Here’s another post inspired by the “which one is best?” question. I like to stamp images on fabric postcards, art quilts, and even ribbon for paper crafting. So I got to wondering which stamp pad would work best on fabric (providing a nice, clear image) and which, if any, would survive a washing.
The contenders in this comparison are:
- A. Inkadinkado Dye Stamp Pad
- B. Archival Brilliance Dew Drop by Tsukineko
- C. VersaMagic Dew Drop
- D. India Ink Black
- E. Ancient Page by ClearSnap
- F. Memento by Tsukineko
- G. Archival Ink by Ranger
- H. VersaCraft
- I. Staz On by Tsukineko
- J. Distress Inks by Ranger
- K. Color Box by ClearSnap
- L. Powder Puff Chalk Pad by QuickQuotes
Using the same bee stamp by Anita’s Inque Boutique, I stamped each pad on a piece of 100% quilters’ cotton (ivory.) Use the alphabet chart above to reference what ink is which.
After looking at all the samples in natural light, I thought the stamp pad inks that provided the sharpest details and the least amount of bleeding included H) VersaCraft, K) Colorbox, and L) PowderPuff.
However, I note in the photos that J) Distress Ink also looks great!
Then I pressed the fabric with a hot, dry, iron to “set” the inks a bit….and then ran it through a warm water wash, and cold rinse using regular detergent and fabric softener. How did they hold up? Well, take a look:
After warm-water wash.
After warm-water wash.
There was only one disappointment- the A) Inkadinkado sample washed right off. Also, the J) Distress Ink faded quite a bit.
Amazingly, the rest of the stamp pads faired very well! I’d have to say that the H) VersaCraft pad- which is labeled for wood, fabric, and paper- was the clear winner- still sharp and vibrant after the wash.
But as you can see, many of stamp pads you probably already have in your craft box- like the Archival Ink pad, Staz On, or Brilliance Ink pads- will also do double-duty on wearable fabric crafts!
There you have it- stamp on with your crafty fabric selves!
September 21, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Jenny, I think you must be telephathic – I want to stamp on a cotton apron and have been thinking over the last couple days about what inkpads I should use – so thankyou for this and I’ll give it a try
Debz
xx
September 21, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Great comparison! One hint is to always pre-wash with no fabric softener. Stamping with acrylic paint is great, too.
September 21, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Wow – I’m actually surprised so many of them did so well! LOL I am very surprised there was any Distress Ink left at all – given that it’s a water-reactive ink. Distress Inks always bleed when I use them on paper and put water over the top – even if they’ve been heat set. I never would have thought to try it on fabric…but I kind of like the washed out look, and it might be fun to layer it with a more permanent ink…so now I’m wondering…would it continue to wash out, or do you think it would stay put after the first washing? Hmm…
October 1, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Wow, thanks so much for doing this. I’ve always wondered of all the stamp pads, which would be the best for most media I would want to stamp on. As far as washing before and after, I think the main point was made to show us which held up the best on fabric after washing and even with fabric softner. Most sewers/crafters know to wash fabric before using : )
February 4, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I am just getting into the hobby of creating gauze/muslin baby wraps, washcloths and burp cloths, what a great comparison as I went to my local craft store who stated they weren’t sure why ink would work on fabrics without bleeding. This is great!!
August 23, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Super helpful – we’re about to stamp 200 wedding napkins. Looks like we’ll be going with VersaCraft!
August 24, 2012 at 10:53 am
Glad it was helpful to you- and congrats on your wedding! : )
August 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Thanks so very much for this information! We’re about to stamp 500 muslin bags for our Field Trips in a Box and were looking for the best fabric stamp pad. Am about to order right now!
November 3, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Thank you for doing all this work. I ordered a versacraft pad and have successfully printed on muslin without it washing out. It looks very nice.
December 10, 2012 at 6:50 pm
THANK YOU for this comparison test! I was set to invest in some VersaCraft pads but am finding that they’re less and less available (if not actually Discontinued(?)) .. I have read that the VersaMagic pads are replacing the VersaCraft pads and are allegedly as good in terms of opacity and surviving washing – I see that you used the VersaMagic dewdrop (stamp “C”) but in both initial stamping and post-wash it seems significantly Less crisp than the VersaCraft stamp (stamp “H”) – would you agree with this (or am i confusing a not-true-black-color initial stamping with actual opacity both pre and post wash)?
February 19, 2013 at 4:02 pm
THANK YOU. I’ve been looking for an answer to his question forever. Yeesh. Totally appreciate your post.
March 8, 2013 at 6:38 pm
You have just saved the day. Thanks so much for this post – I have been hunting and hunting for economical self-printing solutions for fabric and this hits the nail on the head. Thank you!
April 1, 2013 at 11:27 am
I’d be interested to know what inks lasted after many washings, nit just one.
May 17, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Thank you for this great info! I’m using VersaCraft to stamp some drawstring bags and decided to search and see if that was the best thing to use and it looks like it is!
June 5, 2013 at 10:39 pm
I tried using the Versacraft with a stamp on a cotton napkin and it’s coming out really light? Is there any way to get it darker?
June 6, 2013 at 10:49 am
Lisa- it’s hard to help you troubleshoot without seeing your stamp and results so far. Maybe post a pic on our FB page? Could be that the stamp you are using is not bold enough, or that you need to re-ink the stamp pad. Good luck!