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Post by janamke on Feb 6, 2020 17:20:43 GMT
I'm looking to invest in several (15-20ish) colors of dye ink cubes. Mostly this is for project life and stamping on scrapbook layouts. I want minis to keep them portable and affordable.
There are so many brands out there, any suggestions?
Gina K (love that I can buy them individually)
Alt E New (not sure I want 6 shades of same color)
Pinkfresh - Can't find them in stock anywhere
Simon Says Stamp
Hero Arts
Lawn Fawn
Any tried and true suggestions?
I do have most of the Oxide inks which I love for stamping, but I feel like those colors just do not work all of the time.
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Post by cbet on Feb 6, 2020 19:03:59 GMT
I have the Gina K in all the colors and I really like them. I also like that the sets aren't shades of the same color, but more like seasonal shades of the rainbow  I also like her black amalgam inks for outlines and sentiments. I like the cubes enough that I'm planning on getting all the full-size pads as well. |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,955
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Feb 6, 2020 19:50:10 GMT
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,508
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Feb 6, 2020 21:04:31 GMT
I have GinaK, MFT, LF, and Hero Arts in the mini's. I like and use and would recommend all of them.
That said I usually start looking for the color I want in my GinaK inks before checking the others.
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Post by wendifful on Feb 6, 2020 23:50:48 GMT
I've used the Papertrey Ink cubes for a long time and am happy with them. I especially like the price point ($2 is quite a good deal for a premium ink brand), that you can buy them individually and that there's a wide range of color.
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Post by joblackford on Feb 7, 2020 2:14:35 GMT
I want those CP inks! I’ve heard and seen really good things about their inks (vibrant, really great coverage, etc) and I love the colors. I don’t have any colored inks except the oxides and I don’t have much storage space so I have been thinking about a set of minis too. ETA I think the Altenew ones are good if you use lots of layering stamps but it sounds like your purposes are different. |
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ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,086 
Location: Valley of the Sun
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Feb 7, 2020 2:30:38 GMT
I like the Hero Arts colors, but those are the ones that consistently stain my stamps.
Not that it’s that big of a deal, but I’ve figured out that I like looking at my clear stamps and I need to get over it when they get stained. It’s weird, but it is a big mental block to me using some of my clear stamps that I really like.
Bit of a tangent, but hopefully that helps.
The only other ones I have are my old Versamark cubes that are still good. Even after several years and a few moves, about half of them are good as they were when I bought them. Plus, they don’t stain my nice clear stamps.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,451
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Post by scrapnnana on Feb 7, 2020 2:40:17 GMT
I really like Momento tear drop dye ink pads. I recently bought re-inkers from Oozak, so my favorite colors will last for a very, very long time. I had been using CTMH ink pads (which also have re-inkers available), but CTMH ink tends to bleed more when misted. I like to make 3D flowers using Heartfelt Creations stamps, and you have to lightly mist them to shape them. It’s annoying when the ink runs or bleeds. The Momento do better than CTMH in my experience, although even they can bleed, too, if you are too generous with the spray mist. Some flowers seem to need a bit more moisture to shape, so sometimes I prefer to use the Ranger Archival mini ink pads. You can get re-inkers for them, too, I think.
The ability to buy re-inkers is important to me, because it’s a waste to have to throw out an ink pad just because it dries out or runs out of ink.
Do the companies mentioned above have re-inkers, or do you just have to buy a new ink pad?
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Post by anniefb on Feb 7, 2020 2:51:41 GMT
I have quite a few Altenew ink cubes and bought them because I have a lot of layering stamps but it sounds like that might not be a priority for you. Have also heard lots of good things about Gina K inks.
I haven't tried the Stamp Market cubes but have the full size pads and like them a lot. They are firm foam pads (assume the cubes are similar) and give a really nice image.
Concord & 9th also announced new cardstock and inks (including cubes I think) at Creativation and those will be launching soon. I believe they are also using firm foam pads.
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scrappermcg
Junior Member
Posts: 88
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Post by scrappermcg on Feb 7, 2020 3:28:48 GMT
I have Gina K and Altenew ink cubes, got rid of all others. I was getting overwhelmed with too many options. Those two are enough for all my card making!
