The Difference Between Distress Inks & Oxides? A Quick and Simple Guide for Paper Crafters

[@robinalcorn5140]

The dye inks are quite overlooked these days but they have a fantastic quality: they tint things! Want pink book pages? Easy! Want colored cardboard? Easy! They sink into the fibers and act as color-changers for anything. Oxides cover things up. Inks enrich what is already there.

[@thebanjolady]

Yours is the best explanation I’ve seen because it doesn’t have all the confusing info in all the you tube explanations.

[@robinalcorn5140]

@@thebanjolady I'm happy my words painted a clear picture. The inks are power in your hands.

[@Teddydoggie]

I much much much prefer inks. I really dislike the opaque quality of the oxides.

[@maryrivera6728]

Thank you so much i need to think about getting the oxides!!!

[@LouCollins]

You should!

[@margaretg2097]

Thank you so much for this very clear explanation, Lou. I now understand why my blending hasn't always been as smooth as I'd have liked. Now I'm off to search the sales for oxides! 😊

[@zinapalmer7875]

Thank you for sharing this and your color combination videos. They are all so helpful .

[@kimdixon3773]

Thanks for explaining the difference of the 2 types of ink in an easy to understand way. ❤️❤️❤️

[@busybunny01]

Thanks Lou 😘❤️ Another very informative video which I’m sure will help lots of crafters no matter their level of experience.

[@brendaelainewaddell1682]

Lou, what a helpful video. I've always wondered about these inks and now have a better understanding. Thanks so much. 😊🇨🇦

[@bethjeans3780]

One of my favorite differences is that regular Distress inks are transparent, and reactivate with water. So you’ll get mud putting some colors on top of each other. (Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like orange and blue.) But Oxides are opaque and if semi-dry (not even bone dry) and you put a color on top of another, the colors don’t blend to make mud, they sit on top of each other - more like paint. Oxides are my desert island inks!

[@blondecardsncrafts]

Thanks, Lou, for a fab and comprehensive tutorial. 😍

[@JayneMay-y9w]

Thank you for explaining the difference between the ink and oxides. X

[@susanmorris1007]

Great tutorial. Straightforward and clear. Thanks!

[@lynnbartlett4185]

Another helpful video. Thanks Lou x

[@carmelcarlton6829]

Thanks Lou for your excellent video!😃

[@annmorris1451]

Thank you Lou, very well explained

[@Jim49265]

Wow awesome! Now I know. Thanx for the information. You rock!

[@bonnerdebbie]

Thanks Lou, great video.

[@imlistening1137]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Does oxide take longer to dry?

[@KathySteinmeyer]

Thank you for explaining. Can you seal with something if you are concerned about your project getting wet after it is completed?

[@lindamcarthur1407]

Great video.

[@chrisb7819]

Great video Lou, can you blend distress inks and distressed oxides in the same project?

[@LouCollins]

Yes absolutely! The finishes are slightly different but they still blend together ok x

[@CrftGrndma]

Hi Lou, I was wondering if the oxide does totally dry and will not rub off onto anything? It has such a chalky feel, also. Thank You!! I Love your tutorials and color combo tutorials!! Thank You for your time and teaching us all we need to know!!

[@LouCollins]

Once the oxide has dried it doesn't transfer onto anything, no :-)

[@tinyderppotato5410]

hey lou! I was wondering if blending a layer of ink over oxide helps with keeping the brightness of the ink and at the same time having the easier, better blend of the oxide? I'm thinking about the brighter colours like picked raspberry where you want the "punch" from the ink. using the oxide as a smoother, better blended baselayer and then just finishing of with a layer of ink to get the brightness back... or will the more fluid properties of the dye just mess up the pigments from the oxide? (I sadly don't have any inks and oxides in the same colour otherwise I would have tried it, haha!) thank you so much for the colour series, it's very appreciated😊

[@LouCollins]

I’ll admit I have never tried it but I’m up for trying anything with inks and oxides so can let you know! I’d imagine the dye base would simply fade into the pigment but it’s worth a try!

[@tinyderppotato5410]

@@LouCollins haha, please do! it's one of those things that pops up in my mind at 3am🤣🤣

[@jeangottel8151]

do you need to use separate brushes or can they interchanged between the two types of dyes

[@3catmom844]

Perfect! I had no idea! Thank you so much!

[@sislertx]

I just ordered 20 reinkers of the wrong stuff..thats myy life

[@99zanne]

I understand Tim Holtz to say, Ranger can’t make the oxide in a cube size, as the ink requires the bigger form factor to work properly. Also, a fact that has helped me, but took a while for me to recognize, all “plain” distress is in a black tin and all oxide distress is in a gray tin! TFS.

[@rubybrambleburr1629]

Yes, he has said this on many occasions

[@sushanart]

👍

[@darlenegreen1089]

This is the first time I've had a good explanation of the differences in these 2 ink pads! I thank you for that.!

[@bethjeans3780]

@@darlenegreen1089there are quite a few differences - my favorite (maybe?) is regular Distress inks are transparent, and reactivate with water. So you’ll get mud putting some colors on top of each other. (Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like blue and orange.) But Oxides are opaque and if fairly dry (not even bone dry) and you put a color on top of another, the colors don’t blend, they sit on top of each other - more like paint.

