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Hi, when I ink up the background stamp with the same color as the cardstock (for example, mellow moss ink and mellow moss cardstock), it is difficult to see the details of the background stamp on the cardstock. This is especially true with "busier" stamps like Canvas, Floral, and Paisley Print. I am using craft ink pads.
Should I avoid matching the ink with the cardstock?
Should I use the background stamps on WW or VV only?
Or should I stamp the background stamp in one shade darker than the cardstock?
Or is the background stamp supposed to be very subtle and not take away from the rest of the card?
:confused:
Sorry if this sounds so confusing. Thanks for your input.
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Yes to all of the above. Sometimes subtle is all that a card needs so tone on tone is the way to go. Other times, I go a shade darker to give the background more depth, better definition. Sometimes I use a craft ink that is lighter than the cardstock for a different look.
My tone on tone backgrounds usually stand out really well. Is your ink still wet when you stamp it, or has it dried a little? Sometimes it dries quickly, so you have to "huff" on it to moisten it up again. Even when I use french script or linen it shows up really well. Another option is to use a brayer to sufficiently ink your background, or use a brayer to make sure your cardstock really picks up the ink. If you need any more details on the techniques I mentioned feel free to ask!
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i find if i want it to stand out JUST a little more i stamp in versamark. it comes out just a shade darker than stamping it in the same color. at least with most of the soft subtle colors i use anyway.
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i love tone on tone stamping and find mine shows out just fine, but I have to make sure that my stamps are good and wet when they stamp. I do find that my linen stamp tends to appear softer when stamped, but that is what I am usually looking for.
__________________ Lisa C., Mom to 3 great kids, 3 super dogs and an cat that thinks she is a dog! My Gallery
here on this card Blue Wedding you can just see the linen behind the announcing. Very subtle, but adds dimension to the card.
And here on this one Plum Wedding you can see where I stamped the floral in perfect plum on perfect plum. You can not make out the linen on the rest of the card, but it is there, very subtle.
__________________ Lisa C., Mom to 3 great kids, 3 super dogs and an cat that thinks she is a dog! My Gallery
It depends on the look you are going for.Do you want the subtle tone on tone or a more obvious image to show? I tend to use a contrasting color or a darker shade w/my background stamps. But everytime I see a card with the tone on tone look I think how much I really like it and need to try it. I do think some stamps show up better tone on tone than others as far as "detail". For ex the fine lines of a flower may not show up as much as a word but that is the subtle look. I'm not sure how much of yours isn't showing up. You've had great advice above - is your inkpad ready to be reinked? I too agree that the versamark is a bit 'sharper" for the tone on tone look. HTH Andrea
here on this card Blue Wedding you can just see the linen behind the announcing. Very subtle, but adds dimension to the card.
And here on this one Plum Wedding you can see where I stamped the floral in perfect plum on perfect plum. You can not make out the linen on the rest of the card, but it is there, very subtle.
Hi, thanks for sharing your cards. In both of them, I can see the background stamps on them, both the linen and the floral [on dark cardstock].
Thanks for asking this question, Helenrx. I've been wondering much the same thing myself, but didn't quite know how to phrase the question. Your questions were spot on! And the replies were very helpful. Thanks everyone.
Now I need to get those backgrounds out again and not be afraid!
I often use the same color ink as the paper because I like the subtle oomph backgrounds give. But if I want it to stand out more, but not be "in your face," I'll use a slighter darker shade. For example summer sun ink on barely banana paper, or pumkin pie ink on more mustard paper. It really depends on the design of the background and the overall look you're trying to get for the card. You can also use a coordinating color and stamp off once to get a softer shade.
Just play with different colors on your scraps to see what you like best. As with most stamping, really it's a matter of individual taste and style.
I tried tone-on-tone using Night of Navy craft ink and the Print Pattern stamp, and couldn't see the ink once it dried unless I tilted the paper. Guess I'll stick to classic ink for that look! ;)
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I tried tone-on-tone using Night of Navy craft ink and the Print Pattern stamp, and couldn't see the ink once it dried unless I tilted the paper. Guess I'll stick to classic ink for that look! ;)
Does Classic Ink work better for the tone-on-tone look than Craft Ink?
Does Classic Ink work better for the tone-on-tone look than Craft Ink?
Absolutely! Classic is coordinating which means it's not exactly the same color, so it's great for tone on tone. Craft is the same color which means, as row4d discovered, it disappears on the paper of the same color.
Absolutely! Classic is coordinating which means it's not exactly the same color, so it's great for tone on tone. Craft is the same color which means, as row4d discovered, it disappears on the paper of the same color.
very very interesting! I know that for darker papers I tend to use versamark more to get a tone on tone look (only the really dark papers), black, night of navy, etc. Otherwise I find that classic ink works great!
__________________ Lisa C., Mom to 3 great kids, 3 super dogs and an cat that thinks she is a dog! My Gallery
I actually, sometimes don't even use the match if I want it to show more. Cocoa on burgandy has more intensity, black on Navy, Cranberry on Real Red, Artichoke on Garden Green. I like it to really show in a coordinating way. I also LOVE white pigment on most colors.
Absolutely! Classic is coordinating which means it's not exactly the same color, so it's great for tone on tone. Craft is the same color which means, as row4d discovered, it disappears on the paper of the same color.
Wow, I had it backwards the whole time. Thanks for explaining this! This really helps.
cardstock and matching ink for background stamps
