Instructions:
Using Hero Arts Shadow Stamps® to make a solid background of color creates the perfect canvas for creating beautiful and original card creations. There are many ways to use these versatile background stamps, and numerous techniques on how to use them, but one of the first things to consider when using these stamps is the type of ink that will best convey the look you want to create.

Our dye-based Shadow Ink®, available in very soft pastel muted hues, bring out the best in Shadow Stamps.

Dye Properties
Dye ink pads come in all varies, and most are acid-free, archival and dry quickly on any surface. Dye ink pads are also great to use in combination with water coloring, since dye ink is permanent and does not run. In particular, dye ink pad works beautifully with Shadow Stamps. Dye pads are good for background stamping since dye ink generally soaks into porous papers and thus becomes more muted as it dries.

Using Shadow
Ink Shadow Ink pads have much less color when compared to other dye inks, in order to get a "soft" wash. When you look at the pad, it appears darker and more saturated then it really is. However, when you stamp it, you will soon see the soft properties.

Due to the soft colors in our Shadow Ink line of dye pads, it takes a bit of practice to get a smooth impression with a new pad. It is best to ink your stamp by lightly tapping the rubber to the ink pad a few times rather than pressing down firmly on the ink pad. Sometimes small "bubbles" can form on the rubber of the stamp (this will lessen as the ink pad gets more use). If this happens, then continue to tap the rubber gently to the ink pad to help distribute the pools of color more evenly across the stamp image. Next, stamp with a soft touch.

The Wonder of Soft Hues
As the stamped impression dries, it becomes lighter and the soft wash of color settles evenly on the paper. This soft color offers many opportunities for creativity that other pads -- even other dye pads -- do not.

For example, since the color is so subtle, you can make wonderful backgrounds of soft colors as the "canvas" for almost any card creation. Also, Shadow Ink pads and reinkers are often used by stampers "direct to paper," by putting the ink onto the paper using the ink pad or a paint brush in order to add color and intrigue to cards. And tone-on-tone stamping, different shades of the same color (such as soft leaf ink on a light green card), work ideally with the light hues of Shadow Ink.

Shadow Ink pads offer some of the softest colors available for background stamping, and thus offer endless possibilities when making your "shadow" creations.

Additional Info:

Tip: Shadow Ink pads are specially-formulated acid-free, dye inks designed for use with Hero Arts Shadow Stamps, offering some of the softest hues of color available for background stamping.

Suggested Materials:
View all the colors and varieties of our Shadow Ink line of soft hues in Hero Products.