Chalk Pads for light backgrounds?

[yummyummy]

I want ink pads that can be used with stamps I use for the background, so its soft and doesn't overpower the main stamped image. So will the chalk pads work for that? or are there other inks that I need? Please help.

[yummyummy]

Anyone have any advice for me?

[stampin8mom]

I don't think the chalk pads are what you want for a soft, subtle, look. The colors are still pretty vibrant. They just have a different look than the classic pads. I love the chalk pads.

As far as background stamps, I would ink them up, stamp them on a piece of scrap paper, then onto your cardstock. This takes the "brightness" out of the color and leaves a very soft color.

HTH,
Kathy

[toodme]

Hero Arts has a line of inks called shadow inks that are made to achieve the effect you are describing.

[yummyummy]

Thank you. I will try to do what Kathy suggested first, so I can hopefully save some money. Otherwise I will look into the shadow inks. Thank you both for your wonderful suggestions.

[mamakimberly]

I use craft ink with a light color (i.e. pretty in pink on pixie pink) to get a soft look. It looks FABULOUS and I AM SO IN LOVE with doing this!!!

Bashful blue on ballet blue? AMAZING!

[Rox71]

Some of the chalks will work fine for what you're doing. I've done it with light colored Colorbox and Fresco brands. I have one in my stamp room now; sorry it isn't in my gallery. I used various shadow stamps to cover the entire card front.

[GarnetJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampin8mom

As far as background stamps, I would ink them up, stamp them on a piece of scrap paper, then onto your cardstock. This takes the "brightness" out of the color and leaves a very soft color.

HTH,
Kathy

It's a great idea to stamp twice.. sometimes called "stamping off" to get the exact effect you want. But I'm too stingy to "stamp off" on scrap paper which will be thrown away. I stamp on two pieces of cardstock, use the one I like best for the project I'm working on and SAVE the other one for some future project.
BTW... I also buy white and offwhite cardstock in reams at PaperZone. It's a LOT cheaper than purchasing single sheets.

[jdmeeks]

Another suggestion for a soft background - stamp the BG image with versamark and use poppin' pastels (chalks) over it. It turns out pretty IMO. Wishing you the best!