Wanna chat about the Stazon?

A lot of notice was paid to my desk a couple of WOYWW's ago - I was using my newest investment - a metallic Stazon ink pad. It was what I would call a 'considered' purchase. I have longed for a metallic fast drying ink and this seemed to be the answer. Of course, the Brilliance ink pad range is well, brilliant, but they don't have the depth of colour that a true metallic pigment ink has, and so the Stazon seemed to be the only way to go. The most considered part of the purchase is the price, it retails at a price that makes you think you can live without it - just under a tenner, which is a lot of money. I don't mind telling you that I've approached the shelf several times and then 'changed' my mind because I wanted more to show for my money. Anyway I realised no-one was going to buy it for me, so I plunged. And I'm glad I did. It comes with an ink bottle as part of the package. This isn't a re-inker per se, the pad is dry and you need to add a couple of drops and use the included spatula to spread it across the sponge. It drags, it is definitely thicker and stickier than a glycerine based pigment ink, and without the plastic guard and some attention, it evaporates fairly quickly. I've been pretty mean and learned quickly when the pad needs re-inking. The bottle needs a really good shake. The stamp becomes 'sticky' and ink doesn't adhere to the card if the pad is allowed to become too dry. I had trouble with a direct to paper technique - in as much as I felt it was a huge waste of ink, specially if I decided to use a 'third party' - the sponge.

Having said all of that - it is permanent, and it is a great colour - as good as a metallic pigment for shine. I'm pleased with it, and will definitely be buying the gold too. But I think for me, it's a stamping tool and not an inking thing.

The toppest tip I can extend though - and I know you'll remember it because this is unusual coming from me: clean your stamps as you go. Doesn't need Stazon cleaner if it's immediate, a baby wipe or such will do. If you're using clear stamps, clean the blocks immediately. I have a small block soaking in stazon cleaner - we used it at a workshop on Thursday and I didn't unpack and put away until Friday evening - I think it's a silver block now - scraping with a knife and scrubbing with Cif hasn't helped! It may flake off in further use - I will report back!