Inks, Part Dos -

With proper care, both stamps and pads can last a long time.

Cleaning Ink from Rubber Stamps
Whenever you use your stamps, you should clean them. Doing so will not only prevent contaminating a future project with an old ink color, but also prolong the life of your stamps.If you are using a stamp repeatedly during one project, you don't need to clean it off between stampings unless you are changing ink colors. Once you have finished using a stamp, however, clean it immediately. Simply stamp off on scrap paper and then wipe the stamp with a baby wipe or damp terry or paper towel.

To get ink out of the crevices of detailed stamps, you can use a cleaning pad or old toothbrush. If you are using permanent, solvent or pigment (especially watermark) inks, you may need to use commercial stamp cleaners to completely remove ink from the stamp. Watermark and glue inks in particular can ruin the rubber if allowed to dry on the stamp.

Please note that there is a difference between a stained stamp and a dirty stamp. Some inks, particularly those that are permanent, can stain rubber. In addition, certain colors (purples, in particular) will stain rubber stamps. Stained rubber really will not affect future stamping projects. However, if you let ink dry on a stamp and then use it, the old ink color can bleed onto both the new ink pad and new project.

One final note regarding commercial stamp cleaners: Using commercial cleaners can actually help condition a stamp's rubber surface. Using bleach or an alcohol-based cleaner on the rubber can ruin it.

Caring for ink pads
There are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want your ink pads to last a long time. First, when you are not using the pad, keep the lid tightly closed. Some pads, like Staz-on and MicaMagic, have interior plastic liners under the lids. Make sure you replace the liner, also, as it is there to keep those pads fresh.

When an ink pad starts to dry out, or when you notice your image is not as crisp as it should be, reink the pad. Every ink manufacturer makes reinkers for their inks. Should you not have the reinker, you can use Perfect Ink Refresher (Ranger), which will give you about 15-20% more usage from the pad. Do not use water! Please note that PIR will not work on solvent-based inks due to the chemical make-up of both products.

Store your ink pads on a flat surface. You do NOT need to store the pads upside down, nor do you have to keep them in the refrigerator. Neither practice will make a difference in the ink's stampability, nor will they really keep the ink closer to the surface.

At times, the adhesive holding the foam or felt pad to the plastic inkpad container deteriorates due to the chemical make-up of the ink itself. All you have to do to re-stick the pad to the plastic case is clean the plastic and cover with a think layer of tacky glue. Replace the pad and let the adhesive dry completely before using.

One final thought
As noted above, certain ink colors (especially purples and some blues) can stain your stamps. Many inks will also stain your hands. Should you not be able to get the ink off of your hands (or face), use shampoo if you don't have a good hand cleaner. Shampoo usually removes most ink stains from the skin easily.