'New' SU ink pads

[kitkat55]

I've seen mention of the 'new' SU Classic ink pads in a few posts I've read lately (been away for a while and trying to get back in the groove!), so I took time last night to look through my new SU catty. Looked particularly for mention of 'new' ink pads....and couldn't find anything other than the new 12-13 In Colors. The outside design looks the same.

Is there actually a new design for the classic ink pads? Some new trick that makes the new pads better than the ones we already have? Or do you think other posters were referring to the new colors?

Thanks for clearing this up for me....

[bettyjoanes]

They are changing the pads to a foam type,I'm sure someone can answer this better than me though.. lol

[calgramma]

All of the 'new' pads are firm foam vs the previous material. The design of the cases is the same, only the interior is different. SU has a video on their facebook page.

[LaLatty]

And I just had to mention how much I love the new firm foam ink pads.

[kitkat55]

Ahhh......thanks for the replies. No WONDER they looked the same from the outside. ;)

Although I don't have any of these new pads (yet), I think it's an excellent idea. I've often thought one of the reasons I preferred my Versafine pads the past few years was the pad....it allows the stamp to sink in a little and absorb more ink, in a more uniform fashion, than the firmer cloth one.

I might have to give these a go! Probably start with the new In Colors. I really like some of them!

Thanks all, for clearing this up for me.

Kat

[plumcrazy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaLatty

And I just had to mention how much I love the new firm foam ink pads.

Ditto this! I think the coverage is so much better now, and i don't have to work as hard to get ink on my stamps.

[LaLatty]

That's what I did! I started with the new incolors! I'll probably buy the new ink pads one color family at a time.

[Elzibell]

I used the new ink pads for the first time today and they are very "juicy" but I like them. Have to say I still have problems with opening the lids though but that may just be operator error....:rolleyes:

[carla36301]

I absolutely LOVE the new firm foam ink pads! The difference is amazing! I'll be slowly replacing mine, starting with my most used colors.

[Jana Z]

I'm excited about this! Love my foam pads too! Does anyone know if the cubes (spots) that you can still purchase are foam as well? Thanks!

[lindylou1220]

The spots are not foam.

The new ink pads are great!!!

[Jana Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindylou1220

The spots are not foam.

The new ink pads are great!!!

Thanks! Looking forward to trying the new pads!

[Wannabestampin']

I just got one and I love how they transfer the ink to the stamp. But my only fear is how easily they will tear.

I'll have to get mine replaced because it had a 1/2" rip on the side. Not a big deal but when you pay for something you expect it to be in new condition. And that makes me wonder if they're super easy to rip.

[jasimons]

I had a chance to try the new style stamp pads at an event held by my demo. I was impressed by the better ink coverage & better looking stamped image.

I've ordered the new In Colors ink pads and look forward to trying them out more when they arrive.

The label is a nice touch too!

[winnieu]

They sound great. I can't invest in them now that I have all others. It is too much $ for me currently.

[kitkat55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasimons

The label is a nice touch too!

Label??

[akstampmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitkat55

Label??

There is a set of labels that come on the bottom of the pad. You choose your language and then put the label on the end of the pad. It is so nice to be able to read the name of the color on the end of the pad while they are stacked again.

[basketballmom]

Here's a video that explains it ...

New Ink Pads with Shannon West - YouTube

[scrappy knitter]

Is the new "firm foam" similar to the foam on a versamark stamp pad? TIA

[basketballmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrappy knitter

Is the new "firm foam" similar to the foam on a versamark stamp pad? TIA

sort of, but not really.
The first firm foam pad I saw was raspberry ripple ... I thought it looked like fruit leather.
It's not nearly as "deep" as the versamark (although I haven't tried a "kill a hairy spider" squish* into them.

*description comes from Lydia.

[rollyfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

I absolutely LOVE the new firm foam ink pads! The difference is amazing! I'll be slowly replacing mine, starting with my most used colors.

I agree completely. When I first heard they were changing the pads, I confess I didn't really care. I was sure they weren't going to be better enough that I'd want to change all mine over. I was WRONG. They are fantastic. I'll have to go slowly, but I am going to make the switch.

[Mrs Noofy]

They seem to be similar to the pads used on the Vivid stamp pads. Is that what they are like?

[plumcrazy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Noofy

They seem to be similar to the pads used on the Vivid stamp pads. Is that what they are like?

I thought they were. I have a black Vivid and thats what i thought they seemed like.

[TLINDLEY]

I liked them at first and still do coverage wise... EXCEPT ...

I had a really hard time getting a clear image with the sayings stamps. I think the pad is way to juicy or something. I even tried barely touching the stamp to the ink pad and it still bled. Words were not clear at all.

I am a person who loves to add ink to the edges of layers. Not the same with the new pads. I used to be able to run the paper across the ink pad for a cool distressed look. Now I just get globbed ink. :( Should not have given my old ones away I guess.

[Makalah]

Tameria, can you do second gen stamping for sentiments on the juicy pads? Stamp once on scrap then again on your project without reinking? And for the distressed edges, would one of those finger-cover daubers work?

I haven't seen/used the new inks yet, but I'm curious if those tips would work (especially before I buy lots of them!)

[Minders]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLINDLEY

I liked them at first and still do coverage wise... EXCEPT ...

I had a really hard time getting a clear image with the sayings stamps. I think the pad is way to juicy or something. I even tried barely touching the stamp to the ink pad and it still bled. Words were not clear at all.

