A question that I am frequently asked--What is the difference between the Classic inks and the Craft inks?
In the Stampin' Up! product line, the
Classic ink is a dye ink and the Craft ink is a pigment ink. There are several differences between dye ink and pigment ink.
When you attend my workshop and classes, we will typically use Classic ink (dye ink) because it dries so quickly. The dye ink is absorbed into the paper and dries quickly, where pigment ink sits on top of the paper and is not absorbed and needs time to dry.
Pigment ink tends to be thicker than dye ink and is often preferred for scrapbooking because pigment inks are more resistant to fading than most dye inks. (However, some dye inks are specifically formulated for use in scrapbooks.)
Because dye ink is water based, it will smear if you get it wet. If you want to watercolor a line image use a permanent ink like the StazOn Ink Pads, emboss the image or use pigment ink once it has dried.
Drying Time
Pigment ink, by nature, dries more slowly than dye inks. You can heat-set the pigment inks to speed drying time or set them aside to dry. After heat-setting, pigment inks will resist all but the most deliberate efforts to smear them (such as wetting your finger and rubbing the ink). If you live in a humid area, you will want to heat-set the inks, because air-drying time increases as humidity increases. Heat-setting and air-drying produce the same color results. When heat-setting, be careful of heating too long, which may cause a scorched look.
Embossing
Because of the longer drying time for Craft Ink (pigment), you have time to apply your embossing powder without rushing; therefore, the Craft pads are an excellent choice for embossing.
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