Who doesn’t want to work with ink of a high quality? We supply an extensive assortment of inks based on high-quality ingredients for the best results. You’ll find everything you need for being creative with ink at Vaessen Creative.

Ink can be used for many different applications and with lots of materials. Try using ink for stamping, watercolours, drawing or mixed media. Depending on the type of ink, it can be used on absorbent or porous surfaces such as paper, cardboard, wood, fabric and leather. Some ink types are suitable for use on non-porous surfaces, such as metal, glass and Yupo paper.

The huge assortment of inks can be a bit overwhelming, but we’re happy to help. There are in fact some key differences between the many ink types. Those differences will dictate which surfaces and techniques the ink is suitable for. Simply choose the type of ink from Vaessen Creative that is best suited to what you want to make.

At Vaessen Creative, we distinguish between the following ink types:

Dye ink

Dye ink is ink in which the dye is entirely dissolved in a carrier liquid. Most dye ink is water-based. Once the dye is dissolved, it will not separate from the carrier liquid. Dye ink has the following characteristics:

• The ink is thin, transparent, non-toxic and acid-free;
• Fast-drying;
• The ink may run if it gets wet again;
• The ink is perfect for creating detailed stamps;
• The stamp is less visible on darker paper because the paper absorbs some of the ink;
• We recommend using this ink on porous surfaces (like paper, wood and canvas). For glossy paper, you will need a heat gun to dry the ink out properly and reduce drying time;
• The pad on dye ink stamps is made of felt or foam.

Vaessen Creative has the following dye inks in its collection:

Pigment ink

Pigment inks consist of very fine pigment particles that are suspended and then settle in the solvent. Pigment ink has the following characteristics:

• The ink is non-toxic and acid-free;
• In comparison with dye ink, more colour can be incorporated into pigment ink and so colours remain vivid;
• The stamp is clearly visible on darker paper, because the ink 'sits' on the paper;
• The pad of the stamp is made of foam, with the exception of the StazOn Pigment Ink by Tsukineko, whose pad is made of felt.

Vaessen Creative has the following pigment inks in its collection:

⁠Oxide ink

Oxide ink is a dye ink and pigment ink hybrid. When sprayed with water, an oxidised effect is created. This effect will vary depending on the type of ink and paper colour. Oxide ink has the following characteristics:

• The ink is thick and opaque;
• Dries relatively slowly;
• The ink reacts to water: it oxidises when it comes into contact with water. The ink will then have a chalky appearance and is ideal for watercolours;
• The ink is not permanent and will continue to react whenever it comes into contact with water. As such, it is not water-resistant;
• The ink is suitable for use on cardstock and kraft paper and board, in both light and dark colours;
• The oxide ink can be used in combination with all other Distress products;
• The stamp pad is made from felt.

⁠These characteristics can be found in the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide by Ranger.

Water-based ink

Water-based ink is ink that has been dissolved in water. This ink can bleed if it gets wet again. Water-based ink is absorbed into paper. These characteristics can be found in the following ink lines:

• American Crafts Jane Davenport INKredible Ink
• Darice Ink It Up
• Ranger Adirondack Color Wash
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain
• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tsukineko Delicata
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko VersaColor
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko VersaMagic

Oil-based ink

Oil-based ink is ink that has been dissolved in oil. This property is true of Ranger Archival Ink, Tonic Studios Nuvo Clear Mark, Tsukineko Delicata, Tsukineko VersaFine, Tsukineko VersaFine Clair and Tsukineko VersaMark.

Solvent ink

Solvent ink is solvent-based. This ink type is non-toxic, not water-soluble and is more permanent than pigment ink. Solvent-based ink is colourfast, opaque, smudge-proof and scratch-proof. The basis for this ink is a fast-drying solvent, because of which the ink dries quickly. This type of ink is ideal for use on smooth surfaces as a result. Solvent-based ink is also suitable for scrapbooking and card making purposes. It is suitable for use on slightly porous and non-porous surfaces like metal, aluminium foil, plastic sheet, leather, ceramics and Yupo paper. These characteristics can be found in the following ink lines:

• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Mixatives
• Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
• Tsukineko Brilliance
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko StazOn Metallic

Transparent ink

Transparent or see-through ink is a type of ink through which the background remains visible. By definition, transparent ink is therefore not colourless, even though it falls under the ‘transparent’ category of inks.
Colourless ink is perfect for heat embossing because it leaves no ink visible behind the melted embossing powder. This ink is also perfect for applying watermarks and chalk. Tsukineko VersaMark is a colourless ink. The inks in the following lines contain colour yet are transparent:

