Best Ink Pads for Rubber Stamps | Versacraft, StazOn, Metallic & More – About You Stationery

If you’re shopping for rubber stamp ink pads, you might be wondering which type of ink pad works best for your stamp and your project. The truth is, not all inks are the same — some are perfect for paper and packaging, others are designed for fabric, wood, or even glass. At About You Stationery, we stock a wide range of ink pads for rubber stamps, so you’ll always get the right finish.

Here’s your complete guide to choosing the perfect ink pad.

Standard Ink Pads (for Small & Medium Stamps)

What they are:
Classic, dye-based ink pads designed for traditional rubber stamps.

Best for:

Everyday stamping
Paper, envelopes, and card stock
Packaging and office use

How to use:
Tap your stamp lightly onto the pad (don’t press too hard). Test on scrap paper to check coverage before stamping your project.

The most popular choice if you want an affordable ink pad for everyday rubber stamping in the UK.

Large Ink Pads

What they are:
Bigger pads created for oversized rubber stamps and logo stamps.

Best for:

Stamps over 40mm
Large logos, wide designs, or bold packaging stamps
Posters, signage, and craft projects

Perfect if you need a large ink pad for big rubber stamps.

Versacraft Ink Pads (UK & USA Favourite for Fabric & More)

What they are:
Pigment-based ink pads made for multi-surface stamping, especially fabric and porous materials.

Best for:

Fabric stamping (t-shirts, tote bags, ribbons, napkins, labels)
Wood, untreated leather, and unglazed ceramics
Paper and card where you want a slower-drying, richer finish

How to use:
The raised pad makes this ink pad suitable to use for any size of stamp. Simply dab the ink pad onto the stamp for an even spread. After stamping fabric, let it dry completely. For washable fabrics, heat-set the impression with an iron (no steam) or a heat tool to make it permanent.

A top choice in the UK for crafters and makers who want their stamps to work beyond paper.

StazOn Ink Pads (for Glass, Plastic & Glossy Surfaces)

What they are:
Solvent-based pads designed for non-porous surfaces where water- or pigment-based inks won’t stick. The quick-drying ink is designed for non-porous surfaces including glass, metal, shrink plastic, laminated paper, cellophane, aluminium foil, leather and acrylic.

Ideal for a multitude of uses, these ink pads are low odour, archival, acid free.

Best for:

Glass jars and bottles
Metal tins
Glossy card and coated papers
Plastic packaging

How to use:
The raised pad makes this ink pad suitable to use for any size of stamp. Simply dab the ink pad onto the stamp for an even spread. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Clean your stamp with StazOn cleaner afterwards.

The go-to option if you need a permanent ink pad for stamping on glass, plastic, or metal in the UK.

Metallic Ink Pads (Luxury Finish)

What they are:
StazOn inkpads are the industry leader in multi-surface stamping; StazOns highly versatile inks adhere to most acetate, acrylic, metal, leather, shrink plastic, cellophane, plastic and glass. StazOn inks also work great on paper!

Best for:

Wedding invitations and stationer
Luxury product packaging
Greeting cards and crafts
Dark paper or card (where the metallics really shine)

How to use:
Dab your stamp lightly and hold it on the paper for a second longer to transfer the metallic pigment evenly. Allow extra drying time.

Add instant glamour with a metallic ink pad for rubber stamps — perfect for weddings and events.

Memento Ink Pads (Beautiful Colours)

What they are:
Memento Ink Pads, available in a range of 36 colours, are one of the best ink pads to use for stamping and stencilling and work great with ink blending tools, brayers etc. Memento dye ink is fast drying and fade resistant. The innovative pad delivers finer impressions and exceptionally even coverage, reproducing the fine detail of your stamps perfectly. Can be stamped on almost any surface including coated and textured card. Stamped images, once dry, are water resistant and will not migrate.

Best for: