What the Ink?! A Beginner’s Guide to Printing

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:41:02 GMT

How to Choose the Best Ink for Your Project

Whether you're a crafter, small business owner, or someone just stepping into the world of printing, one of the first things you'll need to understand is which ink to use and when. With so many types such as dye, pigment, sublimation, and eco-solvent, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

Each ink type serves a different purpose, performs differently on various materials, and can dramatically affect the final output of your project. Choosing the wrong one might lead to faded prints, smudges, or wasted materials.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the key differences of each ink type so you can print smarter, waste less, and get results you’re proud of.

Choose the Right Ink

for Your Project

Start by asking a few simple questions about your output, material, and use case. Each type of ink has its strengths and knowing what matters most for your project can save you time, money, and frustration.

Important Points to Consider:

Where will the print be used?

Indoors (e.g., notebooks, photos, planners)
Outdoors (e.g., signage, stickers, tarps)

Will it get wet or be washed?

Yes – needs to be water-resistant
No – dry indoor use only

Do you need long-term durability?

Yes – archival or fade-resistant
No – short-term or disposable

What material are you printing on?

Regular paper
Vinyl or plastic
Fabric (cotton or polyester)
Hard surface (e.g., mugs, tumblers)

What kind of printer do you have?

Inkjet (basic home/office)
Epson EcoTank (can convert for sublimation)
Large format/eco-solvent printer

Choosing the right ink can make all the difference in the quality, durability, and overall success of your printed project. While guides like this are a great starting point, the best way to truly learn is through hands-on experience.

Don’t be afraid to experiment —try different inks, materials, and techniques to see what works best for your specific needs. Whether you're printing your first sticker sheet, customizing a tumbler, or designing your own planner pages, each project helps you discover new possibilities and avoid common pitfalls.

Test small before going big. Print samples, compare results, and take note of how each ink behaves on different media. It’s all part of the creative journey.

Let’s keep learning, printing, and growing one project at a time. ��️

Your Guide to Crafting Supplies

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:03:04 GMT

Your Guide to Crafting Supplies

Our Craftiest Guide To Crafting Supplies is here to help you get started with simple and easy projects. This guide will provide you practical information you need so you can ensure you will get maximum enjoyment out of your creative experience without breaking the bank!

Our compiled supplies guide is listed per project type. These are our tried and tested supplies shown in most of ou r Tutorial Videos. Our list contains Shopee affiliate links which means if you purchase after clicking on our link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you but know that none of these links are posted as promotional or marketing campaigns of a specific product or shop.

For Chip Bag Making:

120gsm Double Sided Photo Paper
Double Sided Tape 10/12mm for top seal
Glue Tape Roller for bottom & side seal
Paper Crimper for small & big chip bags (We recommend this brand and size as it provides a comfortable grip compared to others.)
Pinking Shears/Zigzag Scissors 5mm (We prefer rubber handle type for the same reason mentioned above.)

For Notepads and Booklets:

Bond Paper Hard Copy or Paperone Brand 70-100gsm depending on your project. These paper brands may cost more than other brands but we can vouch for their quality and paper brightness. This is my go-to shop since they carry both brands.
Cover Page 200-250gsm Photo Paper No Back Print . For most regular inkjet printers, paper thickness is only up to 160-180gsm Photo Paper .
Long Arm Stapler .
For Business Forms & Non-BIR receipts: Carbonless Paper (Top, Middle, Bottom). This is my trusted brand and this shop is the Official Distributor of this product.

For Stapled Notebooks (staple binding):

For Commercial Calendar:

Hard Copy Bond Paper 70gsm . Here is my go-to shop.
Metal Calendar Slide Clip
Calendar Clipping Machine/Tool A4

For Desk & Poster Calendar:

Inside Pages: 115gsm Photo Paper
Standee: Foldcote Board 330gsm
A4 Binding Machine 3:1 Adjustable Pitch (can also be used for Notebook Making).
Cover Page 200-250gsm Photo Paper No Back Print . For most regular inkjet printers, paper thickness is only up to 160-180gsm Photo Paper . You can also use this for the Poster Calendar.
Double Loop Wire 3:1 Pitch 7.9mm or 5/16" for A4
Calendar Hanger 6-7/8 for A4 size . Two of my go-to store depending on availability. 20pcs or 100pcs

For Acrylic Keychain:

As you dive deeper, especially as a creativepreneur, there are more crafting supplies or tools you'll need and we'll be glad to share some more here in our blog. Thanks for checking our post! See you in the next one!

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Craftiest Crafts For Biz or Personal Use

What the Ink?! A Beginner’s Guide to Printing

How to Choose the Best Ink for Your Project

Choose the Right Ink

for Your Project

Important Points to Consider:

Your Guide to Crafting Supplies