• Vaessen Creative Ink
• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Adirondack Color Wash
• Ranger Dylusions Inkspray
• Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain
• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Clear Mark
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko VersaMark

Opaque ink

An opaque ink will cover the surface, though will not necessarily always block it out completely. A black stamp, for instance, will still be visible with an opaque ink applied over the top. The following types of ink are opaque:

• American Crafts Jane Davenport INKredible Ink
• Darice Ink it up
• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Mixatives
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Tsukineko Brilliance
• Tsukineko Delicata
• Tsukineko StazOn Metallic
• Tsukineko StazOn Opaque
• Tsukineko VersaColor
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko VersaFine
• Tsukineko VersaFine Clair
• Tsukineko VersaMagic

Water-resistant ink

The ink layer of water-resistant ink does not dissolve in water. Once dry, stamps stamped in water-resistant ink are watertight, meaning that they cannot be smudged. However, water-resistant does not mean that the ink won’t run, as is the case with waterproof ink. If a product is waterproof, this will be stated explicitly on the product. Water-resistant ink can be layered over, known as ton sur ton. The above characteristics can be found in the following ink lines:

• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Clear Mark
• Tsukineko Brilliance
• Tsukineko Delicata
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko StazOn Metallic
• Tsukineko StazOn Opaque
• Tsukineko VersaColor
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko VersaFine
• Tsukineko VersaFine Clair
• Tsukineko VersaMagic
• Tsukineko VersaMark

Water-reactive ink

Water-reactive means that an oxidised effect is created when the ink is sprayed with water. This can even be done once the ink is dry. By wetting the ink again with water, you can manipulate it more. We have included the following water-reactive ink in our range:

• Vaessen Creative Ink
• Ranger Adirondack Color Wash Textile Dye
• Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain
• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon

Embossing ink

Embossing ink has a long drying time, making it perfect for heat embossing. This ink actually holds embossing powders in place until they are heated with a heat tool. The following ink lines are suitable for embossing:

• Vaessen Creative Ink
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Clear Mark
• Tsukineko Brilliance
• Tsukineko Delicata
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko Versacolor
• Tsukineko Versacraft
• Tsukineko VersaFine Clair
• Tsukineko VersaMagic
• Tsukineko Versamark

Quick-drying ink

A quick-drying ink dries very quickly, within just several seconds. The following ink lines are quick-drying:

• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Mixatives
• Ranger Archival
• Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray
• Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko StazOn Metallic
• Tsukineko VersaColor
• Tsukineko VersaFine
• Tsukineko VersaFine Clair

Porous surfaces

Porous surfaces are surfaces that the ink can seep into. Examples of such surfaces are paper, cardboard, fabric and (untreated) wood. The following ink lines work exceptionally well on porous surfaces:

• Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain
• Ranger Wendy Vecchi Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tsukineko Brilliance
• Tsukineko Delicata
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko VersaColor
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko VersaFine
• Tsukineko VersaMagic
• Tsukineko VersaMark

Non-porous surfaces

Non-porous surfaces, also known as smooth surfaces, are surfaces on which the ink ‘sits’, so to speak. The ink does not seep into the material. Examples of non-porous surfaces are acrylic, cellophane, aluminium, metal, glass, ceramic, shrink plastic and leather. The below ink lines work exceptionally well on non-porous surfaces:

• Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Stain
• Tonic Studios Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad
• Tsukineko StazOn
• Tsukineko StazOn Metallic

Heatset

Heat setting is a means of making ink dry (quicker), making it permanent or in some cases, even waterproof. The treatment is especially useful for pigment ink, with its generally lengthier drying time. This method is particularly recommended when stamping on non-porous surfaces such as glossy paper, as it will prevent your stamps from smudging.

The best way of heat setting your pigment ink is with a heat tool. Our very own Vaessen Creative label heat tools are some examples. A heat tool dries the ink without burning the surface underneath and - in the case of embossing - without blowing away the embossing powder. It is for this last reason that we do not recommend using a hair-dryer.

