craft inkpads

[NikiE]

What do you use the pigment craft ink pads for? I have only ever used dye inks, but I want something that is more archival and fade resistant for my scrapbooks. Do you have to heat dry it? How long does it take to dry?
Thanks!

[RachelAM]

The craft ink takes a long time to dry. When I use it, I use clear embossing powder with it. Otherwise, it ends up smearing.

[MaryR]

I agree with Rachel about clear ep - it looks great and finishes it off quickly and easily.

However, the more you work with craft ink, the more you get used to being careful not to smear it. It becomes part of how you stamp - being careful to to smudge/smear/touch it for a while.

Some take longer to dry than others it seems to me, but usually without heat drying it, you can touch it within 15 minutes or so.

I love using craft ink an yes it's the best choice for your scrapbooks.

[jkstieber]

I have the craft spots which I bought so I could emboss in SU colors. I like their craft ink, and if you heat it, it doesn't take long to dry at all. I especially like it for solid image stamps, I can usually get a little better coverage with craft ink.

[Ldyglfr62]

I also bought them so I could emboss in any SU color and only have to purchase clear embossing powder.
Diane

[lbirus]

Craft ink is much better for scrapbooking bc it doesn't fade and is archival. When I use my craft spots, I just hit it quickly with a heat gun and avoid the wait time.... so impatient... aaaa.. it's even taking me too long to type this....!!!!

BTW, craft ink is great for fuller coverage since it's opaque and deeper pigment colors when used on solid images!

[LeahsCreations]

scrapbooks and embossing with clear or irridescent ice powders
it does take longer to dry
for cards I heat set so I can get it done already. for scrapbooks I usually have several projects going so I let it air dry if I can.

[Laurie FW]

I have found that after you have had the craft inks for several years, they dry more quickly! I just put some of my scrapbooking projects out on my dining room table and within a few hours or overnight, they are dry! I don't have to heat them anymore, my craft ink pads are all fairly "old" though. The craft ink colors definitely stay brighter, I have some pages made 6 to 7 years ago (and they were NOT exposed to light, either) with regular classic ink and they have already faded considerably! My craft ink pages look exactly like they did the day I first made them.

You can also use a light craft ink (either embossed or not) on a dark colored CS and it looks so good. I have seen this done especially with backgrounds (floral, paisley, etc.) You really can't get the same effect with classic ink.