Video: Ink for Beginning Stampers + GIVEAWAY

I am often asked which inks I recommend for new stampers. This is a tough question and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it over the years. And today? I finally have an answer…

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Affiliate links used. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

I consider three things to be important when considering ink for a new stamper: the quality, the colors, and the ease at which you can get good, solid results. Today’s inks are great on all three counts! In my video, I suggest “a collection of beginner inks” that includes Lawn Fawn and Ranger Dye Inks. Both of these inks are new and have impressed me big time.

The Lawn Fawn colors are rich-yet-muted-mid-tones. The Ranger colors are bright-and-primary. Together? A great collection of 20 inks. (I left out black inks from this – was just focusing on the colors.)

Be sure to watch the above video to understand more about these inks and how they work. And *please* remember – there are lots of other inks I love just as much as these! So be sure to watch THIS video about my other favorite inks. For example – I *love* Hero Arts Shadow Inks, WPlus9 Inks, various pigment inks, etc. and use them most. I adore their unique colors. However I felt the inks I share today are a great place to start to get basic colors. Then you can starting adding in the other great ink lines! (The more the merrier, huh?)

Please check above for a comparison between the colors. Keep in mind that every computer screen is different.

By the way, if you would like to better understand the difference between ink types, check out THIS video.

INK SWATCH DOWNLOADS

In the video I show ink swatches for these inks. You can find all of my free Ink Swatch Downloads and a how-to video HERE. (For the Ranger Ink Swatch Download, click HERE. For the Lawn Fawn Ink Swatch Download, click HERE.)

GIVEAWAY

Time to share the inky love! One lucky winner will get a $50 gift certificate (donated by me) to Simon Says Stamp so you can try out any inks you want. For your chance, leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 4/15/15 telling me your favorite type of ink. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. A big thank you to Lawn Fawn and Ranger for these inks. Opinion and review is completely my own.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Lawn Fawn (LF), etc.

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
(SSS | EH | LF)

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( JMink )

 


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1,945 thoughts on “Video: Ink for Beginning Stampers + GIVEAWAY”

  1. I just was.looking at ordering the refills for mft inks….just new to this overwhelming product…..so I will.probably study up on it and I love your style Jennifer so your opinion matters…I use the Memento Tuxedo Black….with my copics (still working on my collection) my goal is to have what I need ….not just feel I need them all! I’m learning so much to this art of card making…..the water coloring …using markers & the colored pencils with the gamsol is one of my favorite ways to color in my stamps. I only wish I had found you b4 I invested the money on the stamps/dies /machines …I currently own 4 cricuts / bigshot pro/ Silhouette Cameo and the cuddlebug…..but these were bought over the yrs I was bed bound and was holding out hope to get out and to be able to craft……my latest has been the big shot pro &,the silhouette cameo and my craft room along with the beautiful cardstock from mftstamps.com……love love that place…..its.orginized and the.colors just make.me HAPPY! So thank you again for your time and efforts that help use Newbys to be better stampers without making costly mistakes!

  2. Hi Jennifer! I have always loved the hero arts inks, but I am just returning to stamping and would love to try the new ones from Lawn Fawn! Thanks for all you do !
    Hugs
    Deborah

  3. I do not have one favorite ink… it´s impossible to have just one line… I choose the colour first and then I start to think where I can use it. I looooove inks – just found that you can colour with inkpad! Awesome!

  4. Dye inks are my favorite. I also like distress inks.
    Thanks for all your great info and videos.
    They are expanding my crafting horizons!

  5. I have used Ranger Dye Inks and Distressed Inks and really like both. I would love to try the Lawn Fawn Inks because of the array of colors. Adding these inks could be the Kaleidoscope of colors for a great collection.

  6. Distress Inks are my most favorite , a few weeks ago I got some lawn fawn inks so I hope they work out!
    Thanks!

  7. As a new person to stamping your videos have be invaluable to understanding
    the many different inks and kinds that are best to use for different kinds of cards.

  8. I like all of the inks that you use because they are so colorful. Since I can’t afford to own everything, I have the mini pad Distress Inks. They are easy to carry to my friends house (we share) and I love all of the available colors. The cost is really affordable.
    Thanks for the informative video. I learn so much from you.

  9. I love Distress inks, Ranger archival inks, Versamark, Memento and so many others!! It all depends on the application. I love the variety of colored inks! Want them all!! 😀

  10. I am new at stamping, so I don’t have favorite inks. I have been using the Tim Holtz mini distress inks – they are very versatile. I also like the Hero Arts inks. Thank you for your very generous give away!

  11. Hi Jennifer!

    Still new to stamping and card making (really love your tutorials) .

    I am partial to dye inks (i have had the best luck so far). I also like the versatility of distressed inks. I can use it for regular stamping purposes or by adding water for a “smooshing”, splotting or general watercoloring effect.

    Generally just looking to build up a good base of colors and your video really helped!

    Best
    -liz

  12. Dye inks are my favorite. Thanks for sharing this in this way. I have a lot of ink but I still find it informative and interesting.

  13. My favorite inks are the small ones like dew drops and tim holtz distress so I can have more colors for less money.

  14. Love you video on types of ink. I’m new to stamping and just bought whatever at craft stores in colors I like. So I don’t have a favorite but I’m sure as I stamp more and watch your videos I will find my favorite too.