[@kristinekerr3688]

You are correct 👍

[@jasminthomas3528]

Your ability to explain things in the simplest of ways is amazing. Is it possible to give some must-have stamp pads to get started without having to buy all the colours at once? Thank you.

[@sandsleblanc]

THANK YOU, this is by far the most informative video I have ever watched on the description of the two inks and how they work. I have always been confused by them so steered clear of buying them.

[@Yahoo12]

Clear presentation . I need to binge watch your other videos.

[@Bunny_the_Rabbit]

Thanks for the video. The moment I tried the Oxides I got rid of my Inks. I could never blend the inks like other people seem to. The Oxides for me just blend so smoothly. Especially on the Bristol smooth surface paper.

[@amandamarlowe3983]

Thanks Lou, an easy to understand explanation of the Oxides and Inks.

[@trumbleslum]

So, what is the point of buying distress inks, when oxides do far more interesting things on paper????? ..😍😍

[@LouCollins]

Distress inks were first out and some people still prefer their brighter qualities on light backgrounds rather than the chalky appearance of oxides I guess. But I’ll admit my inks have become pretty redundant since I have had all the oxide colours x

[@trumbleslum]

@@LouCollins Thankyou for replying, you have been very informative.

[@mchobbit2951]

I mostly use them for the aged paper effect and the gritter, more antique look you can get with the inks is just better for that than the oxides. The inks are also more fade resistant.

[@liveinmotion7535]

Thank you this is wonderful!

[@joycehuff9769]

Great explanation! Two points I’d like to bring up. Project longevity while exposed to light; a pigment ink will last longer heat embossing is best on pigment inks. I think both types have different uses. I learned with color box pigment inks and they were the best but sadly long gone. I have pigment projections from years ago with no fading

[@suetownsend1932]

Thanks, Lou. This video is a clear explanation of the differences between Distress Oxides and Distress Inks. I do have one question. Are there major differences between Distress brand inks and other brands of dye inks? Thank you.

[@melodine707]

Those brush holder frames are SO awesome!

[@emmarewell817]

Hi great video . Can anyone tell me please if you can use colouring pencils over the ink once dry? 😊

[@scrapperiam463]

Great informative video--thanks so much.

[@vanessabrown28]

Excellent! Thank you! I have just been searching for the difference between these 2 inks/oxide and now you have explained it so clearly.

[@heatherervinfalco1452]

Thank you for all your educative videos !

[@pam-nyc]

This was a great tutorial, thank you! QUESTION: Can either of these used to stamp on furniture or glossy decor pieces? Which would work best over chalk paint? milk paint? or this is only for paper and junk journaling? Thank you, any help is greatly appreciated.

[@CricketsBay]

No. Distress Ink and Distress Oxide are not good for furniture. Ranger Archival or Memento inks are better for furniture. They dry permanent, whereas Distress Inks/Oxides are not permanent on non-porous surfaces.

[@pam-nyc]

@@CricketsBay Thank you so much for your help!

[@CraftyDawn]

Thank you Lou for these wonderful tips. Very informative and helpful. - Dawn 🌅

[@jannaesweetz7429]

Thank you for the description and visual context. I'm new to junk journaling and I love all the medium options.

[@Viviana.craftwood]

Oh, maaaan, i should've seen this video before buying. I got the ink thinking it's the same.... i wanted it for my artwork to help me with backgrounds 😭 Edit: i did some research and realised i actually got the right type :○ yeeeeey 🎉

[@michelegourd5742]

Very helpful!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@mlee895]

Fantastic explanation of the differences. Thank you!

[@novablackburn4085]

Very useful Lou. Haven’t been clear about differences before. Thanks.

[@sheilayoung6552]

A lovely explanation. Thank you. Love your videos.

[@bevstroud7748]

Fabulous explanation of the differences tfs

[@theresabreeden6743]

Thank you for sharing this, going to share this with my Facebook group. Great explanation and descriptions.

[@LeslyeMcCulloch]

Great explanation! Thanks. 😊😊

[@anitakurtz7574]

Thank you for a great comparison!!!

[@cathihester6513]

I wish I had known the difference, that you have just explained, before I started to buy distressed product. I would have concentrated on oxides. Prefer them over the inks. Oh well, I will use them as best I can, using your awesome advice. TFS. ❤️from 🇨🇦

[@Pamsartplace]

Thank you for this explanation and demonstration!

[@sandrasimpey1712]

Yet another really helpful, informative tutorial. Thanks Lou x

[@LadyJP6969]

Very informative, thanks for sharing.

[@brendawalsh8254]

Lou how do you have your pads stored. Looks like hanging up? What product are they in?

[@nicolelarente5648]

Thank you so much for this video. You explained everything so well. I was shocked to see the oxide colour showing up on dark cardstock. Thank you so very much! I can now use my oxides in various ways.

[@lindastubbington6105]

Thank you so much Lou. I haven't got any distress inks, only oxides, so it's good to know what I'm missing!

[@paulawray6210]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@mellyj3874]

Thanks for sharing Lou. I could do with some of your energy as you never stop! Much appreciate all your tutorials 😊

[@bernadettelawson2916]

Thanks for this. You’ve explained it so well. It all makes so much more sense to me ❤

[@yelsyels]

Thanks and appreciated!❤❤❤

[@elaineannable3610]

thank you cleared alot up for me

[@jeanadamsick9854]

THANKS!!!!!! USA

[@jlm517rocks]

Very helpful, ty.

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