StazOn Ink Pad: What It Stamps On & How to Clean It
StazOn is a permanent, solvent-based stamp ink pad from Tsukineko, a Japanese ink maker, for glass, metal, plastic and leather. Tsukineko lists the full-size Jet Black pad (SZ-031) at 99 × 68 mm with a 76 × 47 mm surface and the Midi at 58 mm square; 15 ml inkers refill both. Officeworks lists Japan as the country of manufacture.
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Product facts
- Product
- StazOn Solvent Ink Pad, Jet Black (SZ-031; full size and Midi)
- Brand
- StazOn
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Solvent-based, acid-free dye ink
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Notes on these facts
- Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan). Made in Japan: Officeworks (Australia) lists Japan as the country of manufacture for a StazOn pad in Pumpkin (No. 92); we found no listing stating it for Jet Black specifically. Tsukineko's product pages don't state a country of manufacture. Its Japanese company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama (1986 and 1998), and a US subsidiary, TSUKINEKO, INC. of Redmond, Washington, that began production in 1994, so check the packaging. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- Tsukineko's Japanese site lists the full-size pad (SZ-031, JAN 4992475550318) at 99 × 68 × 19 mm with a 76 × 47 mm surface, ¥980 (about US$6.20) before tax.
- The Midi pad (SZM-031) is 58 × 58 × 20 mm with a 37 × 37 mm surface, ¥750 (about US$4.70) before tax; Tsukineko says it launched in 2012.
- Tsukineko gives a drying time of 3 seconds on absorbent surfaces to 5 minutes on non-absorbent ones.
- Inkers hold 15 ml and fit only StazOn and StazOn Midi; the StazOn cleaner (SZCL-56) holds 56 ml.
- A June 2022 UK safety data sheet classifies StazOn ink as able to cause serious eye damage (H318) and calls for adequate ventilation.
What is a StazOn ink pad?
StazOn is a permanent, solvent-based stamp ink pad made by Tsukineko, a Japanese ink-pad maker, for stamping on surfaces that ordinary inks can’t hold. Tsukineko’s Japanese site calls it an all-purpose ink (万能インク) that works on almost any material: an acid-free, fast-drying solvent dye ink that air-dries.
The Jet Black full-size pad is SZ-031 on Tsukineko’s Japanese site (JAN 4992475550318) and SZ-000-031 on its English site (UPC 712353150317); Amazon sells it as SZ000031. Solvent ink sets as its carrier evaporates rather than by soaking into fibers, which is why it can sit on glass or metal.
StazOn ink pad specs
| Spec | Full size | Midi |
|---|---|---|
| Item No. (Japan) | SZ-*** (Jet Black SZ-031) | SZM-*** (Jet Black SZM-031) |
| Item No. (export) | SZ-000-*** | SZ-MID-*** |
| Colors | 30 | 17 |
| Case (W × D × H) | 99 × 68 × 19 mm (3.9 × 2.68 × 0.75 in) | 58 × 58 × 20 mm (2.28 × 2.28 × 0.79 in) |
| Inking surface | 76 × 47 mm (3 × 1.85 in) | 37 × 37 mm (1.46 in square) |
| List price (Japan) | ¥980 (about US$6.20) before tax | ¥750 (about US$4.70) before tax |
| Ink | Solvent-based, acid-free dye ink | Same ink |
| Inker | 15 ml, SZR-*** (Jet Black SZR-031), ¥630 (about US$4.00) before tax | Same inker |
Everything in the table comes from Tsukineko’s Japanese StazOn page, which says the ink and its uses are the same for both pads. It also notes that the inker is made to order, so it can take a while to arrive in Japan. Tsukineko’s company history dates the Midi to 2012.
Which surfaces does StazOn stamp on?
Tsukineko’s Japanese site lists plastic, metal, shrink plastic, rubber, leather, polymer clay, laminated and coated paper, plain paper, photos, glass, ceramics, terracotta, transparency film and painted surfaces. That covers glass jars, tags, packaging film and leather goods.
The same page adds cautions. Washi, vellum, cloth and untreated wood bleed a little; prints on non-absorbent surfaces can come off if scratched; and you should wipe oil off the surface before stamping. Tsukineko says Jet Black resists UV light and is suited to long-term storage, even of important documents.
How long does StazOn take to dry?
Tsukineko gives 3 seconds on absorbent surfaces and up to 5 minutes on non-absorbent ones. It says the time varies with the material, the climate and the ink color.
Not every buyer agrees. One eBay reviewer said the ink was still wet on their paper after several minutes, so test on a scrap of your actual paper first.
How do you clean stamps and re-ink the pad?
Use Tsukineko’s StazOn cleaner (SZCL-56), a 56 ml bottle listed at ¥980 (about US$6.20) before tax. Tsukineko says to apply it to the stamp and wipe with a cloth, wait a little if the ink is stubborn, and always wipe the stamp with water afterwards. It also removes StazOn from glass or plastic, but not from paper or fabric.
Clear stamps need care. Tsukineko says resin (acrylic) clear stamps may degrade depending on their material and recommends testing first, while Vaessen Creative says the cleaner is not suitable for clear stamps because it is solvent-based.
When the pad runs dry, use the StazOn inker: a 15 ml bottle that Tsukineko says works only with StazOn and StazOn Midi. Close the inner lid when you store the full-size pad to stop it drying out.
Is StazOn safe to use?
It is a craft ink, but its safety data sheet calls for eye protection. A June 2022 UK sheet classifies the ink as able to cause serious eye damage (H318), names 2-phenoxyethanol (10–15%) as the hazard component, asks for adequate ventilation and gives a flash point above 60 °C.