The temperature of the heat tool must be high enough to vaporise the water-based medium and subsequently set the ink, drying it permanently. To speed up the process, you might consider leaving your stamp to dry out over the course of a day or overnight; the natural evaporation that takes place will expedite the heat setting process. The following ink lines are great for heat setting:

• Vaessen Creative Ink
• Ranger Make Art Blendable Dye Ink
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko Versacraft

Colourfast

If an ink is not colourfast, its colour can be affected by sun exposure. The colour of the ink can fade or become darker due to the effects light has on the pigment, binders and carrier. This ink therefore provides a long-lasting result that holds its colour. The following ink lines are colourfast:

• Ranger Distress Ink
• Ranger Archival Ink
• Tsukineko Memento
• Tsukineko VersaCraft
• Tsukineko VersaMagic
• Tsukineko Radiant Neon
• Tsukineko Versacolor
• Tsukineko VersaFine clair
• Tsukineko VersaFine
• Tsukineko VersaMark
• Tsukineko Brilliance

Handy ink tools

In addition to many different inks, the Vaessen Creative range also encompasses handy tools that make working with ink that bit easier and more fun! Stamping ink is of course ideal for stamping with, but it’s just as good for creating backgrounds or applying layers with. There are multiple ways in which you can use the different ink types, and this is where tools come in handy. We run through the tools for you here.

Stamps

Vaessen Creative has a wide range of stamps, including clear stamps (transparent stamps), cling stamps (rubber stamps), block printing, wooden stamps and roller stamps. Use the stamps with one of our stamping pads. Be sure to shut the box again after use so that the ink doesn’t dry out. Needless to say, we also offer products for cleaning your stamps with, such as Solvent-Based Stamp Cleaner and our own Stamp Cleaner Spray, which goes perfectly hand-in-hand with our stamp cleaner box.

Always stamp onto a firm and flat surface, so that the stamp is stable. Also carefully consider which type of paper you want to stamp onto. Smooth paper will result in an even stamp, while a stamp will be less even if textured paper is used.

Clear stamps are applied onto an acrylic block, which clearly shows you where you are stamping. What's more, clear stamps are made of flexible material, requiring less pressure to produce lovely stamping.

Cling stamps are made from a rigid material and you'll sometimes need to apply some extra pressure when using them. You won’t be able to see exactly where you are stamping with cling stamps, but you will have success on your first stamping attempt. Cling stamps allow you to create a layered, multi-coloured effect by applying different colour inks onto the stamp.

You may find that one stamp alone is not enough to achieve a complete stamp. However, stamping on exactly the same spot twice is practically impossible, and barely ever gives you perfect results. The best way to guarantee a beautifully printed stamp - even if multiple goes are required - is to use a stamping tool. Use our Stamp Easy stamping tool for simple and precise stamping anywhere on your craft piece.

Blending tools

If you are wanting to apply ink directly onto a surface, the best approach is to use a blending tool (ink applicator). A blending tool enables you to take up the ink, apply it to the surface and if needed, blend it. Try the mini blending tool too for smaller areas. We also sell extra foam pads for the regular and mini blending tools. So you can continue enjoying this durable hobby tool for much longer.

Brushes

You can also use brushes when working with ink, particularly with refill bottles or re-inkers. Why not try a re-inker or stain by Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide and set to work with a fine and coarser brush with pony and goat or polyester hair. We also have so-called sponge brushes in our range: brushes with a sponge tip. A sponge brush is ideal for use on larger surfaces, as well as for blending and creating colour gradients.

Stencils

A stencil too is great for applying shapes to your craft pieces with ink. This handy tool - sometimes referred to as a template - is very popular for papercraft hobbies such as scrapbooking and card making. But stencils are also often used for home decoration projects. Consider lovely murals or furniture decoration, for instance.

Vaessen Creative offers a wide range of stencils suitable for a variety of creative activities. We have subdivided this category to make it easier for you to find the right stencil. The sub-categories are as follows:

• small: smaller than 10cm x 10cm
• medium: between 10cm x 10cm and 20cm x 20cm
• large: between 20cm x 20cm and 30cm x 30cm
• extra-large: larger than 30cm x 30cm
• Border stencil

A simple way to hold the stencil in place is to use washi tape. This will help you produce the perfect design. For an extra special effect, try using a stencil in combination with a stamp. This will add lovely structure to the stencil design.

Gel Press

Gel Press printing plates work brilliantly in combination with the Distress Oxide Ink by Ranger. Work with different colours and choose various stencils to create striking prints. A paint roller or brayer distributes the ink over the printing plate. Gel Press products are the ideal choice for a wide range of creations: scrapbook pages, project life cards, homemade greetings cards, mixed-media projects, labels and more!

Other tools

Vaessen Creative has even more handy tools for working with ink. The Brayer ink roller by Ranger is a rubber paint roller for applying ink onto stamps, block printing or applying directly onto the surface of your craft pieces.

Use an ink palette or mixing tray for mixing ink whilst you’re crafting. Spray bottles are perfect for when you need to spray or thin out ink with water. For watercolours, you can also use a brush pen, sometimes referred to as an aqua brush or water brush. You can view all of our other ink tools on our website.

Also watch our videos on Youtube:

• All About Ink