Related Sponsors

What types of ink are used in Rubber Stamping?

Home » Arts & Crafts » Rubber Stamping » What types of ink are used in Rubber Stamping?

Dye based ink is the most used type of ink in rubber stamping. It is the most affordable ink, and has the added benefit of being water washable. Dye based ink is more likely to bleed in areas of high humidity, but it is the easiest to use. Dye based inks can be purchased at large discount stores, hobby and specialty stores, or from rubber stamp catalogs. Many ink pads are available with matching markers and chalks to better coordinate the colors of your project.

Pigment inks create a higher quality stamped image, but are more expensive to purchase. They are also water washable, but when heat set, will not run or bleed in high humidity.

Metallic inks create stunning, crisp images, but are also more difficult to clean, and since many metallic inks require a petroleum based solvent to completely clean them, many stampers avoid the use of metallic inks with their stamps. Repeated use of solvents and other cleaners can break down the rubber that forms the image and shorten the usable life of the rubber stamp.

Craft paints, fabric paints, and even interior wall paints can be used with rubber stamps if the stamp is cleaned completely with soap and water after use. Dried paint is difficult to remove from the rubber, so it is necessary to do intermittent cleanings during the project to keep paint from collecting in the grooves and outer edges of the rubber stamp.

Next Page: What types of paper are used in Rubber Stamping?

Related Rubber Stamping Articles