Best dye-based ink?

[pjl-ny]

I'd like to know what you use for dye-based ink. Currently, I use Stampin Up but quite frankly I need to change. The ink leaks all over the pad base, certain light colors don't come out the same color. I keep buying new ink pads but feel like I'm just wasting my money.

I like the ink color and paper to match; that's why I've stuck with Stampin Up for so long but I need to explore other options.


So, what's in your craft room?

[DianeinSparks]

My current favorites are Hero Arts, Gina K, and My Favorite Things.

[bjeans]

Pam you have good timing. Jennifer McGuire just came out with her yearly favorite inks video - part of her end-of-year series.

Quite a few dye inks for different companies are made by Stewart Superior, just branded differently. Jennifer has gone into that in the past; I haven't watched the brand new video yet, however. Here's a link: My Favorite Crafty Things - Inks - Jennifer McGuire Ink

I've had one instructor go so far as to see all dye inks are the same. I wouldn't go that far, but but I shop more for color than brand. That said, two of my faves are Hero Arts and Studio Calico, but I have inks from many companies, shopping for color.

The only ones I haven't been 100% okay with are Altenew. Some mini cubes have been a little dry. But more than that, the color names on the cubes are written in tiny script and I've had trouble reading some - for example when the name is dark green on the black plastic cube.

[cobby]

Favorite brands I see mentioned all the time, and some by Jennifer McGuire from past favorite things videos....Memento, WPlus9, Simon Says Stamp and GinaK. I believe all but Memento also sell matching card stock.

[maryalena]

Watched the Jennifer video and she gives a good overview. I like Hero Arts and WPlus9 the best so far. I have a set of four mini cubes from Altenew. Mixed reviews on those. Two are quite good and one of the others beads up a lot and doesn't give a solid image using the exact same stamp. One stamps OK but seems a little dry. I don't plan on buying reinkers for these. I like the idea of layering sets of four though and the Misti takes care of my less than ideal images with them. Haven't tried the Gina K but it gets consistently good reviews, comes in cubes, and has reinkers.

[bjeans]

Just to toss something else in the mix, Impression Obsession now has a hybrid (felt pad) with a very fast drying time (no smudging) and is waterproof and archival. The owner demo'ed them at an LSS and explained she'd find herself wanting light to dark shades of the same color. You'll see that's just how they're curated on the website.
Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps: *NEW* Ink Pads & Refills


I only have some of the neutrals on page 4, including Mist and maybe Beige(?) which allow for no-line coloring.

[lovinpaper]

I use Gina K inks, paper, stamps, and anything else she sells. I also have Lawn Fawn ink pads. It is very much like Gina K ink as far as stamping and drying. Now, Lawn Fawn has paper that matches, reinkers, and cubes. I like ink pads where the lid comes off, not attached. I have always struggled with SU inks and do own a few.