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I have waay too much ink. Pigment, dye, hybrid, fast-drying hybrid - and sooooo many colors.
How do you keep track of them? Does anyone have an easy system?????????????
I have debated using index cards - I started to think I could make a booklet with all the colors - has anyone done that and are there any templates that would help me?
I used the same cardstock that I use most often and stamped solid circles of ink so that I can match colors without waiting for ink to dry. I put all reds on one sheet, greens on another, etc. Underneath the circle I wrote the name and brand. If I own the refill I put a check beside the name. It has been more useful than you would believe. I also made a document on my computer listing them by company and color. I type in black if I don't have the refill and change it to red ink when I purchase the refill. It has made it much easier knowing what I have so I don't end up with duplicates.
I have indexed mine in a 3 ring binder. I use a page or pages for each company. I use a solid small stamp and stamp the color, then write the name and put "r" for reinker. I've done this with ALL my ink pads including my Color Box Petal Points.
__________________ ShariW
Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart-Prov.3:5a
i did this. I used 3 inch strips of white cardstock and used a smaller solid stamp. I wrote the name and brand of the ink below.
This way I can hold the strips next to each other and choose colors to use.
This works for me and I love it!
Here's my system:
plastic box with odd-n-ends of dye inks with a notecard on the front with name and color (Adirondack, rainbow pads, distress, Ancient Page, etc)
another box for pigment inks, same system
tiny plastic box for StazOn
Color Caddy for SU craft pads
six Creative memories small totes to hold each color family of SU classic pads I used this system long before SU sold the caddy and I don't want to switch)
Works for me! I know which box to pull and what's in it,
Mary Beth
I went a slightly different route... I had a couple boxes of useless business cards so I used a square background stamp and stamped each of my inks on its own card (don't worry, I only used a fraction of the cards! ), with the manufacturer, colour name & type (pigment, dye) written below. I then punched a hole in one corner and put them all in ROYGBIV order on a ring, so I can take it shopping to make sure I don't buy the same one! I also keep the ring near me so I can match up the inks with whatever colour paper I'm using.
These are all great ideas! I have the SU color chart hanging on my wall and I usually hold my paper up to it to see what would be the closest match. That doesn't do me any good with my non SU inks, of course, so I think I will try one of these methods. These days, I am more in an organizing mood than a stamping one.
i also have something similar to what's already been identified here (pages cut to fit my dayplanner, stamped with inks and include info for each).
one thing that's a little different however, is that i stamp both a solid and a small line image -- the colors can seem different when they aren't as "bold" as a block. and, i also have little spots for checking off whether i own the reinker, or marker in the same color.
I have a system very similar to Patter's, though I also have separate sections for dye, chalk, pigment inks, etc. It worked so well for me that I also did it with Stickles, markers, colored pencils. Now when I go "craft shopping", I can refer to my index and write down what colors I need to fill in the gaps in my collections. Sometimes it's almost as fun to organize as it is to stamp!
I have a bunch of downloadable/printable organizational charts on my Blog that I use to inventory my inks, papers and more. Perhaps, it might help you, too:
Ahhh...so true...and it keeps you from stamping too!
I also do what patter does...in the binder by brand. I have a binder labeled "color"...it has color samples of all kinds of things besides the inks...like prismacolors and watercolor pencils and ribbon, and all that stuff.
I made a "Binder" using 3 x 4 plastic name badge holders and small binder rings. I cut 3 x 4 cards to fit and punched with all my punches. In the back, I have typed lists of Nesties, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Copics, Stamp Pad colors, Cricut cartridges. I call it my Punch Guide and decorated with bling and ribbons. Very handy and because the lists are in a Word document, I can easily update my inventory. When I remember to take it with me, it is very useful when I'm at Stampin Up workshops. Next I will tackle my stamp sets.
I got the original idea from my Stampin Up Demo, Wendy.
