Dye Inks
Ranger Adirondacks - These are one of my favorites due to the rich fall and winter like hues not found in most other ink lines. I use them a lot on things that don't need to be waterproof. I've noticed I use Espresso, Denim, Cranberry & Eggplant the most - rainbows colors also available.
Ranger Archivals - "Manufactured with special fade - resistant dyes, these pads are excellent for scrapbooking, or everyday stamping. They will not deteriorate paper and photographs, or bleed when painted over with water based markers, blenders, watercolors, etc." The Jet Black is one of the blackest and I personally prefer it over Memories Black. - These come in 20 colors including some Bright colors considered good for resist stamping.
Ranger Stampit Inks - Another dye based ink with a large variety of colors both in single colors and rainbows - quick drying.
Ranger Sea Shells - These are dye based pastel hued colors which I prefer for Shadow stamping.
Ranger Sea Brights - These are dye based bright hued colors which coordinate with the Sea Shell Pads above.
Steward Superior Memories Pads - Fade Resistant dye ink for archival use. They also have a line of Soft colors made for Shadow Stamping.
Clearsnap Ancient Page - Permanent, waterproof, acid free fade resistant ink. Quick drying, archival quality. Come in regular size or mini.
Pigment Inks
Clearsnap Colorbox - Waterbased pigment ink. They are Ph balanced for archival purposes. Use pigment ink for embossing as it is much slower drying than dye ink. Comes in regular size pad and small cat eye good for DTPing. These inks are made into several other pads also: Paintbox pads, Petal Points, 3 and 5 color pads.
Tsukineko Ultimate VersaColor Pads - Tsukineko's ad says: "Most versatile ink in the industry. Faster drying, embossing optional, with high definition - rich color for crisp details. Fade resistant. Acid Free." These come regular size and small squares. I actually prefer these small squares for DTPing over the cat eyes, the pad seems to hold up better for me.
Tsukineko Brilliance Pad - These are the newest pads to come out and they have been received with much joy in the stamping world! LOL! They are an archival pigment, but with a new twist, these pigment pads can be used successfully on Glossy cardstock, vellum and even acetate! Without embossing! And the colors are to die for! Beautiful pearlescent colors found in no other pads. 20 colors in all!
Tsukineko Encore Metallic Pads - These Metallic pigment pads have a shimmering pearlescence yet are quick drying and fade resistant. 12 colors available.
Brilliance Pads and Memories Pads are not dye inks. Memories, like Rangers Archival, are permanent type of ink and can stain your stamps. If you use a solvent based cleaner the stain will lift. After using a solvent cleaner, rinse with water to remove any solvent. These are very good inks. You just have to use the right cleaner to remove the stain from the rubber.
Brilliance Pads
Billiance is more like a permanent based pigment ink. I adore these pads and they won't smear on vellum. Other more permanent type pigment inks would be Fabrico and Crafters, which will become permanent when set with heat.
Dye inks are water based and will always run when wet. Some dyes do stain too...the blacks and blues, which have a more pervasive dye in them, will do that. If the Marvy Matchables don't run it's because there's something else in them along with just the dye that prevents that. I gave up on clean stamps long ago! They're an art tool and used with love and lots of elbow grease.
