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I think I saw, awhile back, that Miss Dina had recommend Hammermill Premium Color Copy 80# 216 GSM Cover (apologies -- I just looked it up, and I saw that Miss Lisa, LovinPaper, recommended Hammermill, lol, and maybe a higher #/gsm....).
I tried a ream of it, and I love the stuff. For blending or dry embossing or stamping, it's really nice. I blend using brushes, so my ink isn't saturating the paper as quickly -- or as much -- as a sponge does. That said, I suspect it'll be just fine, because I double (sometimes triple) ink my 4- and 5-layer flower stamps, and I don't have any problems with the cardstock misbehaving.
Edited (again) to add: Just looked it up on Staples.com, and Staples now carries the 100# Hammermill, so I'll be getting that one instead. :-) I like the 80#, but sometimes wish it was a tad thicker.
__________________ ....call me a little ODD....
Last edited by OneDevotedDame; 02-16-2024 at 12:00 PM..
Reason: revised apology
My absolute favorite for ink blending is Strathmore’s Bristol Smooth cardstock. It can also take some water too, if you you want to flick some water or spatter paint. The only downside is that it’s not bright white. Hammermill is good for blending too and the color is nice, but it doesn’t take wet media as well.
I think I saw, awhile back, that Miss Dina had recommend Hammermill Premium Color Copy 80# 216 GSM Cover (apologies -- I just looked it up, and I saw that Miss Lisa, LovinPaper, recommended Hammermill, lol, and maybe a higher #/gsm....).
I tried a ream of it, and I love the stuff. For blending or dry embossing or stamping, it's really nice. I blend using brushes, so my ink isn't saturating the paper as quickly -- or as much -- as a sponge does. That said, I suspect it'll be just fine, because I double (sometimes triple) ink my 4- and 5-layer flower stamps, and I don't have any problems with the cardstock misbehaving.
Edited (again) to add: Just looked it up on Staples.com, and Staples now carries the 100# Hammermill, so I'll be getting that one instead. :-) I like the 80#, but sometimes wish it was a tad thicker.
FYI: the Hammermill I saw on Staples was listed as 110#, but the gsm is 199, which makes it an index stock, and not a cover stock. True 110# cover would have a gsm of 298. Hammermill doesn't make a 110# cover, but they do have 100#. To know exactly what you're getting, look for the gsm. For COVER weight stock, 80# is 216 gsm, 100 # is 270 gsm, 110# is 298 gsm.
Strathmore Bristol Smooth is also my favorite for blending.
__________________ Linda E
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Last edited by uncbballfan; 02-18-2024 at 08:58 PM..
Reason: add'l info
The following 3 users liked this post by uncbballfan:
FYI: the Hammermill I saw on Staples was listed as 110#, but the gsm is 199, which makes it an index stock, and not a cover stock. True 110# cover would have a gsm of 298. Hammermill doesn't make a 110# cover, but they do have 100#. To know exactly what you're getting, look for the gsm. For COVER weight stock, 80# is 216 gsm, 100 # is 270 gsm, 110# is 298 gsm.
Oh, yeah, I know! This is the Hammermill I'm referring to:
It's 100# Cover, 271 gsm!
[Whoa, dang, that is one big photo; sorry!!!]
__________________ ....call me a little ODD....
Last edited by OneDevotedDame; 02-18-2024 at 09:38 PM..
Reason: underline link
The following 2 users liked this post by OneDevotedDame:
Normally I would suggest Gina K. She has the best #80 layering weight ($13.95 for 25 sheets) and I LOVE her #120 heavy base weight but the cost has skyrocketed. I paid $8.50 last year for 25 sheets and now it is $17.95 for 25 sheets. I don't think I can pay that much as I make a lot of cards to donate. Thank goodnessI stocked up when it was $8.50 for the heavy weight and it breaks my heart to think I have to find something else to use. Any suggestions? Sorry I didn't mean to hijack your question.
Normally I would suggest Gina K. She has the best #80 layering weight ($13.95 for 25 sheets) and I LOVE her #120 heavy base weight but the cost has skyrocketed. [....] Any suggestions? Sorry I didn't mean to hijack your question.
I only have 2 brands of 120# to compare -- Hobby Lobby and DesktopSupplies -- and I don't *think* either of them are super duper high quality/smooth like what I've heard about Gina K. So, that said....
Like I said, though, I have no experience with the higher end brands, and I bought this cardstock because I couldn't find Hammermill Digital Copy Cover in 120# (I think they only go up to 100#).
I've also heard really great things about Accent Opaque's Smooth 120# card. I kinda wanna try that one, too.
