Battle of the Black Inks: Using Stampin’ Up! Whisper White
Last week, Amy left me this comment:
I’m glad you specified the paper you used. Each company tends to formulate their inks to work best with their paper. I know that Stampin’ Up has ink designed to work with their ultra smooth cardstock and real rubber stamps while Close to My Heart makes ink that works better with acrylic stamps and their type of paper.
And you know, Amy has a great point! So I wanted to share with you the same inks on Stampin’ Up! Whisper White paper. I don’t have CTMH so I can’t show you that.
Now, before I go on, I feel compelled to explain a little about Whisper White for those who haven’t used it. Whisper White has an ultra smooth finish to it that makes it a little different than other papers. The finish effects the way different inks absorb into it. For this reason, it is very important that you test your inks on your paper first.
In fact, I recommend that you make yourself an artist book or folder. Inside, you can keep swatches of paper and ink samples like you’ve seen me make this past two weeks. Make sure you write which paper and ink you are using. Make any notes you want. Then, later, you’ll have it to refer to when you need it! This works great for Copic color combinations too. And ink combinations, and…and…and… (you get the idea!)
One more note. Dye inks absorb into paper better than pigment inks. Pigment inks are designed to sit on top of the paper. Keep this in mind with the Stampin’ Up! Whisper White. You’ll notice how the pigment inks are a little harder to work with on this ultra smooth finish.
Let’s look closely:
This is StazOn.
When I use Whisper White, I always use StazOn. I get a clean crisp image the first time I stamp!
StazOn is a solvent ink designed for use on non-porous surfaces. It works really well on paper!
StazOn gets my vote for the best ink to use on Stampin’ Up! Whisper White.
The first column in the next two pictures is Brilliance. There are some light smudges in the picture. Brilliance is a pigment ink so this really isn’t surprising. If you even slightly rock your stamp, you’ll smear the ink.
The second column is Versafine. It really smeared on my first attempt!!
So, I decided to try again…more carefully this time…
On the second try, the Brilliance did a good job. I just have to be very careful when I stamp. The trick is not pushing too hard.
The Versafine was much better too using this same technique. However, when I was writing, I got my hand in the ink and smeared it. This is a perfect example of the pigment ink needing to be heat set or given longer time to dry. Aside from my mistake with the Versafine, it is a good ink if you are patient. Same with the Brilliance.
Here, we are only looking at the right column which is Stampin’ Up! Basic Black ink.
The Stampin’ Up! ink really did a great job. I’m not sure why or how I tend to skip spots with my SU black ink, but I do. However, the lines are crisp and clean.
This is my second attempt with the SU! ink and I skipped again. Besides the skipping issue, the ink is great.
Winner: Stazon.
First Runner Up: Stampin’ Up!
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What a great post! I love that you’re doing these product post because you’re providing such useful information! Thank you for taking the time to do all of this!
Julie´s last blog ..Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge 37– A Little Romance
Wow! Thanks for this tutorial! I have the Whisper White from SU and rarely do I use it. Maybe this will get me to pull it out. Thanks for your comment on my blog !
Isn’t it funny..When I was playing with my friend Sharon’s (she is a SU demonstrator) Stampin’Up stamps and because we were making cards for her folder and had to use all her paper I found the exact same thing when I used my Versafine ink, it smudged…And I promptly told her I didn’t like her paper….Didn’t occur to me to change my ink derrr!! Thanks Tonya…Now I know to use my black Stazon instead! Xx
Donna´s last blog ..Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #37…A Little Romance
I find that Momento ink works well with SU paper too. Thanks for sharing your findings with us
Jamee´s last blog ..TTIC #37 A Little Romance
You’re so sweet for doing this! Thanks so much!
This is a great post Tonya! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I often wonder when I am stamping- what is the better product to use. I find taking time to test ink, paper, emboss powder, etc. before putting it on the final card is best. (I don’t always do this…and then sometimes pay the price!)
I LOVE the smell of stazon- as well!
Eve´s last blog ..Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #37………
Tonya Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 10:13 am
@Eve, Did I mention in my post about my love of the StazOn smell?? I LOVE it too!!!
Beth Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 am
@Tonya, Smells like almonds!
GREAT POST, btw!!
Beth´s last blog ..TTIC36 ~ What Says Twilight to You?
SO I have a question regarding Staz On. When I use it I often get splotchy images where the ink hasn’t taken well or it is sticky when I apply to the paper. I really have to ink it up and look at it to make sure I am going to get a good image….it is so much work! I have reinked and more. Do you think it is because my staz on is old? Should I just get a new pad? Does anyone else have this problem??? Thanks for the great demos! Deidre
Deidre Mooney´s last blog ..It’s Official!
I love your idea about the artists notebook. It’s so nice of you to take the time to show us the diffence in all these products. I really appreciate the time it takes you to create and post all this info.
Thanks,
Amy