How to Re-Ink Stamp Pads

Don't throw out your dried up old stamp pads, re-ink them!
Re-inkers come in small squeeze bottles. To re-ink your pad, spread a thin layer of ink over the pad, then
use something sturdy (like an old credit card) to drag across the pad to evenly spread the ink.

TIP: Whenever you buy a new ink pad, be sure to buy the matching re-inker. In case the manufacturer decides to discontinue that color, you have the re-inker that will last you years.

If you have a dried up ink pad and are unable to get a re-inker for it, you can purchase an ink refresher from us. Ranger has a product that rehydrates and conditions Ink Pads and Water-Based markers. Since it only re-hydrates without adding more colors, you have a limited amount of times you can use it, but it is better than nothing, and a small $5 investment will cover all of your pigment and dye based ink pads. As well as water based markers and Kaleidacolor Spectrum pads. It has revived many of my LePlume Markers!

NOTE: It is not recommended that Perfect Ink refresher be used with waterproof ink pads, or metallic pads. Also, when using on rainbow pads, use sparingly as over hydration will cause the colors to run together and ‘muddy’ the surface


How to store Stamp Pads

Always store your ink pads with the lids firmly in place. If your pads come with a thin plastic cover, store that in place as well for extra protection from drying out (TIP: These plastic covers can be attached to the stamp pad lid with a foam dot to ensure it is not lost).

Foam pads (the spongy ones usually used for pigment inks) should be stored right side up.

Felt pads (the denser ones used for dye based inks) perform better when stored upside down allowing the ink to stay on the top of the pad.

When storing rainbow pads be sure to keep them level so the different ink colors don’t run together and become muddy.

How to Clean Stamp Pads

To keep the color of your ink pads bright and looking new, avoid mixing ink colors. Be sure to clean your stamps immediately after use to prevent getting other colors of ink on your pad.

In times of artistic frenzy, accidents can happen. If you end up with a cherry red impression on your sunshine yellow pad, try cleaning the ink pad. Take a damp paper towel and lightly press it on the ink pad to blot up the color. Repeat blotting with a dry paper towel. You can also try repeatedly tamping the pad directly onto a clean piece of paper. Sometimes this can take care of the problem.

On occasion an ink pad will start separating from its base. (in 14 years of stamping – I have only had this happen twice). Of course this will inevitably happen to your favorite pad (why – because you use those the most!) This tends to happen most commonly to foam pads. All you need to do is place a couple drops of super glue on the base where the ink pad has separated from, gently put the ink pad back in place, and allow the super glue to dry before using the ink pad again.

TIP: We store our ink pads in tool cases purchased from a local home improvement store for under $10. We label the fronts of the pads with the name of the color, and also stamp a sample of the color on a label. We both have our pads organized by type. Because the tool boxes have handles, we can easily grab them and take them when needed.

With proper care and maintenance, your ink pads can give you years of reliable service. I have ink pads that have been around for the better part of a decade. I have had to re-ink them. But they work just like new!