  15. Such a great idea, Jennifer! I always get great organization and storage ideas from you. I’ve implemented several with much success, so thank you!

  16. I’m so glad you finally came out with this video…Not so new to stamping, but have always had trouble deciding what inks to get. This will be a great new beginning for me now that I’m ready to invest! Thanks so much, Jennifer!!

  17. I have primarily Stampin’ Up inks, plus some Hero Arts and TH Distressed inks. I really would like to try some other brands. Thank you for your videos. They are SO helpful. I have bought many of the products you recommend and they are indispensable now.

  18. Goodness it is hard to pick just one but I would say it’s a three way tie between Hero Arts Shadow, Distress Ink and my new favorite, Lawn Fawn. I too was über impressed by their new line!

  19. Hi Jennifer,

    I would like to ask what types of cardstock you use when using dye inks? I am using the Nina cardstock and when I used Stampin Up inks, they end up drying blotchy. Whereas in your videos, whenever you use dye inks, they seem to even out on the cardstock you’re using. Please adv!! Thanks.

  20. My fave is black Versafine ink for detailed stamping,but I also own a few mini distress inks,and a Versamark which is fun as you can do so much with it! Great video,thanks for the chance to win a prize!

  21. I don’t have a lot of inks. So far, I love my Versafine (black and grey) for detailed stamping. And I have a few distress inks for inking the edges of patterned papers.

  22. Hey Jennifer,

    First and foremost, I have to thank you for all you have done for me as a new paper crafter. You have taught me so much and as someone else had posted earlier, I wish I had found you sooner because your opinion means a lot to me. I too have already spent a lot of money on inks and unfortunately, I do not have any Lawn Fawn inks. I do however love, love, love Lawn Fawn products, especially their stamps and dies (they have the cutest stamps and the most creative dies).

    I was wondering if you have ever worked with GKD Inks? I have also learned a lot from her and she has a wonderful educational website, as well as SCS.

    For now, I will have to stick with what I have (most for financial reasons) but I will definitely consider the Lawn Fawn inks in the future.

    With respect to Ranger Inks, again, I do not have any but I love the fact that what you stamp is basically what you see. However, I do own a lot of Ranger products and agree that you are never disappointed with respect to quality.

    Thanks again Jennifer for all you have done for me as a crafter, truly! You have been such a huge inspiration to me. Keep up the GREAT work Jennifer and all the best to you and your family.

    PS: Loving your online classes

  23. So many inks to love! I’m really partial to Versamark for a clean line, but Distress Inks are so fun to use for less precise techniques. Thanks for covering more details on inks–sometimes it is hard to retain everything, so it is nice to have your videos to review! Thanks.

  24. Hi, Jennifer

    I use a lot of Memento ink and Tim Holtz distress inks, love the versatility they bring, I have only one SSS ink that came in the last kit for weddings, thought it is a bit dry not very juicy, not sure if it was only this one, are they usually very juicy? do have a collection of Stampin up inks and there pretty good. Hope you had a great vacation.

  25. I love my Versafine ink but have always lamented that there aren’t too many colors. I love that list above and think I will try collecting some of those colors. They are so pretty! And it’s great to have recommendations on what other people like.

  26. I just found you ! I love watching your videos . Thank you so much for teaching and sharing. I don’t really know what inks I like have only used Stampin up and a few distressted. Thanks again , Elaine

  27. I love brights, but I find myself reaching for chalk inks when making cards. I like the opacity. of inks like Colorbok. Old school, I know, but I still like them. Versafine black for sentiments.

  28. I’m new at this. I appreciate that you make it easy to follow and learning the techniques to eventually create my own

  29. Hi Jennifer,
    I am a crafting newbie and just discovered your videos. You rock girl!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your talents with those of us just starting out in crafting. I don’t have a favorite ink yet in that I was overwhelmed to find all of the different kinds of inks/stamps when I went to purchase some. I came home and turned to your wisdom for help in learning about the different types of inks and what works best for the type of stamping I will be doing. You also introduced me to SSS which I absolutely love. I have put almost every stamp on my wish list. I am so excited to get started. Thanks again so much for all you do for fellow crafters…especially us newbies!!

  30. My favorite ink is Versamark *I love to emboss! thanks for a chance to win some more really. I’ve never tried many other brands of ink but basic momento black and just a few small cubes of gina K and the newer distress small ones.

  31. I’ve followed your blog for years, but only now have time to begin/try stamping.
    Would you please consider revising/updating your suggested list of dye inks for beginners (i.e. color recommendations for inks from GinaK, Hero Arts Shadow, Simon Says, Wplus9 – inks that smooth out over time) given the newer inks you’ve tried since this video was made?
    The Lawn Fawn cubes are not available individually, and the Ranger Dye Inks are not carried by as many of the vendors you linked to in this original post.
    (I’d love if you could share products that can be purchased as individual cubes, so my crafts budget can go farther.)
    Thank you!

  32. Inks and Refillers are definitely information that I need to learn more about. I was finally going to get ink that Kevin uses for Stampscapes but they don’t sell them now. They sell the container for ones ink, LOL. Thank you for your knowledge, giveaway, and printable sheet. Please keep doing your videos they have helped me a lot.

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