Stamp pads vs Ink Spots

[girouard8]

Hi - I'm a newbie and I'm sorry if this has been posted already (I couldn't find it!), but can I get some feedback on the stamp pads vs stamp spots? The spots seem like a great, inexpensive way to get all the colors, but I have a feeling I'll be aggravated by the small size. I've already discovered how much $$ I can invest in this new hobbie, but I also want to be happy with my supplies, or I know I won't bother using them. Your experienced opinion is appreciated!

[ellesart]

I use both stamp pads and Stampin Spots. When you are first starting, you are right, you can get more colors by purchasing the spots. They work very well with small to medium size stamps and are great for direct to paper and other techniques. the regular ink pads are a must for most background stamps and larger stamps. I started with a few basic colors in the regular pads plus the spots in other color groups. I just finished collecting ALL of the regular in pads!! Woohoo!! That is after 3 years being a demo.

[ajstrunk]

Spots are great for people who want all the colors but don't want to invest in the full pads. I usually suggest to my customers that they buy a full size black. The only time they really drive me crazy is with the background stamps otherwise I think they are great!

[stampin_4_sanity]

For just starting out I would definitely say invest in the spots. I find I like them better for inking all my stamps INCLUDING my background stamps- just turn them over and kind of rub across it. They do tend to fray though when you do this- you will probably also need the refills sooner with the spots but just order a refill or two each time you place an order and soon you'll have them all!

They are also great for coloring with blender pens. I use a glazed tile- that you can get from Lowes/Home Depot to press my spot onto (since there are not lids that you can press against).

Heather

[MrsAngotti]

I'm relatively new to stamping. I have the stampin spots in all the colors and I love them. What I plan to do is keep track of the colors I use all the time and get regular size pads in those colors! I think the spots are great.

[gthandy]

I have the spots and they work well for me right now !

[TamIAm]

I love my spots! I'm still short of the Bold Brights, but have all the rest and can tell you that they are wonderful--especially when you only want to get a portion of the image! I wanted colors, but didn't want to invest the big bucks in pads I wouldn't use, so I'm keeping a list of the ones I use most (like Rose Romance, Night of Navy, lol). Then I'll add those to my shopping list. It's a great way to sample the colors and not be disappointed--then on the rare occassion you need that one color, you still have it on hand!

[SmilingDaisy]

Here is the link to the same post I created about 2 weeks ago....

Forums at Splitcoaststampers

HTH,
Kath

[SmilingDaisy]

I currently have the Bold Brights and Rich Regals spots and a full size Basic Black pad.

kath

[maryp]

Stampin' Spots are a very wise purchase in my opinion. I started with the
SS set and added the other 3 sets within about a month after I started or-
dering SU products. They're great for doing multi-colors on a stamp, great
for traveling, easy to store since they're so small (& cute!). I've gradually
been buying some of the full size pads. The spots are such a great way to
have all the colors for less $$$.

Mary

[Mom-of-one]

the spots are great for someone just getting started. They eventually bump up to the larger one when they become more comfortable with stamping.

[karriecook]

I've been stamping for several years and still rely on my spots. They are very portable. You will find there are certain colors you use more than others. These are ones you might want to invest in a full size pad. A black full size pad is a must, though. I've not had too many problems using spots on background stamps. Just be sure to "huff" on it.

Spots rock!

[CPLN4]

I'm very new too. At first I didn't see how the spots would work. I thought they had edges so you couldn't get a stamp on it, it ink it up. Now I think they're great.

I have the Bold Brights spots, and the black pad. I will be ordering the Earth Elements spots and Versamark pad next.

By buying assorted colors (cardstock and ink) I'm learning what I use a lot of (like I'm already out of Brilliant Blue cardstock) to maybe buy just that color (cardstock or big ink pad) and what I hardly use.

[grace]

I find the spots frustrating when you're inking a larger stamp...for meit's harder to get a smooth, even inking. I love the new pads and the larger size. So for me it would be the pads!

[girouard8]

Thanks for all the feedback - I knew I could count on you guys! I will probably order one set of the Stampin Spots, I already have the full size black pad. I'll see how it works from there, then decide if I want all of them. I appreciate all of your honest opinions.

[jeanstamping2]

I love my ink spots...They are from TAC "The Angel Company" I like using them for home parties...Much easier to take with you.........I have at last count 18 spots.

I must admit TAC doesn't have matching inks, and papers like SU and CTMH.
But it's all GOOD!!!

Just my 2 c's woth!

[esah23]

I received my first order from SU, and it included ink spots! I love them! Great way to find the colors you will use most.

[dianarie]

hi there, i've only been stamping a couple of years and bought the ink spots because i too wanted all the colors but didn't know if i would make such an investment. well....i still use my ink spots and have slowly bought the ink pads. when i purchase the ink pads i always buy the refill. i've never used any of the refills on my spots yet and i've used them ALOT! have fun!! diane

[stamprat]

The spots are really great for the alphabet stamps they alphas fit perfect on the spot. I use that a selling point to anyone who is buying alpha as it is a good way for them to have a lot of color options for there alphabets.

[vdoyle8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsAngotti

I'm relatively new to stamping. I have the stampin spots in all the colors and I love them. What I plan to do is keep track of the colors I use all the time and get regular size pads in those colors! I think the spots are great.

I so agree! I was going to say the exact same thing
I love having all those colors to play with -- I do more scrapping than card making, so a variety of colors is important to me. So far, I haven't had a problem with the spots on any size stamp -- I love them...

[Susy Foster]

Something a demo said a long time back about the Stampin' Spots made a lot of sense...she bought all of them and then if she used more than half of the colors in the family consistently, she bought that entire color family in the full-sized pads. If she didn't, she just used the spots. I've also heard that they need to be inked faster than a regular pad, but at least now they offer the refills in color families too for a little cheaper! Another plus...they are soooo portable--you can take all of them and use very little space.

Please beware though!!!!! Make sure to trim any frayed threads on the spots before you put the cover on and store them. That little frayed edge, if it goes outside of the cover, will wick ink to the outside and get ink alllllll over the sticker on the outside of the spot. My downline figured this out after several of hers got ink all over. Luckily, I've only had it happen to one...but I make sure to show that one to everyone!

[CPLN4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susy Foster

Please beware though!!!!! Make sure to trim any frayed threads on the spots before you put the cover on and store them. That little frayed edge, if it goes outside of the cover, will wick ink to the outside and get ink alllllll over the sticker on the outside of the spot. My downline figured this out after several of hers got ink all over. Luckily, I've only had it happen to one...but I make sure to show that one to everyone!

A-ha! That explains the little blob of Tempting Turquoise in my Bold Brights box. Thank you.

[Susy Foster]

Glad it's only happened to you once though! Glad to help!

[Stampin Wrose]

The spots are portable and have their uses.

I never used mine much, I had just a few, but finally got the full pad for those. I got all the refills, eventually - of course the ones I used most, first.

I don't know if it was because I'm not as adept as you younger people, or just lazy, it just seemed more like a chore to ink my stamps with the spots. Just a little thing, but with every stamp....

If you can afford the regular pads, and aren't a demo that wants to be able to travel with them, then why bother??