Besides ink pads, coloring tools are needed for most of our cardmaking projects. There are many options to choose from, but perhaps you are wondering which one is best for your projects. Have you asked yourself these questions:
- What is the difference?
- Which one should I use?
- What paper should I use?
- What ink, (if applicable) should I use?
Let’s talk about coloring. There’s much information to share on some of these coloring tools, but in today’s post, we’ll do an overview and in future posts, I’ll go more into details. For now, here are 5 coloring tools.
Stampin’ Blends
Stampin’ Blends are alcohol markers. Each pack comes with 2 markers of the same color – light shade and dark shade. This allows easier blending of the color. Each blend has a fine tip for smaller images and a brush tip for larger images. The markers are non refillable so you will need to purchase another pack when they get dried up, although they seem to last for a while. Currently, out of the 50 Stampin’ Up! colors, the Stampin’ Blends are available in 36 colors plus Basic Black, Bronze, Ivory and a color lifter. The color lifter removes color so it’s perfect for those times you get color where you don’t want it. It also highlights and softens. Below is the list of colors currently NOT available.
- Brights Collection – all except for Coastal Cabana, Gorgeous Grape and Pacific Point, Mango Melody
- Neutrals Collection – all except for Merry Merlot, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray
- Regals Collection – all except for Crushed Curry, Garden Green, Rich Razzleberry
- Subtles Collection – all except for Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
- 2021 – 2023 In Colors – available in all 5 colors
- 2020 – 2022 In Colors – all except BumbleBee
Stampin’ Blends Tips To Remember:
Do:
- Use water based dye ink like Memento Black ink — do not use StaZon
- Can be used on any cardstock
- Use to create highlights and shadows for a 3D type of look
- Store them horizontally
Don’t:
- Press down hard as it can damage your marker nibs (point)
- Color directly on stamps
Stampin’ Write Markers
Stampin’ Markers are water based markers and are dual-tipped with a broad tip for coloring and fine tip for writing. The Stampin’ Write Markers are available in all the Stampin’ Up! colors.
- You can color directly on stamps to create a multi color image or sentiment – I find that it works better on cling mount than photopolymers. After you color the stamp, huff on it to moisten the stamp.
- Color stamped images by using the side of the tip and do not press down on the tip. Marker color is deeper when used by itself. Can look streaky depending how you color.
- Use it for various techniques
- Use it on any cardstock
- Can be used with Stazon ink, Memento Black ink or Classic Stampin’ ink pads
- Watercolor with the markers – scribble on a clear block or plastic and pick up the color with an water painter
- Using your blender pen, pick up color from the tip of your marker to create soft shading
- The markers are refillable – just remove the tip with tweezers and fill with the coordinating ink refill
- Store markers horizontally
Ink Refills
Ink Refills come in all the Stampin’ Up! colors and you can get them as a collection or individually. The ink refills are dye based and are fast drying. Each bottle is 0.5 fl. oz. and is acid free.
- Use to reink the Classic Stampin’ pads and Stampin’ Write Markers.
- Can be used for various techniques
- Refills can be used for watercoloring but must use permanent ink such as Stazon or it will bleed
- Can be used with a blender pen or water painter
- Use on any cardstock
Watercolor Pencils
Watercolor Pencils are high-quality, smooth color pencils and are acid-free. Stampin’ Up! sells 2 packs – Assortment 1 & 2 and there are 21 colors available in addition to Basic Black and Whisper White.
The Watercolor Pencils in Assortment 1 are: Real Red, Calypso Coral, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Early Espresso, Basic Gray and Basic Black & Whisper White.
Assortment # 2 comes with Cherry Cobbler, Flirty Flamingo, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Coastal Cabana, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, and Gorgeous Grape.
- Lay down one color or more – doesn’t need to be perfect. You can blend with the blender pen. .
- Use them for a watercolor look with water painters, blender pens or by themselves
- Create shadows and highlights
- Can be used on any cardstock
Soft Pastels Assortment
These chalk pastels is a new item in the annual catalog. It comes in 8 colors – Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, Mossy Meadow, Night of Navy and Poppy Parade. When I first became a demonstrator back in 2010, Stampin’ Up! used to have stampin’ pastels but they used to come in a case in approximately 1″ squares.
- Use on any cardstock
- Use with water painters, sponge daubers and blending brushes. You can use with a blender pen but it will dry out your tip. If you choose to use the pen, set it aside to be used just with these chalks.
- You can use your finger to smooth out the chalks and you can also color with q-tips.
- Stamp image with any black ink and color your image. Scribble or shave off some chalk onto a scrap paper and pick up color from there using whatever medium above you like.
- One of my favorite techniques is to use VersaMark for your image and then apply the chalks and see them appear. This technique was called Poppin’ Pastels. Looks especially nice on dark cardstock.
Color Wrap-Up
I love using these 5 coloring tools on my card projects. Try one, two or all of them for yourself and find your favorite. Next week I’ll share with you information on other coloring tools. If you need a refresher on types of ink pads, check out this post.
Thanks for stopping by . . . till next time . . .
Below are the coloring tools found in my online store. Stampin’ Blends were not included as there are too many, but please check online for your favorite colors.
