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 cardstock
- 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 for affordable ink pads for everyday rubber stamping in the UK.
👉 Shop Standard Ink Pads
Large Ink PadsWhat they are:
Bigger pads are created for custom large 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.
👉 Shop Large Ink Pads 
Versacraft Ink Pads (UK & USA Favourite for Fabric & More)
What they are:
Pigment-based ink pads are 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 for use with 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 for use with 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.
👉 Shop StazOn Ink Pads 
Metallic Ink Pads (Luxury Finish)
What they are:
Metallic StazOn inkpads are the industry leader in multi-surface stamping; StazOn's highly versatile inks adhere to most acetates, acrylics, metals, leather, shrink plastic, cellophane, plastics, and glass. StazOn inks also work great on paper!
Best for:
- Wedding invitations and stationery stamps
- Luxury product packaging
- Greeting cards and craft stamps
- 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.
👉 Shop Metallic Ink Pads
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:
- Scrapbooking and journaling
- Card making and creative crafts
- Paper and card projects that need quick drying
- Layered stamping (doesn’t smudge with markers or pencils)
How to use:
These inks dry quickly, so stamp straight down for a crisp impression. Perfect for layering multiple colours.
Ideal if you’re looking for colourful ink pads for crafts in the UK.
👉 Shop Memento Ink Pads 
Archival Ink Pads
What they are:
Archival ink pads are a great choice for business branding and packaging. They are waterproof, fade-resistant, acid-free, and produce crisp, long-lasting impressions on paper and card and come in the most stunning colours!
Best for:
- Paper bags stamps
- Kraft packaging
- Cardboard boxes stamps
- Product labels
- Swing tags
- Business cards
- Loyalty cards
- Certificates
Compared to standard dye inks, archival inks offer greater durability and water resistance, making them ideal for packaging that may be handled frequently or stored for long periods.
👉 Shop 2" x 3" Archival Ink Pads
👉 Shop 4" x 6" Jumbo Archival Ink Pads
Coffee Cups and Takeaway Packaging
Many cafés, bakeries, and food businesses use custom rubber stamps to brand takeaway cups, paper bags, pastry boxes, and napkins. Stamping can be a cost-effective alternative to ordering custom printed packaging while also reducing waste from minimum print runs.
For this application, we recommend our Coffee Cup Stamp Kit, which includes a custom rubber stamp and a suitable ink pad, making it easy to start branding your takeaway packaging immediately.
👉 Shop Coffee Cup Stamp Kit With Ink Pad
This option is particularly popular with independent coffee shops, market stalls, bakeries, and pop-up food businesses looking for an eco-friendly branding solution.
Final Tips: Which Ink Pad Should You Choose?
- For paper & card → Standard, Large, Memento, Archival or Metallic ink pads
- For fabric, wood & ceramics → Versacraft ink pads
- For glass, metal & plastic → StazOn ink pads
- For weddings & luxury stationery → Metallic ink pads
- For everyday use → Standard ink pads or self-inking stamps with refill pads
👉 Shop All Ink Pads
Still not sure which is best for your project? Get in touch — we’ll help you choose the right ink pad for your stamp.
Quick Comparison: Which Ink Pad Is Right For You?
| Ink Pad | Waterproof | Fabric | Packaging | Glass/Plastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| VersaCraft | ⚠️ Heat Set | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| StazOn | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Metallic | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Memento | Water Resistant | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Archival | ✅ | ❌ | ✅✅ | ❌ |
| Coffee Cup Kit | ✅ | ❌ | ✅✅ | ❌ |