The "Lazarus" formula

[gregzgurl]

So... I've been going through my "stuff" to see which items to carry over into this (still relatively) new year, and ink pads were up this week. I've been really, really good at getting rid of non-functional, dried-out, ugly ones but had a couple that I couldn't bear to part with, as they were discontinued and I just loved the color.

One of them was from 2005 (CTMH Citrus Leaf) and one was from 2010 (SU Poppy Parade - I didn't know it would be coming around again). Citrus Leaf would still give a semi-decent impression, but Poppy Parade even had that crusty brownish thing going on.

I'm THRILLED to report that I tried the Frugal Crafter's DIY ink refresher, and it brought them both back from the dead! I freshened up a few other ink pads while I was at it, too!

If you don't want to go a-lookin', I'll share her recipe here: one teaspoon of glycerin in a 4 oz spray bottle of water, shake before using. I only had 2 oz spray bottles, so I did a half teaspoon (I used distilled water, too). A miracle worker, for sure!

Note of caution: this is for DYE ink pads ONLY - don't use it on your pigment or oxide pads...

[stampindoe]

Thank you for this information. I have kept it for future reference. So glad you were able to "reclaim" your ink pads.

[wavejumper]

Glad that worked out!

[fionna51]

I'll have to try that and see if it works better than the Ranger ink refresher. It's only nominally effective.

[maryalena]

I’ll try it too. I refreshed all my old Distress markers with the Ranger one. Some worked, some didn’t. This sounds like a good sub and much cheaper.

[gregzgurl]

Just wanted to mention that this works on ink pads that are dry but still have pigment. If they're out of ink, a refill is the way to go. I knew mine still had pigment because they haven't been used much (sad to say, and shame on me!)

[TLady]

Hmmm, I have a bottle of Glycerine & water I made---don't think I actually "measured" anything for making Faux Leather..... I think I just dumped in a small bottle of glycerine or part of one & added water. Would that work? Or would too much Glycerine be bad?

[gregzgurl]

Glycerine is also the main ingredient (if not the only ingredient) in Versamark, so that's a consideration...

[TLady]

So, too much Glycerin would make it more tacky? Hmmm I guess I could squirt some out & test it on my fingers.....

[wegret]

I've tried this from Frugal Crafter's "recipe" and it worked well for dye ink pads that were partly dry....keeping in mind that the resulting color may be slightly lighter than if a refill ink was used. That didn't bother me; but it is good to note if you are looking for an exact color match to the original pad color it may not work as well as a refill ink.
Hope this helps

[Catherine773]

Wow thank you for the info! I've used the store brands refreshers and they barely ever work for me. I'm going to give this a try for sure!

[Lamborghini Gal]

Thank you so much for sharing this very helpful information. I buy SU! ink and already, a couple of them, are discontinued now - that I still have. I try to buy refills, but that adds up too.

Beth

[mamaxsix]

Just had a conversation about older ink pads and will keep this in mind if my friend finds that hers are dry. Thanks for sharing