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I am in search of a rich, dark black ink. I want a juicy pad. I've tried 3 different types and I haven't come upon that deep, dark black.
Also - would like to know the best inks to use if I'm doing a technique with water so it doesn't smear, use with copics so it doesn't smear, use with oil based techniques so it doesn't smear, other unique products, etc.
I know there is a ton of knowledge about ink bases out there. I would love to learn the basics of ink 101 so I know what types of inks I should be buying depending on my project.
I suggest Versafine ink for nice, rich black sentiments. It is an oil based, fast drying pigment ink and it does a great job on detailed stamps. You can watercolor with it. Another very good ink is Archival, but it is not as dark black as Versafine.
For copics or any alcohol based marker, most people use Memento ink. You cannot watercolor with Memento or it will bleed and it is not a rich black.
I haven't tried it, but I think My Favorite things came out with a black that is okay for both watercolor and copics.
I agree with Howdyheidi about Versafine Onyx (use with water-based stuff) and Memento (use with alcohol-based stuff). Versafine is soooooooo nice and black. I wish Memento was blacker.
Thanks saying that Sophie. I thought I was the only person wondering why my Memento wasn't very black at all. On my Core'dinations white cardstock it's more gray then black once it dries.
I use India Ink Black. I've never had it run with watercolor or alcohol ink. It's a really deep rich black. I have, and like, VersaFine and Archival blacks, but my go to black is always India Ink black.
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Another fan of Versafine Onyx. It is a super black ink, and it's the ink I use most often.
I got some Memento and was also disappointed that it looked sort of dark gray instead of black, and it does not stamp nearly as nicely and evenly as Versafine.
I use the Versafine for images that I color with alcohol markers because I prefer the dark, crisp images I get with it. If you let it dry thoroughly and color carefully, it really doesn't smear much. I try to color just up to the lines, and not over them when I use it.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Versafine Onyx is my go-to black ink. Great, solid coverage. Stays juicy forever. Takes a bit longer to dry, so be careful about smudging. I also have the Sepia and Grey to round out my neutrals.
On the rare occasions I use Copics/Sharpies, I use Memento, but as others have mentioned, the coverage is not as good.
Thanks saying that Sophie. I thought I was the only person wondering why my Memento wasn't very black at all. On my Core'dinations white cardstock it's more gray then black once it dries.
I will try the Versafine Onyx.
I have been complaining for years that Memento is an off black. I even had somebody say to me maybe my ink pad was dry. How long I have been stamping? I think I would know if my ink pad is dry! Memento Black is a sore in my stamping side. Rant over.
I am an elitist snob about black inks. I love Versafine Onyx Black and Brilliance Graphic Black. I do heat set both before I water color and never had a problem smearing.
My go to black pads are: Versafine black onyx and the india ink black that others have mentioned. BTW, for those who may be reading this thread and wondering "what india ink pad", it is by Stewart-Superior and is found in their Memories line. Love that pad of ink!
Marvy black (the square ink pad) is a nice, deep black. I use it all the time for "regular" black stamping, like greetings.
If I am watercoloring, I use StazOn black or I emboss. The advantage of the latter is that I get tiny raised edges to help contain the colors, if that makes sense.
This got me thinking about my blacks, so I grabbed my ink samples. Holy cow! How did I never notice how much different they are?
The Stazon jet black is the blackest of mine. Versafine onyx is also a deep black. My Amuse Studio onyx isn't juicy, but appears to be blacker than my Memento tuxedo black, which is a bit gray. SU's basic black is actually gray, and Gina K's black onyx almost looks brown next to the rest of the blacks.
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This got me thinking about my blacks, so I grabbed my ink samples. Holy cow! How did I never notice how much different they are?
The Stazon jet black is the blackest of mine. Versafine onyx is also a deep black. My Amuse Studio onyx isn't juicy, but appears to be blacker than my Memento tuxedo black, which is a bit gray. SU's basic black is actually gray, and Gina K's black onyx almost looks brown next to the rest of the blacks.
Thanks for posting your samples. Those are very helpful.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
My go to black pads are: Versafine black onyx and the india ink black that others have mentioned. BTW, for those who may be reading this thread and wondering "what india ink pad", it is by Stewart-Superior and is found in their Memories line. Love that pad of ink!
I found the India Ink by Stewart on Amazon, but it costs quite a bit more than another one I found by Hero Arts, which also is called India Ink.
Does anyone have a comment about the Hero Arts India Ink?
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
My go to black inks are Memento (Copics & general stamping), Versafine (oynx) and Color Box Chalk Blackbird (especially good for solid stamps), and Stewart India Ink Black (watercoloring).
I frequently reink my pads to keep them juicy except the Versafine and Color Box as they stay juicy for a long time. I only use StazOn for coated or glossy surfaces as it's just not black enough.
Where is the cheapest place to buy this India Ink pad?
