Rubber Stamping - Metallic Ink Pad Or Metallic Embossing Powder - Benefits and Limitations of Each

Embossing Powderwithout smudging. The metallic powder in these inks
Thermal Embossing Powder comes in metallic andhas tended to dry the ink pads out quickly and
nonmetallic colors. It is an enamel that is crushed intofrustrated customers and manufacturers. Most of the
powder form and when it is heated it melts into aearly brands have been discontinued or are hard to
liquid enamel. This is used with slow drying stamp inksfind because retailers encountered customer
like pigment ink or inks made especially for embossingdissatisfaction. The only one readily available at the
called embossing ink.time this article was written is by Tsukineko: Stazon
Metallic Ink Pad Kit. It does not need to be heat set
Metallic Pigment Ink Padsso is great for use in most paper crafting, especially
Some artists feel that all pigment inks should befor stamping on acetate or other plastic surfaces
embossed regardless of the surface it is being usedthat may not heat well. Unfortunately, this ink can be
on. The base of the ink is generally glycerin whichscraped away with too much handling of the finished
doesn't ever really dry completely. When used onartwork.
non-coated card stock, the glycerin generally absorbsTsukineko also makes a pearlescent Pad called
into the paper and the remaining pigment is fairlyBrilliance Ink Pads. That line does offer some metallic
stable. It can still smudge if the item is going becolors and will dry on most surfaces with heat setting
handled a lot. That being said, many stamp artistsbut will not dry on metal. It is ideal for stamping on
enjoy using metallic pigment inks on non-coated cardvellum, or coated cardstock and will dry on plastic if
stock without feeling the need to emboss it.the plastic can be heated.
Metallic Hybrid Ink PadsWood and Fabric
Since 2008 several rubber stamp pad manufacturersThe options we've provided above will not work well
have been working on a formula for an ink pad thaton wood, especially, coated wood or fabric.
can be used on both porous and non-porous surfaces