Ink Selector - Helping you pick the right ink for your surface

Standard Paper (absorbent)

Standard paper is probably the easiest surface to stamp. The ink dries once absorbed. Different types/grades of paper have different absorbency levels, therefore results can vary.

All of our ready-inked Self-inking and Pre-inked Stamps will work on standard paper. Our Ink Pads for use with Traditional Rubber Stamps will work OK too.

Drying time can vary between 5 to 20 seconds (depending on the paper absorbency).

Glossy Paper

Glossy Paper has a coating that prevents most or all of the ink from being absorbed. So whilst a water-based ink may partial dry after a few hours, it’s unlikely to completely dry.

Therefore, you will require a solvent-based ink. If the paper has some level of absorbency the ink will dry faster, but even the glossiest of papers can be stamped!

Suggested inks:

• X2 – for use with Traditional Rubber Stamps when used with a DRY FELT ink pad. Drying time: 2-3 minutes.

• 007 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-5 minutes. Technically this isn’t a solvent-based ink. However, its special pigment formula means it behaves similarly to solvent-based inks.

• P191 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-3 minutes

• P196 - for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 10-20 seconds.

All of these inks are available with a reactivating solvent. This is used to reactivate ink that has dried on the stamp pad. See our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/D9T_StGfIRY

Plastic

Plastic will require solvent-based ink. Depending on the type of plastic we have several options.

Suggested inks:

• X2 – for use with Traditional Rubber Stamps when used with a DRY FELT ink pad. Drying time: 2-3 minutes.

• 007 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-5 minutes. NB. Technically this isn’t a solvent-based ink. However, its special pigment formula means it behaves similarly to solvent-based inks.

• P191 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-3 minutes. NOT suitable for PE or PP plastics 

• P196 - for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 10-20 seconds.

All of these inks are available with a reactivating solvent. This is used to reactivate ink that has dried on the stamp pad. See our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/D9T_StGfIRY

Metal

Metal will require a solvent-based ink.

Suggested inks:

• X2 – for use with Traditional Rubber Stamps when used with a DRY FELT ink pad. Drying time: 2-3 minutes.

• 007 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-5 minutes. NB. Technically this isn’t a solvent-based ink. However, its special pigment formula means it behaves similarly to solvent-based inks.

• P191 – for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 2-3 minutes 

• P196 - for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 10-20 seconds 

All of these inks are available with a reactivating solvent. This is used to reactivate ink that has dried on the stamp pad. See our YouTube video: https://youtu.be/D9T_StGfIRY

Glass

Glass will require a solvent-based ink.

Suggested ink:

• P196 - for use with Self-inking Stamps (fitted with a DRY FELT ink pad).  Drying time: 10-20 seconds.