Clear Ink Bottle Stamps and Ink Swatching - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Clear Ink Bottles

Which inks can be used with my Stamps?

There are many different types of inks that can be used with our photopolymer stamps, here are some of the most popular types:

Pigment-based inks

Pigment inks work well for heat embossing with powder and a heat gun, as they stay wet longer than dye inks, and they give crisp, clean images. We recommend Versafine as the number one ink to use with our stamps. It is a quick-drying oil-based pigment ink. It is archival and resists water, so you can use it with watercolours. It cleans with water and will not stain your stamps. If you are going to use your stamps with coloured, clear or white inks, you will need to get them clean, or the ink will transfer. If you are stamping on a slick surface like shrink plastic, first stamp on a piece of scratch paper, and then the stamps won't slip as easily. 

Solvent-based inks

Solvent inks are great for permanent, strong inking. We recommend using Staz-on. They impart very minor damage to the photopolymer; however, the solvent cleaners will eventually damage the polymer. Do not use Staz-on if you are going to add colour with Copic markers, as it will damage them. Recommendations for using solvent-based inks with clear stamps: 1. Use solvent-based cleaners sparingly. Solvent-based cleaners are more damaging to the stamp than the ink you are removing. So if you use cleaners, do so sparingly. 2. Create a pigment barrier between the polymer and ink by applying a water-based ink before applying your solvent ink. This will prevent the solvents from coming into direct contact with the polymer. 3. Wash ink off immediately with soapy water.

Dye-based inks

Dye inks are quick-drying inks that are water-based and dry almost instantly, such as Memento ink from Tsukineko and Archival ink from Ranger. They will stain photopolymer stamps. If you are just using black or darker inks, then it doesn't matter, and it will be difficult to tell if the stamps are clean. You can prevent most inks from staining by using either a clear watermark ink or Versafine under ink. The Distress inks from Ranger are also dye inks; they have different properties from regular dye inks and give a mottled, distressed look, not crisp, clean, solid images.

Chalk inks

Chalk inks are pigment-type inks, but they have a flat matte finish like chalk pastels, and they are archival.

Hybrid inks

Hybrid inks from companies like Stewart Superior offer the best of both dye and pigment inks and are well worth trying. However, they will stain polymer stamps. 

Watermark inks

Watermark inks such as Versamark work excellently, particularly for embossing. You can get some great results stamping with a watermark ink and letting it dry, and then applying chalks over the image, you can make images any colour or a tone of the background paper. 

Fabric inks

There are also speciality fabric inks available that are permanent and will not wash out if you heat set them. They do dry out fairly quickly, and you need to re-ink them regularly. They do a great job, but the colours are limited. 

Acrylic Paint

You can use acrylic paint on your photopolymer stamps, just make sure you clean it off right away. It works best on the more bold and chunky types of stamps, as it tends to fill in the very fine detail and give you blobs of paint. There is a fabric medium you can purchase to mix with the paint to create your own fabric paints.

What are Clear Ink Bottles?

Clear ink bottles are specially designed containers that hold various types of ink for stamping. Because they are transparent, users can easily see the ink color without having to open the bottle. This transparency not only adds convenience but also allows for quick identification and selection of ink colors. Many crafters prefer clear ink bottles because they help keep crafting supplies organized and visually appealing.

How to Use Clear Ink Bottles for Stamping?

Using clear ink bottles for stamping is quite straightforward. First, shake the bottle gently to mix the ink before use. Then, pour a small amount of ink onto a stamping pad or directly onto a clear stamp. However, be cautious not to overload the stamp with ink. After stamping, you can easily clean the stamp with water or a suitable cleaner, ensuring it remains in perfect condition for future use.

What is Ink Swatching and Why is it Important?

Ink swatching is the practice of testing various ink colors on paper to see their true appearance once dried. This process is crucial because it helps artists and crafters understand the nuances of different inks. For example, some inks may look different when applied compared to how they appear in the bottle. Additionally, swatching allows for better planning in crafting projects, ensuring that the desired ink colors are accurately represented in final designs.