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I have several different brands of acrylic stamps, some expensive, some inexpensive.
I have found no difference in the quality of the images they stamp - but it does make a great difference what kind of ink you use.
I have had the best luck overall with pigment inks: Colorbox petal point inks, and Cats Eye ink.
The dye inks just seem to bead up on the stamps and don't work well at all.
This is the problem I had that's why I use the pigment inks. I use Brilliance, ColorBox Chalk and VersaMagic pads. And with the sale at Hobby Lobby this week on ink pads I think I will be seeing if they have any new chalk pad colors. Also I saw that my Joann's will be getting the dew drops in. (can't remember who makes these, but pigment also).
I've purchased acrylic stamps for the first time - went wild! Soooo many cute patterns. Now I'm faced with a new dilemma - LOL - I have no idea what kind of ink works best.
Please tell me your favorites and why you like what you like. I'd love to know the specific brand names, too, and where you purchased, especially if it's something I need to track down.
I've purchased acrylic stamps for the first time - went wild! Soooo many cute patterns. Now I'm faced with a new dilemma - LOL - I have no idea what kind of ink works best.
Please tell me your favorites and why you like what you like. I'd love to know the specific brand names, too, and where you purchased, especially if it's something I need to track down.
Muchas gracias in advance!
jane
Jane, I have just a couple of sets of acrylic stamps, I use liquid chalk, dye inks, as well as versafine ink. But my favorite is my liquid chalk. It may be just the image on the stamp, but I love the way it looks. Happy stamping.:-D
__________________ I'm Misti, and I've approved this message! MYGALLERY "Brace for Impact"-Capt. Sully "Brace for Impact"--Congress to America Proud mom of 2 soldiers-
What kinds of inks have you tried out on them so far? I find I get more consistent results with pigment and chalk inks, but like the effect of using them with the Ranger Distress inks too.
I too like the chalk inks, but I don't like how much they stain the stamps. Because CTMH sells acrylic stamps, I think their special formula ink works well. To Me it works better than SU dye ink. I haven't tried the craft ink with the acrylic stamps. Still there is a difference in quality of the stamps and some do not do well with any ink. And, incidentally, I bought some Brenda Walton clear stamps and I can't even get them off the backing The part I did tear off is not going to stick to anything. I admit they were cheap ($7.95 for about 5 stamps). I really think they should work in some way.
Wow - great info, everyone! I haven't used anything on them yet. I just keep looking at them like they are some wild curiosity that has invaded my house! I think I'm going to be totally out of control once I get them open.
My blocks haven't arrived yet, either, so that's also slowing me down.
I tried SU black with my Autumn Leaves set last week and the ink seemed to bead up and it didn't stamp well. I decided to then try Staz On Brown and it stamped beautifully. I cleaned right away and it didn't stain the acrylic. I haven't tried the distress inks though. Has anyone else not had good luck with the SU ink?
One thing that just occurred to me this evening is that I've used my acrylic blocks so much, and use double stick tape that I need to clean the blocks so I don't get stray ink when stamping.;)
__________________ I'm Misti, and I've approved this message! MYGALLERY "Brace for Impact"-Capt. Sully "Brace for Impact"--Congress to America Proud mom of 2 soldiers-
PS I tried distress ink and ancient page black tonight on my acrylics and they worked fine - now are they the best to use? That I dont know yet I am new to it too.
I have used all the Colorbox petal inks in lots of colors. Also the Cats Eye inks. For just basic black stamping images, my very favorite is the Versafine Onyx. It makes a crisp clear image and is good if you plan to color it.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I actually haven't found any ink that doesn't work on clear stamps yet. I've used staz-on, versamark, Ranger distress, memories, chalk (several brands) colorbox, ancient page, they've all worked great for me. I would like to say that CTMH dye based ink are formulated to work really well on clear stamps and I do think they tend to work a little better on them than other dye inks, they don't "pool" up as much as others do sometimes. But really just use whatever inks you already have, they'll work fine
One thing I do like to point out with new clear stamps is it's good to condition them before using them for the first time, rub a clean white eraser (like a chalk eraser) over them, then clean and you're ready to go. This will remove any residue and help the ink stick better too.
HTH
A couple of things I haven't seen mentioned on this thread yet and have worked well for me (tips from other SCSers on similar threads, not my own) is to first ink with Versamark, then straight onto an SU Classic pad THEN stamp on your paper. Also, the fun to say and do wrist action of twist, twist, tap tap tap (a quick twist in each direction then tap the stamp to the pad a few times) seems to work really well.
Another quick note- I have one acrylic set from Hero Arts that stains worse than any oter acrylic I've tried until I tried the Versamark to ink to paper- with the versamark as the first layer I was able to clean the stamps back to crystal clear with no trouble at all
A couple of things I haven't seen mentioned on this thread yet and have worked well for me (tips from other SCSers on similar threads, not my own) is to first ink with Versamark, then straight onto an SU Classic pad THEN stamp on your paper. Also, the fun to say and do wrist action of twist, twist, tap tap tap (a quick twist in each direction then tap the stamp to the pad a few times) seems to work really well.
Another quick note- I have one acrylic set from Hero Arts that stains worse than any oter acrylic I've tried until I tried the Versamark to ink to paper- with the versamark as the first layer I was able to clean the stamps back to crystal clear with no trouble at all
HTH
I am a big lover of clear stamps.I find that the chalk inks and the pigment inks work the best. I tried my SU inks and didnt find they stamped well at all. To be honest I found my CTMH inks not to be the greatest either so I ended up buying the chalk and pigment and fantastic!
