said, different paper take inks differently.

If you are using SU paper you will have the most luck with the Whisper White or Very Vanilla. They are "ultrasmooth". Once you get your stamp evenly coated with ink and apply the right pressure this paper will give you the best "smooth" looking solid areas of your stamps.

Using something like the Naturals White or Naturals Ivory by SU makes it harder to get a good "solid" .

[criminalgrace]

Before you run out to buy all new inks, have you tried reinking your pad? I was getting blotchy solid images until I opened an incredibly juicy new stamp pad, which left a lot more ink on my stamp. What a light bulb moment! All I needed to do was reink some of those older pads to get them working just as well as the new one.

[sprtchick]

I also love the Fluid Chalk Inks...they give great coverage every thime.
blessings.

[mayjoynstamp]

One more idea for you to try....what are you stamping on? Do you use a stamping pad ? Even a cheap foam sheet or two under your paper will help. It gives it a bit of give so you can stamp more easly. It's to cushion your stamp against the paper because the table top is hard and doesn't give. Do you get what I mean? kinda hard to explain.

Paper and ink makes a difference too but you could try standing up and stamping on your paper. Little extra leverage or oomph! Of course on top of your stamp pad for all this!
Give it a try and see if it helps!

[junior tx]

If the image doesn't stamp as evenly and as completely as I would like, I use an aquapainter to fill in and smooth out the image.
I use an EMPTY aquapainter and dip the tip into water and squeeze out the excess water with my fingertips. You want the tip just barely damp. I pick up the ink on the aquapainter and then fill in the image. If the brush is too wet it will look smeary. If the brush is too dry it will have brush marks.
Play with it and see. Once you get the hang of this technique, it is easy to get the image looking just the way you want. HTH

[kkaisu]

Chalk inks and Vivid Dye inks work the best for me on stamps with alot of solid image space. If I need it in a color I do not have in either of those dyes I will use my stampamijig and stamp multiple times to get a nice dark solid image.

[Barbara Jay]

I appreciate all of the suggestions and I am going to try the including Fluid Chalk ink.
The idea of re-stamping an image or lightly misting the stamp before stamping it are also an ideas I want to try.
Some of the suggestions I have already tried.
I guess I am a perfectionist and want a silhouette to look solid black. ;)
Thanks again !!
Barbara

[cat_woman]

If your stamped image is missing in spots, its more likely the stamp isn't completely level. I would try Mayjoynstamp's suggestion first before getting a bunch of different inks. Even a magazine or a section from the newspaper will give a little bit a cushion so that the stamp makes contact on all areas to the paper.

[Savagetwin]

In one of my SU classes, we used stamp positioner to stamp dasher several times. I also think a stamp pad underneath will help.

[greatgrace]

I'll admit I have grown very fond of my stamp-a-ma-jig for these stamps and lots of others. It's not a "permanent" solution but it means that I can re-ink to correct any problems, and cuts down on those "ah shoot!" moments, when the card is nearly complete and the last thing I do ruins it.

Only real issue is that some of the colors look deeper if you stamp them again.

[Barbara Jay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savagetwin

In one of my SU classes, we used stamp positioner to stamp dasher several times. I also think a stamp pad underneath will help.

Thanks
Stamping a silhouette image several times seem to be a solution.

[Barbara Jay]

One of the suggestions to correct my stamp not stamping crisply was to see if it was uneven on the block.

I am having trouble with Dasher and it is on a wood mount.

I just looked at it very carefully after I realized it was rocking when I stamped down. The foam backing is "much thinner" under the body and legs than it is at the top under the antlers. The body is what is not inking or stamping properly.

The foam is already attached to the rubber from SU, so I didn't put it on wrong.

I really like it so I will have to buy another one. I can't return it. I have stamped it a gazillion times with every ink I could find trying to get it it stamp properly. Sheesh!
I guess in the future I better check the stamps to be sure they don't have defective EZ-mount on them

[cobby]

Barbara, before you buy a new one you might want to try to unmount Dasher and remove the foam.

I know on some of my older SU stamps when I unmounted they separated from the foam easily. Might not be as easy with a newer stamp but it's worth a try. Check out some of the unmounting threads that are out here.

If you are successful; there should be enough sticky stuff left on the back of the rubber that Dasher will cling to a clear block. At that point you will probably want a foam pad or magazine under your paper as well.

[InkeePhingers]

I have a tip for solid stamps that I just stumble upon doing a Christmas workshop with Dasher. I didn't like the way he was stamping either...splotchy and not solid looking at all. So I inked him up with Chocolate Chip classic ink then colroed his body with a chocolate chip marker too...WOW! He was gorgeous and solid looking! I will never just ink up Dasher again without coloring him too! I also did this with the trees in Scenic Season and it worked there too! Don't worry about how the coloring looks on the stamp...it will be fine! My customers LOVED it.

[markie's mom]

I didn't have time to read through all the replies and this may be a repeat, but I ALWAYS ink and stamp my stamps in VersaMark when I first get them. Then, I clean them and use Palette Hybrid Ink to stamp the solid images. The solid images ALWAYS stamp clearly when I follow this process.

[heylookatme]

I "prime" all my red rubber stamps with StazOn cleaner before first use. Just follow the bottle's directions.
A lot of people sand their stamps, but that makes me squeamish. I don't like the thought of putting a ton of micro-scratches on my stamps. I've been using it for 10 years and NONE of my red rubber stamps are cracked or dry.

Before using all my photopolymer stamps for the first time, I prime them with a regular stamp cleaner, such as SU's Stampin' Mist.
DO NOT use StazOn cleaner on these stamps!

Also, I found Tsukineko's Versafine Clair pigment inks have been the most successful for even, solid ink impressions with broad, flat stamps......both red rubber AND photopolymer.



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