I do something similar to what has been mentioned by some already, but with a twist. I use white 4x6 index cards that I draw lines on 1/2" apart and then draw various sized columns to accommodate 1-the name of the color and company, 2-a swatch of card stock, 3-the marker (both ends) and 4-a small solid circle stamp of the ink. Obviously, some areas are blank for some products. These are bound together by color families using a disk system. This way I can remove a page and hold it to another to see how the colors work, return it where it belongs or remove/replace/add as needed. That way all my colors are together. Included in this book are records of colors of other products (i.e. Stickles), punches, decorative scissors, etc. When I have time, I hope to computer generate these pages so I don't have to draw them each time I need a new one, but for now I have a supply I drew up while watching a movie. HTH. I do like the dividing up by company (I'm an organization freak!) and may try that. I do have that done in the book I carry to the store (sans the color samples) so that I don't buy the same thing twice. OK, so it helps if you look at the book! Happy organizing.
I have a bunch of downloadable/printable organizational charts on my Blog that I use to inventory my inks, papers and more. Perhaps, it might help you, too:
The Organizational Charts are a clickable link on the right.
Cheerio - Isabelle
Hi Isabel - Just wanted to thank you for sharing your charts. I printed off a few I needed and can't wait to be better organized. I thought I was pretty organized, but I see I have more work to do! You guys are awesome!
I just made a chart like Patter's. Easy to do. I typed or wrote in the name of the ink. Separated them by color family. Then used a solid and patterned stamp to stamp a sample of the ink. Then when I'm working on a project I can just pull out my chart and see what type of ink I want to use.
I just made a chart like Patter's. Easy to do. I typed or wrote in the name of the ink. Separated them by color family. Then used a solid and patterned stamp to stamp a sample of the ink. Then when I'm working on a project I can just pull out my chart and see what type of ink I want to use.
Yeah Tracy! And that's what I always do--pull our my color charts and find what ink/color will work best for my project. Saves tons of time and ink since I don't have to "test" it anymore. And I have pages for Stickles, Copics, Shimmerz, Luminarte Twinkling H20s, etc. all in the same squares in the same book. It is a VERY helpful reference book.
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
I have decided t simplify my life and stick almost exclusively to Stampin Up inks and papers. I never have to wonder what will match. Stampin Up has done all the work for me with the Idea Book and Catalog. This takes me less time to find matches and more time for stamping!
That would certainly simplify my life as well - however I don't like SU's ink pads (and don't have any of the current style) and I have bought so much beautiful paper on sale over the years - I have tons of colors -- SU is, in my opinion, expensive. I make a LOT of cards
No need for me to make an inventory to use while stamping as all my stamp pads sit on racks on my worktable. I have 78 misc pads and all of the SU classic and craft pads. I keep all my chalk catseyes and misc spots in a case so I can see them all at once.
I mark an "R" on the ink pad case to indicate if I have a refill.
My inventory list is used for shoppig. I have a cool little book that has lists of ink pads, markers, punches, glitter, pens, mists, chalks & powders, watercolors, colored pencils, sizzex, and emb. folders. This litte book holds 3x5 sheets of paper and is about 3" thick. No more wondering if I need a refill or buying a duplicate supply.
My sister came up with the idea and I can't thank her enough.
I have waay too much ink. Pigment, dye, hybrid, fast-drying hybrid - and sooooo many colors.
How do you keep track of them? Does anyone have an easy system?????????????
I have debated using index cards - I started to think I could make a booklet with all the colors - has anyone done that and are there any templates that would help me?
I made my life soooo much simpler by going to one brand of ink. Saved a heck of a lot of storage space too (think pads and reinkers of every color of every brand)! Went with Clearsnap cause they had what I use. Never have been a solvent-based ink user, so that wasn't a consideration in selecting a brand. Did keep Stewart Superior's Glue pad; only pad I have that isn't Clearsnap.
Thanks so much!!!!!!! This is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks so much for sharing
You are welcome! It is awesome. I have ALL of my ink samples in my book along with stickles, Twinkling H20, etc. It is SO helpful to have a swatch of everything. If you want a copy of my Excel file, feel free to PM me. Blessings,
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
Time to inventory the ink. . .
