Craft ink and solid stamp images

[laurakj]

I've had most of the craft spots since the special last Fall and I've always loved them for sentiments and the rich colors on darker papers, but while stamping today I realized something.
I've always disliked the solid images because I could never get them solid enough for my liking. I'd either go back with my markers and fill in the missed areas or try to stamp it again using my lego-ma-jig. Well not anymore, I LOVE craft ink for the solid stamps! I bought Polkadot Posies because of all the fabulous cards in the gallery. But I was worried from the time I sent in the order, it's a solid set LOL, but in that same order was the last set of craft spots I needed. So I decided to play. I LOVE the craft ink! I'm finally having fun using the solid images Don't ask me why I never really tried this before.

So that's my happy SU testimony for the day

[sara henton]

I was going to say another tip is to put a mouse pad under what you are stamping to give it extra cushion

[mrussom]

I too like the craft inks because they are just wetter and give a better impression. I have both in some of the spots and sometimes the crafts need to be dried (depending on the paper) if its too wet, but I do like them best. I have one spot group yet to buy and it will be craft spots. Love them. Mary

[Faereygirl]

Sara....that mousepad idea is awesome....much easier than what I did. I bought a cheap cutting board and some craft/fun foam at Wal Mart and glued the fun foam onto the cutting board. I use the foam side to stamp on and I hammer on the hard side when needed....hehe.

[jkstieber]

I discovered this when I bought the craft spots. I no longer fear solid image stamps! (though I still usually buy line images just because I love to color!)

[kimberup]

Another tip to get a better impression on solid image stamps, for those who don't have craft spots - use a regular pencil eraser and rub it over the entire surface of the stamp - usually only need to do this once for a new stamp and it will work much better!

[Geneal]

Glad you like the craft inks. I do too, but I have found for solid images that I do what I call "spanking." I turn the stamp image side up and spank it with the ink pad. I never have any problem getting a good solid image.

[Palapala]

Also, if you are using dye ink, use a back and forth "twisting" motion on the pad when inking. This really helps to get a nice solid image. HTH

[laurakj]

Yup I always do both of those. I "twist" then I "spank" to get the ink to cover the whole image. (You have to do both when you use spots for everything.) I guess I'm just anal about how solid is solid. LOL