How to Use Ink Pads and Brush Pens
Adding colour to your cards, scrapbook layouts and papercraft projects couldn’t be easier with the wide range of ink pads and brush pens available. The broad spectrum of colours and various shapes and sizes of pads and pens make finding the perfect match a breeze.
Ink Pad Stamping
Most crafters know that ink pads are most often used for applying ink to a rubber or foam stamp. Simply hold the ink pad in one hand and hold the stamp in the other (or place the stamp on your work surface if this is easier) and gently tap the pad all over the raised design on the stamp. You will get better results if you bring the ink pad to the stamp rather than the other way round. Once you have inked your stamp, turn it over and stamp your design.
Sepia Style Scrapbook Technique
Direct-to-paper technique involves, as the name suggests, using the ink pad directly on the surface of your paper or card. It is great for adding definition to mats, tags, embellishments, card blanks or layouts. Simply hold the piece you wish to colour in one hand and wipe the ink pad along the edge, sweeping it away from your body. You may need to repeat this a few times, depending on the effect you’re looking for. Have a practice first on a scrap piece of paper or card to get a feel for how hard you need to press, how fast you swipe and what angle to hold the ink pad. This method gives a careworn, distressed look that is especially suited to vintage scrapbook layouts.
Precision Brush Pens
Brush pens are similar to regular felt tip pens in their shape and the range of colours available. However, unlike felt tips, brush pens are usually acid-free and therefore suitable for using on scrapbook layouts. They can be used for colouring in outline stickers, die cuts and such things, and for doodling, either freehand or with a stencil. When used with rubber stamps, however, you can create beautiful multicoloured stamped images. Simply colour your stamping surface with the pens and stamp away! If you are using an intricate design that takes a little while to colour in you may need to gently ‘huff’ on your stamp to reactivate the ink before stamping. Use a fine watercolour brush and a tiny amount of water to draw the colour into the stamped design if desired or leave as it is for a crisp finish.