Ink pads

There are five types of ink pads:

• Dye ink
• Pigment ink
• Hybrid (dye/pigment) ink
• Alcohol ink
• Embossing ink

Prices generally start around $7 per ink pad for a “full size” pad which is generally 2” x 3”.  Mini ink pads cost about half and are generally 1” x 1”, but contain roughly 20% as much ink as a full size ink pad.  Ink pads can be made of a felt pad with linen cover or made of foam.

Dye ink pads are quick-drying.  They can be either water-reactive or non-water-reactive.  One common type of traditional, non-water-reactive dye ink pad is Stampin Up.  The most common type of water-reactive dye ink is Ranger Distress by Tim Holtz.  There are many brands of both types, including Simon Says Stamp, Hero Arts, and Altenew.  

Most stamping is done with dye ink, whether water-reactive or not.  Dye ink should be used for stamping an image to be colored with alcohol ink markers (e.g. Copic).  

Pigment ink pads are slow-drying.  Brands include Versafine (by Tsukineko) and Ranger Archival.

Hybrid ink pads have elements of both dye and pigment.  They can be water-reactive (like Ranger Distress Oxide by Tim Holtz) or non-water-reactive.  There are many brands, although most are non-water-reactive.

Alcohol ink pads are used for non-porous surfaces such as tile or plastic.   The most common brand is Staz-On.

Embossing ink is a clear, sticky ink used for tone-on-tone stamping or embossing.  The most common brand is Versamark.

Pigment, hybrid, alcohol, or embossing ink should be used for stamping an image to be colored with a water medium (e.g. watercolor paint.)  Any sticky, slow-drying ink can be used for embossing, including pigment, hybrid, and embossing ink.