I keep forgetting I get new people coming to my website daily. One of the frequently asked questions I get is about the ink pads I sell on my website.
Versa Craft Ink and Reinkers
I only sell Versa Craft ink pads. The ink is PERMANENT, it won’t wash out, won’t bleed through unless you are using a really thin fabric. WHY PERMANENT? So it won’t bleed when washing your quilt. If it washed out, it would run all over your precious piecing and stain.
The ink is also SAFE for your fabrics. It is “archival” which means it contains no acid. It won’t destroy your stitching thread after years of use.
The second question I often get is that the stamp pad is smaller than some of the stamps. How do you use it?
Simply start on one side of the stamp…
Tap gently on one end.
Keep tapping across the pad to the other end.
Continue tapping across the pad.
When you turn over your stamp, you should have all the lines covered with ink.
Rubber side ready to go!
Now line up the finger holds along the lengthwise grain. (Remember from an earlier blog ALL my stamps are mounted so the lengthwise grain is parallel to the finger holds.)
Place your fabric face down on a craft mat. (available on the website http://cindyblackberg.com/shop/stamping-supplies/craft-mat/ ) Press down firmly and stamp.
REMEMBER to stamp on the BACK side of the fabric!
I do “reink” the stamp every time I stamp. I also “gang up” my stamping to save fabric. I do this by switching the direction of the stamp.
Turn the stamp 180° to “gang up” the shapes.
Your original ink pad should last for a couple quilts without having to refresh it. Do not throw it out or purchase another pad if it starts to dry out. Instead purchase a reinker. Shake the reinker bottle and squirt out a small bead of ink across the pad with the nozzle.
After squeezing out a small bead of ink, blend it into the pad with the nozzle.
Now you are good to stamp for another 100,000 miles! 
Need to clean your stamp? I use a baby wipe or a “Wet One.”
Wipe off the excess ink and dry with a paper towel.
Another question I often receive is “Should I heat set?” No need. I have tested the ink by heat setting and not heat setting. Once it dries (in a couple minutes after stamping) it is permanent.
I hope this helps my “newbies” to understand some of the common questions.
Until next time,
Happy Stamping!