Cheaper Craft ink pads

[stamping_jen]

I saw some blank ink pads today at Michaels. They were the foamy kind like SU! craft ink pads. I was wondering if anyone has ever gotten these and just bought the re-inkers to make your own craft pads. The ones at Michaels were $1.00!

[serialpurrs]

I've started with the cheap pads (still saving for SU ones) and comparing the results to what I've seen of the SU pads, the SU pads wins without competetion.

[Glittergal]

Sorry...haven't tried it yet with the craft pads but I do it all the time with the classic pads (I really prefer the old-style pads, so for the newer colors, I get uninked pads and buy the reinkers). But I do have the Black SU Craft pad and love it - much more than the 3 dozen or so "foamy" ones I have from other brands; I get much less backstamping from the SU craft one. Maybe you could get one and try it out; you can always use the reinker and you'd only be out a little bit. If you do, please let us know how it works out. Linda

[Laura7712]

I think in this case you get what you pay for. I have tried the white cheapie pad but the color was pretty drap. Save up for the SU kind.

[stamping_jen]

Ok, thanks - I'd rather learn from you guys who have done it. I plan to buy one set of spots at the next workshop I go to. I am also going to buy a craft refill so I'll let you know what I think but I'll only start with one and will probably come to the same conclusion as you all did. Thanks.

[Glittergal]

Another thought I had...Ranger carries a product called Cut 'n Dry which comes in a sheet of either felt or foam - I have the felt and love it! Basically, you cut it to whatever size you want, ink it, and you have your own custom stamp pad. It's the exact same stuff as in a regular stamp pad, but the advantage here would be you could just cut a "spot" size square and use your white Craft refill as a test, and not have to ink up an entire pad (like the one you'd buy at Michael's), and if it doesn't work, you wouldn't be using up as much refill. And if it does work, you've got the rest of the sheet to make othe pads from. Anyhow...just another thought.

Here's a link to the page that explains it: http://www.rangerink.com/products_drypads.html
Good luck, and let us know (if you do try it) whether or not it works -- I'll be next in line if it does.