A special thanks to Heather Binnie for posting this information in our forums. If you are interested, see the original post.
Pat just brought in all that Tsukineko ink and I wanted to share what I knew about it.
Versafine
In my opinion, this is one of the best ink pads out there. It’s perfect for full coverage of your thickest fonts yet it still makes crisp images from your fine, detailed stamps.
Black and brown Versafine pads are my main ink pad. If I’m going to color in an image, I use the Versafine. After it dries, it is waterproof and I can color in images with markers or my personal favorite, watercolor pencils and a Dove blender.
I have used the same Versafine pad for years without ever needing to re-ink the pad.
Other colors of Versafine are perfect for making sharp, bold images.
The thing to remember about Versafine is that it does not dry on glossy surfaces without being set with heat (embossing gun). You probably don’t want to use it on your pictures.
Versamagic/Chalk Ink
It’s hard to describe chalk ink to someone that has never tried it before. It is a soft and smooth, almost silky, ink.
I love to use it on Technique Tuesday’s cream colored chipboard. I just simply wipe the ink pad over the top. The ink is so smooth that you will always get even color. The more you use, the darker it gets. Make the edges of your chipboard darker to have it stand off your page. If you’ve ever tried to use any other kind of ink pad to color a surface, you know how difficult it is to get smooth, even coverage.
I do use chalk ink for stamping images, too. Stamping with chalk ink leaves a slightly softer image than with the Versafine pad. Although I can still use this ink for any image or font, my favorite way to use it is for grungy type or soft floral type images. Try softening the image even more by using your finger or a tissue and lightly wiping or dabbing the image right after it’s stamped.
I love the there are so many colors to choose from in this collection. You can also blend colors with the chalk ink. Using the Technique Tuesday chipboards, I have made custom colors by simply using different colors on the same piece (wait until the ink dries first).
Chalk ink is waterproof, too.
Brilliance Ink
The only Brilliance ink I have used is the gold. Like the chalk ink, it is smooth and soft but this ink actually shimmers! It’s so much fun to use.
If someone has experience with this ink, please add it to this thread.
The Essential Glue Pad
Instead of stamping in ink, stamp in glue and add glitter, flocking, embossing powder, foil, etc.
Other glue pads have to be heated before they become sticky. This is a no heat glue and it's so much easier to use.
And added by Pat....
I'll add that we also stocked all sorts of things to daub and smear ink. Check out the Fantastix - sticks with either a round tip (bullet), or a brush tip. Perfect for smearing.
Also check out the daubers. Heather mentioned filling in images. At CHA, the woman at the booth demonstrated creating gorgeous flowers by filling them in with the daubers. Put the dauber on your finger, tap the ink, tap your paper.