An older 2017 EU sheet lists a flash point of 64.5 °C, classifies the ink as harmful if swallowed and irritating to skin and eyes, and recommends tightly sealed goggles. Check the label and the current sheet from your seller.
How does StazOn compare to VersaFine and Memento?
All three are Tsukineko inks, but only StazOn is made for non-paper surfaces.
| StazOn | VersaFine Clair | Memento | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink base | Solvent dye | Oil-based pigment | Water-based dye |
| Best for | Glass, metal, plastic, leather | Fine detail on uncoated paper | Paper, including coated |
| Watercolor over it | Not stated | Yes, water-resistant once dry | No (Root & Co) |
| Alcohol markers | Not stated | Not stated | Recommended by Tsukineko |
| Drying time | 3 s to 5 min | About 3–5 s | 3–5 s on art paper |
Ink bases, uses and drying times come from Tsukineko’s Japanese pages; the Memento watercolor note is from Root & Co. For a blendable paper ink, see our Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink pad guide; for watercolor over a stamped outline, a heavier sheet like the Canson XL Mix Media pad helps.
For opaque, matte color on dark cardstock, Tsukineko’s VersaMagic chalk ink pad is the paper ink to look at.
Which size should you choose?
Pick the full-size pad for stamps up to about 3 × 1.85 in, and the Midi for small stamps or a set of colors.
- Full size: a 76 × 47 mm surface covers most text and image stamps, in 30 colors.
- Midi: a 37 mm (about 1.5 in) square surface in a 58 mm case, in 17 colors; it costs less per pad.
For addresses and logos, a self-inking stamp such as the Trodat Printy 4912 uses its own pad instead.
Where are StazOn ink pads made?
A retailer lists Japan as the country of manufacture. Officeworks in Australia gives Japan for a StazOn pad in Pumpkin (No. 92); we found no listing that states it for Jet Black specifically.
Tsukineko’s product pages don’t state a country of manufacture. Its Japanese company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, built in 1986 and 1998, and a US subsidiary, TSUKINEKO, INC., set up in Redmond, Washington, in 1993 and producing since 1994. Check the box of the pad you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What surfaces can StazOn ink stamp on?
Tsukineko's Japanese site lists plastic, metal, shrink plastic, rubber, leather, polymer clay, laminated and coated paper, plain paper, photos, glass, ceramics, terracotta, transparency film and painted surfaces. It warns that washi, vellum, cloth and untreated wood bleed a little.
How long does StazOn take to dry?
Tsukineko says 3 seconds on absorbent surfaces and up to 5 minutes on non-absorbent ones, varying with the material, climate and ink color. Some buyers report it staying wet longer on certain papers.
Is StazOn ink permanent and waterproof?
It is sold as a permanent ink, and Tsukineko says Jet Black resists UV light and suits long-term storage and important documents. On non-absorbent surfaces the print can still come off if scratched.
How do you clean StazOn off rubber stamps?
Tsukineko's StazOn cleaner (SZCL-56, 56 ml) is applied to the stamp and wiped off with a cloth, then the stamp is wiped with water. Tsukineko says resin clear stamps may degrade and should be tested first; one retailer calls the cleaner unsuitable for clear stamps.
Can you use alcohol markers over StazOn?
Tsukineko doesn't say. Its Japanese Memento page recommends Memento, a water-based dye ink, for coloring with alcohol markers, so that is the safer choice.
Is StazOn ink toxic or flammable?
A 2022 UK safety data sheet classifies it as able to cause serious eye damage and names 2-phenoxyethanol as the hazard component; it gives a flash point above 60 °C. A 2017 EU sheet lists a flash point of 64.5 °C and recommends tightly sealed goggles.
How do you re-ink a StazOn pad?
Use the matching StazOn inker, a 15 ml bottle that Tsukineko says fits only StazOn and StazOn Midi. Match the color number to the pad and spread the ink evenly across the surface.
Where are StazOn ink pads made?
Australian retailer Officeworks lists Japan as the country of manufacture for a StazOn pad, and Tsukineko runs factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama. Tsukineko also has a US subsidiary that began production in 1994, so check the box.
Sources
- ステイズオン｜多用途油性速乾溶剤性染料インク (Tsukineko Japan product page, "StazOn, multi-surface fast-drying solvent dye ink": uses, drying time, cautions, SZ/SZM/SZR item numbers, JAN codes, sizes, prices)
- ステイズオン クリーナー (Tsukineko Japan product page, "StazOn Cleaner": SZCL-56, 56 ml, how to use)
- 会社案内-沿革 (Tsukineko Japan company history: Yoshikawa factories, US subsidiary, StazOn Midi launch 2012)
- メメント (Tsukineko Japan product page, "Memento": water-based dye ink, recommended for alcohol markers)
- バーサファイン クレア (Tsukineko Japan product page, "VersaFine Clair": oil-based pigment ink, water-resistant once dry)
- StāzOn / StāzOn Midi (Tsukineko product page, English edition: SZ-000 and SZ-MID item numbers, UPCs)
- Officeworks: Tsukineko StazOn Ink Pad 92 Pumpkin (country of manufacture Japan)
- Amazon: Tsukineko SZ000031 Full-Size StazOn Multi-Surface Inkpad, Jet Black
- eBay: StazOn Solvent Ink Pad Jet Black (listing and buyer reviews)
- Birch Creative: Tsukineko StazOn safety data sheet, UK, June 2022 (PDF)
- Perles & Co: StazOn safety data sheet, EU, 2017 version (PDF)
- Vaessen Creative: Tsukineko StazOn stamp cleaner 56 ml
- Root & Co: Tsukineko Memento Dew Drop ink