I often get asked what is the difference between Black StazOn and Memento Inks.  They are both black inks, but each serves a different purpose.  If you want to stamp black ink on card stock and leave it as just a black image (sentiments), then you can use either ink.  If you want to color the image you stamp, then it matters which black ink you use depending on the type of coloring you want to do.

 

Black StazOn ink is a permanent ink used for non-porous surfaces and watercoloring.    If you want to stamp on tile coasters, plastic, glass, metal, acetate/window sheets and leather, then this is the ink you want to use.  It will not rub off because it is permanent.  If you want to use Watercolor Pencils & Aqua Painters and/or Blender Pens, then this is the ink you want to use.

I prefer to use StazOn ink when I am picking up ink color directly from the ink pad to color (with either my Aqua painter or Blender Pen).  Water will not make the StazOn ink run or bleed.  This ink will stain your stamps, but the stain will not hurt your stamps.  You can use StazOn Cleaner to clean the stain off your stamps & blocks if you wish to remove the stain.  The remover also works great on removing stains from your work table.

 

Black Memento Ink is water-based, which means it will bleed when you add water.  This ink is ideal for using Blends Markers because the ink will not run or smudge.  Blends Markers will make StazOn Ink bleed.  Memento ink is also good for general stamping because the ink can be cleaned off your stamps and blocks easily with your Simply Shammy and/or Stampin’ Scrub & Mist.

 

Classic Black Archival Ink (retired)

Some of you may still be using your Archival Black ink that was recently retired.  Some people were not getting a good stamped image from the Classic Black pad and some saw that it had a purple hue.  My pad wasn’t affected by this and I still use it, in addition to the two ink pads from above. Unfortunately, re-inkers are no longer available for this Classic Black Archival ink, so once the pad goes dry, you will have to choose a new black ink.

 

Both StazOn & Memento Inks have re-inkers available to make your ink pads last a very long time.  I like to re-ink mine often so that my images are dark & crisp.

 

I hope this comparison of the two black inks was helpful to you.  You may find that you don’t have to choose between the two because they serve different purposes.  Just get both!  

 

I listed and linked both inks with their compatible products to make it even easier for you to shop & use.

 

What goes with Black StazOn Ink:

Black StazOn Ink, #101406, $10

Black StazOn Re-Inker, #102566, $7

StazOn Cleaner, #109196, $6

Watercolor Pencils, #141709, $16 for 13 pencils in Stampin’ Up! colors

Aqua Painters, #103954, $17 for two Aqua painters, medium & large tipped brushes

Blender Pens, #102845, $12 for a pack of 3 dual-tipped pens

Thick Watercolor Paper, #122959, $5 for five 6 x 9″ sheets

Shimmery White Card Stock, #101910, $9 for ten 8 1/2 x 11″ sheets.  My choice for perfect for watercoloring

Stampin’ Scrub, #126200, $17 and Stampin’ Mist Cleaner, #102394, $4.50 (it won’t remove the stain of the stamps, but it will clean & condition your stamps).

 

What goes with Black Memento Ink:

Black Memento Ink, #132708, $6

Black Memento Re-inker, #133456, $5

Blends Markers.  Available in over Stampin’ Up! colors.  Sold individually for $4.50 or in a light & dark combo pack for $9.

Whisper White Card Stock, #100730, $9.75 for 40 sheets

Simple Shammy, #147042, $8 (I like to store mine in a clear-mount stamp case, #119105, pack of 4 for $7).

Stampin’ Scrub, #126200, $17 and Stampin’ Mist Cleaner, #102394, $4.50 (same one as above).