There has been a LOT of talk in the Stamping Enabler’s Group on Facebook recently about ink pads, which ones we like and don’t like and why so I decided to create a post of my favorite ink brands and explain what I like about them. So if you are in the market for ink pads, hopefully this post will help you narrow down your choices!
I have bought (and sold) a lot of inks since I started stamping and I’ve even thrown some away! I’m not an ink “snob” but I am particular about which inks I buy because I want my inks to stamp crisp, clean and solid! I’ve done some ink brand review videos in the past and I’ll link to those when I get to that particular brand. So in alphabetical order, here are my favorite ink brands for stamping.
Altenew Ink Pads – This is my newest favorite ink pad brand and it was just released recently. It is a water based dye ink and it dries quickly. It stamps crisp, clean and solid just how I like my inks! The colors are limited but they are new so I expect great new colors from this company in the future! Here is a link to my video demonstration and review of these ink pads.
Hero Arts Midtone Shadow Ink Pads – This is a good ink, not my top favorite but good enough that I have a few of them and will buy more if there is a color that I need and don’t have in another brand. They stamp very splotchy but will even out as they dry. You do end up with a nicely stamped image once the ink has had time to dry so you just have to not panic when you first stamp it and it doesn’t look so great!- Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink Pad
– This is my all time favorite white ink pad. It is extremely difficult to find a white ink pad that will stamp solidly and this one does. It is a very opaque ink and shows up on colored cardstock extremely well. It is the best white ink pad around! - Lawn Fawn Ink Pads
– This is a relatively new line of dye inks that are similar to Hero Arts in that it stamps a little splotchy at first but dries evenly and solid. The colors are fabulous and this is one of the inks that I reach for the most when I’m stamping. I really, really love these inks. There were 10 colors released initially and they just released 5 more this week. I’m excited to get the new colors in! Here is a link to my video demonstration and review of these inks. - Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
– This is my all time favorite, and most used ink pad. Memento inks are safe to use with copic markers and I find that I reach for this ink the most. It stamps clean, crisp and solid every time I use it and it’s just an all around good ink! - Memento Luxe Pigment Ink Pads
– Pigment inks sit on top of the paper so they take longer to dry. This allows you to use embossing powder to heat emboss with them. Memento Luxe is my all time favorite pigment ink. I do have other brands like Avery Elle and Mama Elephant but Memento Luxe beats them hands down when it comes to stamping a solid image. If you are looking for pigment ink, Memento Luxe is the one to buy. It comes in 24 colors. - Ranger Dye Ink Pads
– Also a relatively new line of ink, it comes in bright, vivid colors and stamps great every time you use it. It dries instantly and this is one of my top 2 favorite inks because of how well it stamps. As long as you like the colors, you cannot go wrong with this brand of ink pad. Here is a link to my video demonstration and review of these inks. 
Versafine Black Onyx Ink Pad – This is my go to for stamping sentiments in black ink. It is the most crisp, clean ink around for sentiments. It takes a little while to dry so you need to either emboss, heat set it or just wait for it to dry.
Wplus9 Dye Ink Pads – These inks are the same as Hero Arts and Lawn Fawn (same formulation) but the colors are unique and that’s why I love this brand! Here is a link to my video demonstration and review of these inks.
If you have any questions about the inks that I’ve listed here, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I will get back to you asap.
Product List:
Have you tried Gina K ink pads? If so, what did you think of them? Thanks for the great reviews.
I have no tried Gina K ink pads.
These are many of my favorites too. I haven’t tried the Memento Luxe, but it sounds like maybe it’s time I give them a try by all the rave reviews I keep hearing.
I really love them!
The mini altenew inks I bought and used with my beautiful day stamp by altenew stamp blotchy. How do I stop that? Any ideas? I noticed some of your small circles you showed using altenew inks look a little blotchy in areas. Wondering is it the inks or the stamps that causes it? Thanks.
dye ink sometimes stamp blotchy but even out over time. The lighter colors don’t even out as much as the darker colors in my opinion. It depends on your stamp, the paper and the ink itself. Try inking up your stamp with versamark and then your dye inks and then stamping
Have you ever tried Close to my Heart inks and they have both that includes all its colors in pigment too? Thanks for the reviews. I too am a sucker for a Lawn Fawn. There is not one thing I do not love of theirs.
I have and I love how they stamp, however, I dislike the way they open and close so I don’t use them.
Do the Lawn Fawn or Memento ink pads work with clear stamps? I’m looking for permanent fast drying ink that is the richest color possible for clear stamps. I like to make my own wrapping paper and can never find a good red that dries fast AND doesn’t bead up on clear stamps.
Lawn Fawn is my favorite ink hands down. It’s great for clear stamps
If your ink is beading up you may be using acrylic stamps which are not as good quality as polymer.
I realize this is an old post but I too love Ranger dye ink. Was kind of miffed when they didn’t make more colors.