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Post by janamke on Feb 7, 2020 20:49:48 GMT
I really like Momento tear drop dye ink pads. I recently bought re-inkers from Oozak, so my favorite colors will last for a very, very long time. I had been using CTMH ink pads (which also have re-inkers available), but CTMH ink tends to bleed more when misted. I like to make 3D flowers using Heartfelt Creations stamps, and you have to lightly mist them to shape them. It’s annoying when the ink runs or bleeds. The Momento do better than CTMH in my experience, although even they can bleed, too, if you are too generous with the spray mist. Some flowers seem to need a bit more moisture to shape, so sometimes I prefer to use the Ranger Archival mini ink pads. You can get re-inkers for them, too, I think. The ability to buy re-inkers is important to me, because it’s a waste to have to throw out an ink pad just because it dries out or runs out of ink. Do the companies mentioned above have re-inkers, or do you just have to buy a new ink pad? I actually know I do not want Momento inks, I sold/donated my extensive Momento collection several years ago because I was never happy with the coverage. To splotchy for my liking. I agree with CTMH, I love the coverage but they are almost too juicy. Honestly I haven't even though about reinkers because in 6 years of stamping/scrapbooking I have never once had to replace an ink pad that dried out. I guess I really don't stamp that much. |
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Post by gale w on Feb 8, 2020 2:03:40 GMT
I like Gina K. I started with cubes but then I bought a bunch of the full size. I also have and like altenew cubes.
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clio
Full Member
Posts: 117
Dec 3, 2017 13:07:05 GMT
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Post by clio on Feb 8, 2020 13:37:48 GMT
My favorites are Hero (staining doesn’t bother me) for vibrancy and Altenew for range of color. Have a few of the others that have come in kits etc and rarely use them.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,071
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Post by pinklady on Feb 8, 2020 16:25:25 GMT
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy PaperTrey Ink/Ink to Paper cubes! You will be wasting your money.
I highly recommend Gina K. I have every color and they are awesome.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 9, 2020 23:36:21 GMT
I have Gina K and Altenew ink cubes, got rid of all others. I was getting overwhelmed with too many options. Those two are enough for all my card making! I have done the same, downsized to these two brands |
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Post by janamke on Feb 10, 2020 15:24:24 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions! I ordered 36 of the Gina K cubes last night, and the Tim Holtz tins to store them in last night. Excited to play with my goodies!
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Post by riley on Mar 1, 2020 20:33:37 GMT
I’ve downsized my inks to include mostly Catherine Pooler and Momento. I have tried all the other brands except Gina K dye inks. I didn’t like the amalgams so I decided not to try her dye inks. Sounds like people like them. CP stamps well the first time so I don’t have to use my Misti every time. She hasn’t put her spa collection into minis yet so I had to buy full sized. Her regular collection is very vibrant. I’m now getting rid of my Altenew since I didn’t always want to stamp multiple times. Same with Lawn Fawn and some Hero Arts. Good luck with Gina K. Sounds like it’s a winner.
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Post by scrapbookmomof4 on Mar 3, 2020 5:26:39 GMT
I’ve downsized my inks to include mostly Catherine Pooler and Momento. I have tried all the other brands except Gina K dye inks. I didn’t like the amalgams so I decided not to try her dye inks. Sounds like people like them. CP stamps well the first time so I don’t have to use my Misti every time. She hasn’t put her spa collection into minis yet so I had to buy full sized. Her regular collection is very vibrant. I’m now getting rid of my Altenew since I didn’t always want to stamp multiple times. Same with Lawn Fawn and some Hero Arts. Good luck with Gina K. Sounds like it’s a winner. Catherine Pooler won't have any more minis coming out. Her ink was made by Colorbox and they are gone now. She might do cubes if she goes with the company The Stamp Market switched to, however, they are the same company that makes Altenew, Hero Arts, Gina K and Lawn Fawn. I have the Gina K ones and some of the Lawn Fawn ones and I really like them. I thought about buying Catherine Pooler's but I used some at a crop and it got all into the cracks of my stamps and stamped a big blob. No detail at all. I think the ink is too thick and stains the stamps a lot, especially the black. |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 4, 2020 2:21:27 GMT
 I love the Prima inks in the little cat eye holders. I don't love that once in a while they fall off the base. I love that they are like little tiny paint cans and can cover chipboard and Thickers perfectly. I have about 50 of them. |
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Post by Jessica on Mar 4, 2020 6:15:12 GMT
View AttachmentI love the Prima inks in the little cat eye holders. I don't love that once in a while they fall off the base. I love that they are like little tiny paint cans and can cover chipboard and Thickers perfectly. I have about 50 of them. Does prima still make their inks? I didn't know they were still available! I loved them for chalking/inking edges. |
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I also like her black amalgam inks for outlines and sentiments. 
