Types of Inks - Part 1 ... Dye Inks

[farrah_js]

To break things down I will very simply break down the types of inks that are used for stamping. I will do in a few different parts so it isn't too overwhelming.

I will covering DYE inks, PIGMENT inks, WATERMARK inks, ALCOHOL inks and SOLVENT inks.

Sound OVERWHELMING??  :o) 

For this post I will start out with Dye Inks.

Dye inks are probably, in my opinion, one of the most common and versatile inks around. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Dye inks dry fast ... much faster than Pigment inks.

2. Most brands are waterproof so you can color your stamped image without the ink smearing, even when using watercolors.

3. They are great for thin lines and outline images.

Some Common Brands of Dye Ink:

Waterproof Brands  -  Can be used with watercolors or waterbased markers and most other mediums. 

Archival Ink

Colorbox

Memories

Ancient Page

Not waterproof   -  GREAT for COPIC Markers:

Memento

Cons:

Not good for heat embossing. It dries too fast and doesn't allow embossing powder to stick enough.

I tried to stick with common brands that you can find at your local Joann's or Michael's.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

[soccerjunki]

Thanks!! this is great! 

[LuciP]

Thank you that was very informative.

[lapizz]

oh wow - so you should use this type of ink with copics?

They work nicer (than other types) on detailed stamps?

Is staz-on a dye or pigment?

[farrah_js]

Actually I only recommend the MEMENTO ink for Copics. I have read that you can use the BRILLIANCE pigment ink with the Copics but it must be heat set first. Honestly, I think it's just worth geting the Memento. You can use Copics on it INSTANTLY after you stamp. And it gives GREAT detail.

Yes, it's nice to use a dye ink with detailed stamps. Pigment ink is thicker and dries slower so it's not as good with the finer details. 

STAZ-ON is a SOLVENT ink. I guess it's own category designed for decorating non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, shrink plastic, cellophane, aluminum foil, leather and acrylic. DO NOT use with your Copics. It will smear the stamps and stain the ends of your markers.

But remember .... there are so many exceptions to the rules. These are just basic. There are also HYBRID inks that combine many of the Pros of both. But we'll get to that at another time. LOL!!!! I don't want to overwhelm. :o)

Let me know if you have anymore questions. :o)

Check out this post for Copic ink comparisons: 

http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/in_touch/2009/05/best-inks-to-use-with-copic-markers-by-sharon-harnist-draft.html

Quoting lapizz:

oh wow - so you should use this type of ink with copics?

They work nicer (than other types) on detailed stamps?

Is staz-on a dye or pigment?