I am a big lover of clear stamps.I find that the chalk inks and the pigment inks work the best. I tried my SU inks and didnt find they stamped well at all. To be honest I found my CTMH inks not to be the greatest either so I ended up buying the chalk and pigment and fantastic!
I forgot to put my name
Anissa Gore
Brisbane
Australia
I love Versafine ink pads!!! IMHO it's the best ink pad I have ever used. The ink was designed for use with finely detailed stamps like the House Mouse ones, but it works great on my clear stamps too. Try it! You'll like it!
Clearnsap Chalk inks, Palette inks and any pigment ink work well for me. I buy mine at www.cornishheritagefarms.com
I actually prefer the small sizes of both inks. Better storage and I can achieve the coverage I want. With the Cat Eye's, they even have a pointed tip which allows you to ink parts of the stamp with seperate colors.
As for cleaning, the jury is out on that one. There has been no long term testing done on cleaning polymer and acyrilic stamps with solvent cleaners such as StazOn. For that reason, I do use gentle cleaners on them.
You've all been super-helpful! I've purchased a pile of the ColorBox Chalk inks to play with...and I'm having fun! I am having a difficult time getting them clean so far, but I'm going to keep at it!
I've also used the Brilliance inks and they work really well.
Regarding cleaners - don't use Staz-On Cleaner while the stamps are on the blocks! Supposedly the cleaner won't hurt the stamps, but it will ruin the block.
OK, good tips about bad cleaners! I'll remember those. I picked up 12 of the ColorBox chalk pads in a nice mix of colors, so I am slowly building my non-SU stash. I also got the spectrum pad of Colorbox pigments in brights. I am now kicking myself about the Brilliance pads - I had a 30% discount coupon for all Michael's purchases today, and I didn't pick up any of those. I'll have to start begging my friends for their 40% ones soon!
I have been experimenting with a package of cute Clear Stamps I bought yesterday at Walmart. I am using Stampin' Up black ink on them but the ink seems to bead up and not make clear and crisp images on my paper like I get with rubber stamps. Do the clear stamps require a different kind of ink? Do I need to prep the clear stamps in some way to better accept the ink? I hope you ladies can help me understand how to use these stamps because I really like the images and like the idea of being able to see through the clear blocks and the clear stamps. Thanks.
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A few tips I've heard (and I've used some of them too) is 'rough up' the stamp, but using a rubber eraser on it, to get some of the 'slickness' off the image...not that you want to do this ALL the time, but I've heard stamping in Versamark first, then SU Classic ink gives you better coverage (I've tried this, and it is true) lastly, put a small cushion under it, just as ckarasz suggested, maybe a foam mouse pad or something...hopefully this will improve the quialty of your images
I don't know about the WM clear stamps but I have no problem using Papertrey Ink's clear stamps. I don't use a cushion or anything and the results are amazing. I have heard that Autumn Leaves stamps (from WM) should work really well. Maybe not top of the line but good. I've also heard it suggested to rub a pencil eraser over your stamp to remove any film that might be left over.
I will try the eraser on them and use a cushioned surface and see if I can break them in. I'm glad to know that after a few uses I might be able to get better results so I will keep trying.
Thanks for all your suggestions and help.
I have been experimenting with a package of cute Clear Stamps I bought yesterday at Walmart. I am using Stampin' Up black ink on them but the ink seems to bead up and not make clear and crisp images on my paper like I get with rubber stamps. Do the clear stamps require a different kind of ink? Do I need to prep the clear stamps in some way to better accept the ink? I hope you ladies can help me understand how to use these stamps because I really like the images and like the idea of being able to see through the clear blocks and the clear stamps. Thanks.
Less expensive clear stamp sets are typically made from clear viny.
Higher quality, and therefore, more expensive, clear sets, are typically made of high-grade clear photopolymer.
Sidebar: Altho many people confuse the term "acrylic" with clear stamps themselves, the term acrylic describes what the clear blocks used to stamp both clear and UM rubber images with are made of. Clear stamps themselves are not acrylic.
Depending on the quality and material your clear stamps are made of, you will achieve different results with various types of inks.
Cheaper vinyl stamps tend to perform best with chalk inks, pigment inks, and Palette Hybrid (which is a combination dye/pigment ink). These stamps have a tendency to repel water-based dye inks, causing the beading issue you described.
High grade clear stamps of photopolymer, will perform very well with chalk inks, pigment inks, hybrid inks such as Palette, and, may even perform well with water-based dye inks.
It is my understanding that high quality clear stamps never need to be primed by roughing up the surface (with a pink eraser, etc.), according to one source, but, if you are having repelling issues, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to try it. I wouldn't use anything more abrasive, however, than a pink eraser.
Many clear stamps will stain, as they tend to absorb the color of ink, no matter what type of ink is used on them. However, if you clean them properly, this does not harm the stamp, and you shouldn't experience any impeded performance, or "transfer/contamination" problems.
HTH,
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Best Ink for Acrylic Stamps
Try out all the inks you have and see how you like the effect! I would recommend rubbing the stamps either with a white eraser, across your jeans or tshirt, across some paper, or some surface like those to make sure all the manufacturing residue is off, as this residue can interfere with your clear stamps taking ink. They aren't some alien life that's landed in your craft room and needs to be studied -- give 'em hel and play with them! 
