Walk into any craft store and you will find dozens of stamp ink options. Dye, pigment, archival, fabric, solvent — it can be overwhelming. Choosing the wrong ink for your project can mean smeared impressions, faded results or ruined fabric. This guide breaks down every major type of stamping ink so you know exactly which to use.
Dye-Based Ink
Dye ink is the most common type of stamping ink. It is water-based, dries quickly and produces vibrant, transparent color. It soaks into paper rather than sitting on top, which gives sharp, detailed impressions.
Best for: Card making, scrapbooking, everyday paper projects
Not ideal for: Dark or coated papers, fabric, outdoor projects
Dries in: 5 to 30 seconds
Pigment Ink
Pigment ink is thicker and more opaque than dye ink. It sits on top of the paper surface rather than soaking in, which makes it ideal for coated, glossy or dark papers. It takes longer to dry and needs heat setting or embossing powder to cure on non-porous surfaces.
Best for: Glossy papers, heat embossing, archival projects
Not ideal for: Quick projects where fast drying is important
Dries in: 1 to 5 minutes (longer on coated paper)
Archival Ink
Archival ink is a type of pigment ink that is acid-free and fade-resistant. Once dry, it is waterproof and permanent. It is the go-to choice for document stamping, journaling and any project meant to last decades.
Best for: Legal documents, journals, long-term keepsakes
Our notary stamps and official document stamps use archival-quality ink
Fabric Ink
Fabric ink is specifically formulated to bond with textile fibres. Unlike regular stamp ink, it survives repeated washing without fading or cracking. It needs to be heat set with an iron or dryer after application to make it permanent.
Best for: Clothing labels, school uniforms, camp gear, fabric craft projects
Our clothing stamps use non-toxic fabric ink that survives 40+ washes and stays permanent up to 90 degrees.
Chalk Ink
Chalk ink produces a matte, velvety finish and works beautifully on dark papers and surfaces. It is slightly chalky in appearance and pairs well with distressed or vintage aesthetics.
Best for: Dark cardstock, vintage craft projects, chalkboard surfaces
Solvent Ink
Solvent ink is industrial-strength and permanent on almost any surface — including metal, plastic, glass and leather. It is commonly used for date stamps, shipping stamps and industrial marking. It requires solvent-based cleaner to remove.
Best for: Non-porous surfaces, industrial and shipping applications
Our address stamps use a standard dye-based ink suitable for envelopes and paper.
Which Ink Comes in Self-Inking Stamps?
Most self-inking stamps — including all Pickled Stamps products — use dye-based ink pre-loaded into the internal pad. This gives you clean, fast-drying impressions right out of the box with no separate ink pad needed. Our fabric stamps use a specialized permanent fabric ink.
Quick Reference: Ink Type by Project
- Mailing envelopes and letters: Dye-based
- Marking books: Dye-based (our book stamps are pre-inked)
- Labeling clothing: Fabric ink
- Official documents: Archival/pigment
- Glossy or dark paper: Pigment
- Heat embossing: Pigment or specialty embossing ink
- Plastic, metal, glass: Solvent