Inspiration Ink

Stampin’ Up!™ will be changing the style of the ink pads over the next few years. They are starting with the new In Colors for 2026-2028. Here’s a video by Stampin’ Up!™ with more information on these new ink pads.

In 2026, ONLY the new In Colors will come in the new magnetic ink pads. In 2027, all ink colors will transition to the new magnetic felt pad as part of a planned color revamp, and the current pad style will be phased out. All existing colors are expected to remain in the current pad style through the May–August 2027 Catalog, subject to availability.

The current firm foam pads have served well for many years and have delivered great results. At the same time, as Stampin’ Up!™ continues to evaluate long-term performance, they’ve found that felt is a more stable material for dye-based inks over time. Working with their manufacturing partner, this new design allows Stampin’ Up!™ to offer what they believe will be the best overall ink pad experience, with benefits such as:

• a more consistent and reliable inking experience over time.
• reduced risk of challenges such as leaking or color changes as pads age.
• a magnetic case that’s easier to open and close and is designed to stack neatly.
• the lid well is shallower than the current design, which makes ink transfer easier for watercoloring techniques.

Felt and firm foam ink pads each have their own stamping feel, so the experience will be a little different between the two.

• Firm foam releases ink quickly and can feel easier to use for stamping bold images; it may require more cleanup.
• Felt releases ink in a more controlled way, which works beautifully for detailed images and helps reduce over-inking, smudging, and mess.
• For stamping bold images with the felt pads, you may need to ink slightly more by “walking” the stamp across the pad.
• Felt typically requires less frequent re-inking of the pad and you only need to re-ink in the center as the ink spreads easily.

The new magnetic ink pads do cost a little more ($14 per pad). Several factors contribute to the cost of the new pads, including materials (such as magnets), manufacturing and shipping considerations, and broader economic factors like tariffs. The ink pads also have additional ink in the pad (more than double) when they are made.

These ink pads are based on Close To My Heart’s proven design and are customized for Stampin’ Up!™ inks and brand standards. Even before joining forces with CTMH, Stampin’ Up!™ had already begun researching options for updating the ink pad design. Through early conversations, Stampin’ Up!™ had the opportunity to purchase the patent for the CTMH cases, which gave them a strong foundation to build on.

As for the 2027 color revamp, Stampin’ Up!™ is taking a fresh look at the color offering for 2027 and beyond. As in the past, that process includes an evaluation of which core colors should remain and where there may be opportunities to introduce new ones. It’s still early, and details will come later, but this is part of Stampin’ Up!’s™ ongoing commitment to keeping the color collections current, inspiring, and creative.

The new pads will fit in the current storage system. Please note, however, that existing storage was not specifically designed for the magnetic cases, so the fit will not be perfect. Stampin’ Up!™ is currently exploring a future storage option designed to integrate more seamlessly with the new pads. Additional details will be shared once plans are finalized.

Here are some tips for storing or transporting the new magnetic, stackable ink pads:

• Be mindful when stacking, as lids may occasionally be more attracted to a pad above than to their matching base.
• Take care to keep lids and bases paired correctly to avoid mix-ups or potential color contamination. We recommend adding a label to the front of the outside of the case (bottom layer), and to the inside of the case (top layer).
• When transporting, consider securing stacks to reduce shifting.