'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday 15 January 2010

Well, here are the disasters – or most of them. I think there must be a Black ink Bermuda Triangle in this house cos I can’t find a Memories, a Memories reinker (found a blank pad) OR a Versamagic Black! Need to restock, I think I’ve given them away…

Anyway, I digress – sorry :( I listened to your advice and here’s what happened.

first archival stamping First Archival stamping (brand new inkpad) which was beautifully clear and a full image, followed by more Archival – gradually deteriorating… all on glossy card or paper.

archival 1 archival

Newly reinked Brilliance Ink on Glossy

brilliance

Adirondack Pigment ink on matte card, then on glossy. This one turned out well.

pigment on matte second archival

Adirondack Pigment ink on Watercolour paper. I held the stamps to the paper for a while, to let the inks transfer but it isn’t perfect.

pigment on watercolour 2

Versafine on Watercolour paper – granted a little more difficult to stamp because of the paint.

Versafine on watercolour

Colorbox Crafter’s Ink over Alcohol inks on Glossy card.

Crafters on AI

I think this one and the Pigment ink are actually my favourites, even if this one isn’t absolutely perfect – the other one I did was better. The only problem is it’s VERY matte and I wanted a glossy finish. Need to experiment more…

8 very kind comments from lovely people:

Lynne K said...

Hi Cath. I find Versafine or Versamagic work well with clear stamps (or any stamp for that matter! They're my two favourite inks.) This may be stating the obvious, but it's worth making sure your clear stamp is really clean before you ink it up. Any little greasy spots, eg. finger prints, will not take the ink. Also, have you tried using a brayer to apply the ink, as it may give a more even coverage? If all else fails, though, like others have mentioned I will resort to going over the image with a Sharpie or Promarker!

I do like clear stamps, mainly because you can so easily see where you're stamping with them, but also because as you say, there are so many beautiful designs.

cornishmist - thats me ju x said...

Hi, have you tried dusting your card with an anti static cloth first it may make the difference worth a try ju x

Unknown said...

I admire you for all your research, they all look nice to me. I will let you finish your experiments - then go and buy the ink pads

Naughty I know!

Lesley Edmonds said...

That's really helpful. Thanks for letting us see your experimenting!
Lesley x

Paul B said...

Great to see all the experiements and work in progress. You are my "go to" when it comes to any advice about inks. What you don't know about inks aint worth knowing as they say haha & its true. Love seeing your work on here. Px

lisa said...

Blimey, you've got so many black inks, I only have two, maybe that's why I struggle.
Thanks for sharing all these, they all look fine to me but I love the effect on the watercolour paper.

Lisax

Anonymous said...

I am experimenting also sometimes... i prefer versafine black ink and the clear embossingpowder over it gives a clear detail.But I guess different people like different things,thats the whole fun about it!
Thanks for sharing your info Katy.

Leah l'Orange said...

i love this idea - i really have no clue what ink is best for my stamping projects, so thank you for showing the different effects!