Amazon seems to be the best place based on price including shipping (with or without Prime). There are other sources at a cheaper price but the shipping costs are outrageous. One place wanted to charge $14 to ship a $5.07 ink pad. :mad:
I'm inclined to purchase an uninked pad and buy a bottle of india ink from Dick Blick. That's cheaper in the long run.
I'm inclined to purchase an uninked pad and buy a bottle of india ink from Dick Blick. That's cheaper in the long run.
I tried this and it was a huge disaster using regular India Ink. I should have just bought the Stewart Superior India Ink in the first place, lol. I always have India Ink & uninked pads on hand so I thought why not. The pad was ruined within a week. Apparently there is a resin in the ink that causes this problem. I am still trying to figure it out.
The ladies in India do use India Ink for their stamping inks. Their creations are stunning. I don't know if the American brand of inks are made differently than inks in Asia. If those ladies have a secret. I wish they share. I really want to know.
I tried this and it was a huge disaster using regular India Ink. I should have just bought the Stewart Superior India Ink in the first place, lol. I always have India Ink & uninked pads on hand so I thought why not. The pad was ruined within a week. Apparently there is a resin in the ink that causes this problem. I am still trying to figure it out.
The ladies in India do use India Ink for their stamping inks. Their creations are stunning. I don't know if the American brand of inks are made differently than inks in Asia. If those ladies have a secret. I wish they share. I really want to know.
Thanks for your response Sophie. I've seen threads on inks beading on clear stamps and I'm particularly interested in the versafine ink after everyone's comments here. Thanks again!
Thanks for your response Sophie. I've seen threads on inks beading on clear stamps and I'm particularly interested in the versafine ink after everyone's comments here. Thanks again!
dye inks are watery that's why they tend to bead up.
pigment inks are more of a viscous ink - they stick to surface better
Memento is a dye ink. Versafine and Brilliance are pigment inks.
I much prefer stamping with pigment inks than dye whether it's clear stamps or rubber. But rubber does work better with dye than clear ones do. One thing that helps a little bit sometimes is to first ink up with versamark ink (it's sticky) an then tap your dye ink on top of that before stamping.
Thanks Frugal stamper! I had never noticed that Versafine was a pigment ink!!! I had always avoided pigment inks before because all the pigment inks I had took SO LONG to dry!!! But Versafine actually dries quite quickly!
that's funny. I never thought they really took that long to dry myself. But I always heard people complain that. You can always speed it up with a heat gun (or hair dryer), too.
And Brilliance inks are great on different papers, including vellum.
And apparently Tsukineko is now Imagine Crafts. At least in the USA.
I guess I always thought they NEVER dried because the only pigment inks I had were whites and metallics. They never dried; not even days later. Still smeared.
Thanks for the tip on the pigment inks! I already own Memento and Stazon but in looking forward to a nice crisp impression. Hoping I get that with Versafine.
Thanks for the tip on the pigment inks! I already own Memento and Stazon but in looking forward to a nice crisp impression. Hoping I get that with Versafine.
If you have clear stamps be warned that staz-on and staz-on cleaner can shorten the life of them.
If you must use them, be sure to wash the stamps again with soap and water after you've used the cleaner.
I guess I always thought they NEVER dried because the only pigment inks I had were whites and metallics. They never dried; not even days later. Still smeared.
Yes. This has frustrated me in the past. Gold and copper are so pretty, but they never dry. And I've used the heat gun on them also.
The type of paper I use also affects this. Cheap, porous card stock dries in a day or two.
In the main, pigment inks were intended for use with Embossing Powder, so generally they do require heat and/or EP to dry properly. As Janet said, the type of paper can also make a difference. Its a case of testing the 'rules' out- people often seem to get very different results with the same or similar products!
Check out Jennifer McGuire Ink on YouTube. She always does a yearly"My Favorite Crafty Things" She talked about inks. She does this stuff for her job, so I usually take her expert advice.
the interesting thing to me reading this thread and others over the years is how different stampers draw different comparisons regarding the same products. Most stampers I know love versafine, and I can rarely get good results. Maybe my ink pad was too inky, maybe my pressure too hard, but I didn't get a clear image.
My go to for watercoloring has been Ranger Archival Black or Memories Black.
Good luck!
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Last edited by UnderstandBlue; 01-04-2015 at 12:52 PM..
Reason: added embed code
Most stampers I know love versafine, and I can rarely get good results. Maybe my ink pad was too inky, maybe my pressure too hard, but I didn't get a clear image.
I showed my real-life stamper friend Versafine and she didn't like it. The ink was too "heavy" on the fine lines for her. She had stamped it on watercolour paper. I was so sure she would love it, but she preferred the "lighter" black inks, like SU!'s. (not "lighter" as in "less black"; I meant less thick). And it's the old canvas-surface SU! inkpad she has, not the new foam-surface one.
The best inks to buy
Rant over. 