I am a person who loves to add ink to the edges of layers. Not the same with the new pads. I used to be able to run the paper across the ink pad for a cool distressed look. Now I just get globbed ink. :( Should not have given my old ones away I guess.

They have said that the new pads are very well inked and they seem to be! In the video Shannon suggested actually blotting them with paper towels if they seem too juicy. I had trouble with my sentiments at first but I seem to be doing ok now with a FEATHER light touch. I swear, I barely make contact with the stamp pad! It takes some practice. Try it on scratch paper....barely touching the stamp to the pad....

[muscrat]

There's no way I'm replacing all my ink pads. It just doesn't make money sense to do that. I have reinkers and will continue to use mine until they are no longer usable. Then I will replace. I have too much money invested that would be a loss if I were to replace. I've wasted enough money on "junk" in the craft stores only to learn I should have waited and come on here to see what others had to say. This is an awesome place for information.

[Minders]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscrat

There's no way I'm replacing all my ink pads. It just doesn't make money sense to do that. I have reinkers and will continue to use mine until they are no longer usable. Then I will replace. I have too much money invested that would be a loss if I were to replace. I've wasted enough money on "junk" in the craft stores only to learn I should have waited and come on here to see what others had to say. This is an awesome place for information.

I wasn't going to either...and then I got my new in color pads...I now own all of the new pads:rolleyes:

They simply stamp so much better that I couldn't stand it! I hated using the old pads, ha! I probably would have replaced them slowly had they not had the new hostess special...that helped and I got some free so I didn't feel AS bad:-) I admire anyone who has the patience that I just don't seem to posses, lol!

But really I didn't think I'd be replacing them until I used them....

[muscrat]

I've used them minders, and I am not in a hurry. They need a different, lighter touch or you end up inking the edges of your stamp. They do, if you get it just right, have a much better impression, but when I used a banner stamp, I ended up almost always having some ink in the middle of the stamp because I pressed too hard....I will ease into them....

[Makalah]

For SU ink, I have one new full size pad, maybe 3 used retired color pads with reinkers, and the starter kit of stamping spots. I have a handful of distress inks and other companies, but really haven't invested much so far. Part of it may be that I do a lot of line images, so I'm stamping in black then coloring. But since I'm likely going to sign up as a demo, I feel like its a perfect time for me to come in as someone new (which means hopefully other newish stampers are good customers in thus way too!). Part of my concern with the old spots is the little frayed threads that would affect stamping, so I really want to try playing with them! My demo doesn't have them yet, so I'm relying on videos and feedback posted here...keep it coming! ;)

[Minders]

Yeah I did not do well going from one kind of pad back to another....we won't talk about how many projects I screwed up....it probably will save me money in the long run, ha!!!!

[muscrat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minders

Yeah I did not do well going from one kind of pad back to another....we won't talk about how many projects I screwed up....it probably will save me money in the long run, ha!!!!

That is the one benefit I see of getting them all at once....you don't have to go back and forth so you can use the same touch on all of them....I still can't justify the money. :(

[Cartermrc]

I'll finally have a chance to try the new pads at my demo's workshop in July. I hope I don't like them too much, LOL! I'm really not eager to replace 21 current colors of perfectly good inkpads. We're retired and inflation is biting us in the you-know-where!

[frogwoman]

Has anyone tried the new SU pads with clear polymer stamps like PTI? Do you get good coverage with the new pads? Thanks!

[Makalah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogwoman

Has anyone tried the new SU pads with clear polymer stamps like PTI? Do you get good coverage with the new pads? Thanks!

good question! Perhaps someone can take a picture of the old pads vs new pads with a clear pti-like stamp? ;)

[Minders]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makalah

good question! Perhaps someone can take a picture of the old pads vs new pads with a clear pti-like stamp? ;)

I have not personally since I don't have any but I have heard that they work better.

[Glitter Gypsy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogwoman

Has anyone tried the new SU pads with clear polymer stamps like PTI? Do you get good coverage with the new pads? Thanks!

Wondering the same thing...

[Makalah]

AH HA!

Did some searching and found a few videos that compared the old SU inks to the new inks, and this one compares the new foam ink pads to Jenni Bowlin, Colorbox, Martha Stewart, and Stazon inks using solid images, an outline image, and a clear acrylic (cheap) stamp to demonstrate coverage:

Stampin' Up Haul and New Ink Pad Comparisons - YouTube

Looks like there may be a bit of a learning curve / adjustment from those that use the old inks, but her samples show that SU foam inks have pretty good coverage in comparison to some other ink companies for solid image stamps, but still do fine with cheap stamps and more detailed images. This is not helping my shopping wishlist...!

[plumcrazy]

Thats a good video on comparing the inks. I did the same thing when i got my new In Colors pads was compare them with the old felt and the new foam with clear stamps because i always had a hard time using clear stamps & getting a decent image.

To my surprise the coverage was fantastic with the new foam pads. I always had ink bead up with clear stamps (and some rubber too) but the new pads didn't do that at all for me. After playing with the new pads for a weekend, the difference was so much better to the point i decided to sell my old felt pads and buy the new ones. I didn't sell my older pads that are retired (cool caribbean, creamy caramel, etc) but just the ones that are current. The labels are a nice touch too.

The clear stamps i used to compare were old Autumn Leaves, PTI and Flourishes to name a few.

I'm not a demo, just a happy customer! HTH!

[Scrapmomoftwins]

I'm hosting a make and take next week...does anyone know if I can use the 50% off hostess items to buy the color sets of ink pads? If I end up liking them as much as I think I might, that could be a good option for me. If not, my wish list is still a mile long!