Ink pad sizes

From: rscarpen (RiskyNil@pocketmail.com) | Date: 2003-10-22 01:16:42 UTC

It's shocking, the number of e-mails I got about my off-the-cuff
comment about large ink pads being a "newbie mistake". The
surprising thing (for me, at least!), is that it seems to be a
common "pro mistake" too with people asking me why one would want a
smaller ink pad size--even those that are well-established in the
world of letterboxing!

First, it's a trivial issue, which is why I never even bothered to
mention it on the Newbie FAQ page of my website. One can live a very
happy letterboxing career without ever using an ink pad smaller than
the size of a small car. It's not a very good page, I admit, but I
didn't have a digital camera or scanner available to add pictures
that could have made it easier to understand and follow along with.
(Someday I *WILL* update it with lots and lots of pictures, though!)

But there are advantages to using smaller ink pads--especially if you
like to stamp with lots of colors. I do have a webpage, Stamping
With Style, at http://www.geocities.com/rscarpen/Lb/Stamping that
discusses several stamping techniques where smaller ink pads are
easier to work with.

But there's also other reasons I like small ink pads. They're small
and lightweight--a critical factor if you ever decide to do something
like, perhaps, thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. =) Okay, not a
factor most of you have to consider, but there is something to be
said for smaller and lighter regardless of the length of the hike.

And with smaller ink pads, you can carry a wider variety of colors to
really make that stamp come out perfect and color coordinated.

But I know more than one very experienced letterboxer that's happy
with carrying around a single color and using that for everything.
(Even those that know about the alternatives.) If you like carrying
around just one, simple color, by all means--do so! I wasn't trying
to talk anyone out of it! =)

But just like there's an art to carving a stamp, there's also an art
to stamping one. The beauty of this hobby is that you can take it as
far as YOU want to. Carpe diem! =)

-- Ryan

Re: Ink pad sizes

From: ndnboxing (ndnboxing@yahoo.com) | Date: 2003-10-22 11:35:48 UTC

> But there are advantages to using smaller ink pads--especially if you
> like to stamp with lots of colors.
> But there's also other reasons I like small ink pads. They're small
> and lightweight--a critical factor

>you can carry a wider variety of colors to
> really make that stamp come out perfect and color coordinated.

I couldn't agree more. As a matter of fact, I've quit using ink pads
altogether. I carry around a zippered pouch full of crayola markers.
It is lightweight, organized, and lets me choose from a rainbow of
colors. Plus, by painting the colors onto the stamp, I avoid the
gunked residue of ink from an ink pad and never have the problem of
over-inking the stamp.
Of course, everyone has their own way of doing things. Just thought I
share mine. If you would like to see the crayola pack I use, go to
http://www.crayola.com/store/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=6459630&St=9310&St2=-67649882&St3=-62254273&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=171&DID=6
Thanks for listening,
Mark

Re: [LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes

From: Steve S. (kerjin@myndworx.com) | Date: 2003-10-22 08:53:11 UTC-07:00

That's what we have also changed over to, cept we only use the 8 color set for right now.... It was a godsend when we were turned on to them.. The ink we were using 'stained' the stamps we were carving when we did our test prints and I really didn't like that. Then we get the washable makers and away we went! However, I do see a downside to this in the fact that I am sure that the color will run in a logbook when it gets wet. I do like the ability to use multiple colors on a stamp though, the World Reunion Tour stamp we made looks so kewl when colored in 3 colors instead of one and we are also able to get a more even coverage with the washable pens. Plus, the weight of them is insignificant in the back pack.

Always looking, learning and experimenting,

Steve of Rayvenhaus
"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"
The PNWLb Website - http://www.myndworx.com
(Whose sig can be seen at http://www.myndworx.com/rayvenhaus )

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes

From: Steve S. (kerjin@myndworx.com) | Date: 2003-10-22 15:43:15 UTC-07:00

We got a "stamp cleaner kit' to start with, but it appears that it is the same composition as Windex. So, we take a small spray bottle of Windex and a rag with us in the backpack and, yes, we clean, as well as we can, the stamp before we color it. Yes, sometimes the previous ink has come off on the marker and we are forced to replace it, but, all in all, we're happy with it. And, best of all, after we are done stamping, the ink washes off with the Windex and it appears as if it was never there! (grin) I certainly like that.

Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: Fisher & family
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes

Do you have any problems with the old ink that is already on the stamp, coming off onto your marker and discoloring the image you were trying to get?

If you clean the stamp first what is the best method you've found?

I found a letterbox with a marker in it. I thought it was a bit odd (being a newbie and all) but I liked how it turned out just fine.

Fisher
That's what we have also changed over to, cept we only use the 8 color set for right now....

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes

From: sandymess (sandymess@yahoo.com) | Date: 2003-10-23 00:27:59 UTC

AS a long time rubber stamper, I use baby wipes. They are easy to
carry and do an excellent job. They do not tend ot dry out the
stamps. Purple Iris

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Steve S." wrote:
> We got a "stamp cleaner kit' to start with, but it appears that it
is the same composition as Windex. So, we take a small spray bottle
of Windex and a rag with us in the backpack and, yes, we clean, as
well as we can, the stamp before we color it. Yes, sometimes the
previous ink has come off on the marker and we are forced to replace
it, but, all in all, we're happy with it. And, best of all, after we
are done stamping, the ink washes off with the Windex and it appears
as if it was never there! (grin) I certainly like that.
>
> Steve
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Fisher & family
> To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 3:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes
>
>
> Do you have any problems with the old ink that is already on the
stamp, coming off onto your marker and discoloring the image you were
trying to get?
>
> If you clean the stamp first what is the best method you've
found?
>
> I found a letterbox with a marker in it. I thought it was a bit
odd (being a newbie and all) but I liked how it turned out just fine.
>
> Fisher
> That's what we have also changed over to, cept we only use the
8 color set for right now....
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [LbNA] Re: Ink pad sizes

From: (DSNFEET@aol.com) | Date: 2003-10-22 20:30:19 UTC-04:00

FYI
The watercolor markers do fade with time. It may not be an issue for you
until the images fade away and are gone.
Dancin' Feet