Edited to add: Desktop Supplies' cardstock is definitely textured. It's okay for bases that aren't directly stamped/ink blended.
__________________ ....call me a little ODD....
Last edited by OneDevotedDame; 05-07-2024 at 06:37 AM..
Reason: clarification
Normally I would suggest Gina K. She has the best #80 layering weight ($13.95 for 25 sheets) and I LOVE her #120 heavy base weight but the cost has skyrocketed. I paid $8.50 last year for 25 sheets and now it is $17.95 for 25 sheets. I don't think I can pay that much as I make a lot of cards to donate. Thank goodnessI stocked up when it was $8.50 for the heavy weight and it breaks my heart to think I have to find something else to use. Any suggestions? Sorry I didn't mean to hijack your question.
Yes, Gina's paper is super smooth. It was always a favorite. In recent years, I have used SU Basic White and it is smooth as far as stamping and alcohol ink coloring. I am using Accent Opaque quite a a bit in the 80# and 100#. They work well for coloring with alcohol inks and great for card basis. I like Hammermill paper for most everything in card making. It will take stamping and alcohol inks well for coloring as well as the Spellbinders Glimmer System if you use that. Another paper I turn to is Spectrum Noir White, which is perfect for stamping and alcohol ink coloring. I am not devoted to one brand it seems. I have used Hobby Lobby as well for card basis. Most of their paper has a texture so it is difficult for coloring with alcohol inks, but I think other coloring mediums worked well.
"Ink blending" may be a different techniqe from my using brushes and coloring with alcohol markers, but changing to these two cardstocks has made a world of positive change both in my attitude while coloring and in the results.
For layering, I use Neenah Classic Crest Coverstock, 8.5" x 11", 80 lb, Smooth Finish, Solar White, 250 Sheets (04701).
For card bases I use Neenah Paper 4456 Neenah 110lb Classic Crest Cardstock 8.5"X11" 125 per Package.
Both are available via Amazon.
What type and brand of brushes are used for ink blending?
I use Spellbinder's Blending Brushes and Mini Blending Brushes. I started off with some old mineral makeup brushes (flat top foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, etc.), but I'd get ink bleeding under the stencil in a few spots, no matter how careful I was. I had to pounce the brushes, which takes enormous amounts of time, and my projects were kinda-sorta okay. With the ink brushes, I swirl instead of pounce -- which goes so fast! -- and I don't get anymore bleeding.
Tons of other companies have them. Picket Fence Studios' are black with brown bristles, and come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Taylored Expressions' , Waffle Flower's , and CraftStash's brushes are rainbow colored with white bristles. Scrapbook.com has their own line in gray. Altenew has a ton of different shapes/sizes. iCrafter's are stackable, finger-dauber style, and I totally would've grabbed theirs, if they had been marked down this low when I was buying! ($5 on sale, marked down from $40. Another crafting company closing up shop. )
I've heard of folks getting them on Amazon from various companies, with excellent results, too; but I avoid Amazon 99.99% of the time.
They're great fun, lol. Especially for those of us who are a bit heavy handed when applying ink; I never could get the hang of the sponge dauber thingies.
My absolute favorite for ink blending is Strathmore’s Bristol Smooth cardstock. It can also take some water too, if you you want to flick some water or spatter paint. The only downside is that it’s not bright white. Hammermill is good for blending too and the color is nice, but it doesn’t take wet media as well.
I noticed that about my Hammermill. Its wet performance was disappointing. I want a more versatile cardstock.
Thank you so much OneDevotedDame. I just got my order from Desktop (the 120#) and am really happy with it. And I got 400 sheets for actually a teensy (used the coupon code so thanks for that also) less than I could have gotten 150 sheets from Gina K. I am still a huge fan of her company and products but sometimes you just have to make the hard decisions.
Last edited by BroncoFan60; 05-18-2024 at 11:04 AM..
Reason: add
Thank you so much OneDevotedDame. I just got my order from Desktop (the 120#) and am really happy with it.
You're very welcome! <3 I looooove using 120# for bases. Feels like I just can't go back to 110#, which is where I started. I was nervous, at first, that I wouldn't be able to score the heavier stock very well, but so far, so good. :-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoFan60
And I got 400 sheets for actually a teensy (used the coupon code so thanks for that also) less than I could have gotten 150 sheets from Gina K. I am still a huge fan of her company and products but sometimes you just have to make the hard decisions.
Oh, I know. :-( It's not ideal, *but* at least you're still supporting an American company, buying made-in-USA paper. That's still pretty awesome. <3
Ink Blending on Cardstock
