Why two Black Ink Pads?

Why are there two Black ink pads, is one better than the other?

Good question and I know that many of you who are new to stamping are asking  this question.

The two Black Stamp pads that Stampin’ Up! retail are StazOn Jet Black and Memento Tuxedo. Both are very different and are used for different techniques.

 

Let’s start with Stazon Jet Black 101406 and Refill 102566 this is a permanent archival ink, and is for stamping images which are coloured using watercolour techniques.

   

StazOn can be used on many different surfaces such as..Plastic, metal, shrink plastic, rubber, leather, polymer clay, laminated paper, coated paper, uncoated paper, photo, glass, porcelain, terracotta, cellophane.and works well on the Stampin’ Up! Window sheets…I always recommend doing a test before using on anything new.

The drying time when using Stazon is 3 seconds for porous surfaces – 5 minutes  for non porous surfaces. Drying time varies based on surface / material, humidity, etc.

Stazon is a ‘Solvent Ink’ which means it is not made from a water base. Solvent inks are permanent and don’t require heat setting to achieve permanency. Most solvent inks are acid-free and archival. 

Hints and Tips…

• Replace inner plastic cover and cover immediately after use. Exposure to air will cause the ink in the pad to dry out. I put a Glue dot on the lid to hold the inner plastic in place so I don’t get inky fingers when taking it on and off.
• Clean stamps immediately after use with StazOn Cleaner 109196. It can stain your stamps. StazOn cleaner is not recommended to use on your Photopolymer stamps as it may damage the polymer. Clean your Photopolymer with Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner 102394 the stazOn will stain the stamp…but its still usable.

 

So what about the Memento Tuxedo Black 132708 and Refill 133456. Memento is a water-based, acid free ink and fade-resistant.

Memento Ink is required when using Stampin’ Blends. It is also a good general ink pad for all other stamping as you will get a good clear image.

  

It can be used on coated paper, vellum, uncoated paper, printer paper. As before I always recommend doing a test before using on anything new.

Drying time is 3 to 5 seconds on coated paper. Virtually instant on uncoated papers. Varies based on surface / material, humidity, etc.

Memento is easy to clean from your stamps using the Stampin Scrub 126200 and Stampin’ Mist Stamp Cleaner 102394 or with the NEW Simply Shammy 147042

 

So back to our question –

Why two Black Stamp pads?

There are two Black stamp pads because they are for two separate techniques..Watercolour and Alcohol markers-Blends.

Its a case of opposites attract….

Watercolour + StazOn (Solvent ink)

Stampin’ Blends (Alcohol Markers) + Memento (waterbase)

Is one better than the other?

This is a very simple answer I think….NO.

Sometimes when someone says they like one over the other its a personal preference. Yes they look different but that’s because they are too different inks and have two very different qualities.

Should you buy both, again simple answer …YES.

Especially if you want to do both watercolour and use the Stampin’ Blends

 

Please note that some of the information obtained above comes from the manufacturer and other web pages.

Thanks for taking the time to read my Blog post. I hope this helps you when deciding on what Black Ink you require when going through your Stampin’ Up! Catalogue. If you have any questions just leave me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.