Tsukineko Brilliance Ink Pad: Pearl & Metallic Ink
Brilliance is Tsukineko's water-based pigment stamp ink in pearlescent, metallic and matte colors, made to stand out on dark card and to air-dry even on glossy paper. Tsukineko lists the full-size pad at 99 × 68 × 19 mm with a 76 × 47 mm inking surface, in 34 colors, and a drying time of 10–15 minutes.
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Product facts
- Product
- Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, full size, Galaxy Gold (BR-000-091)
- Brand
- Brilliance
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Water-based pigment ink, acid-free (Tsukineko)
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan); sold in the US under its Imagine name. Made in Japan: The Amazon US listing for the Galaxy Gold full-size pad says "This product is manufactured in japan". Tsukineko's own product pages don't state a country; its company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington, so check the package. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Tsukineko lists the full-size Brilliance pad at 99 × 68 × 19 mm (3.9 × 2.7 × 0.7 in) with a 76 × 47 mm (3 × 1.9 in) inking surface.
- The full-size pad comes in 34 colors; the 33 × 50 mm Dew Drop and the 20 ml re-inker come in 28.
- Tsukineko gives a drying time of 10–15 minutes and says the ink air-dries even on glossy, coated paper.
- Galaxy Gold (BR-000-091, UPC 712353530911) showed 604 ratings and 100+ bought in the past month on Amazon US on October 22, 2026.
- Its Amazon US listing says the pad is made in Japan.
What is Tsukineko Brilliance?
It’s a water-based pigment stamp ink from Japan’s Tsukineko, made in pearlescent, metallic and matte colors that stand out on dark paper. Tsukineko, the Japanese ink maker behind VersaFine and Memento, sells it for paper crafts and says its colors look especially vivid.
Brilliance is the shimmering ink most US card makers know by its metallic names. On October 22, 2026, the Galaxy Gold full-size pad showed 604 ratings and 100+ bought in the past month on Amazon US, and Moonlight White showed 872 ratings.
Tsukineko Brilliance specs
| Spec | Full size (L) | Dew Drop | Re-inker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item numbers | BR-000-*** | BD-000-*** | RB-000-*** |
| Size | 99 × 68 × 19 mm (3.9 × 2.7 × 0.7 in) | 33 × 50 × 22 mm (1.3 × 2 × 0.9 in) | 28 mm across × 72 mm (1.1 × 2.8 in) |
| Inking surface | 76 × 47 mm (3 × 1.9 in) | 24 × 39 mm (0.9 × 1.5 in) | 20 ml |
| Colors | 34 | 28 | 28 |
| Ink | Water-based pigment, acid-free | Same | Same |
| Drying time | 10–15 minutes | Same | — |
| Price band | $$ ($5–20) | Not checked | Not checked |
Sizes, colors and drying time are from Tsukineko’s English and Japanese pages. Galaxy Gold’s full-size UPC is 712353530911 and Moonlight White’s is 712353530805.
What colors does Brilliance come in?
Three families: pearl, metallic and matte. Tsukineko’s Dew Drop numbering shows the split: pearl colors from 034 to 076, metallics from 090 to 097, and a few matte colors including Moonlight White (080) and Graphite Black (082).
The metallics include Galaxy Gold, Platinum Planet, Starlite Silver, Cosmic Copper and Starlite Black. Pearl colors carry the word “Pearlescent”, from Pearlescent Orchid to Pearlescent Chocolate.
How do you use Brilliance on dark card?
Ink the stamp lightly, press firmly, and leave the print to dry for the full 10–15 minutes Tsukineko gives. Pigment ink sits on top of the paper, which is why it shows up on black and kraft card, and also why it smudges if touched early.
Tsukineko says Brilliance air-dries even on glossy, coated paper, which many pigment inks don’t. It also says the ink flows well enough to paint with, and works with a dauber and on vellum.
Can you emboss with Brilliance?
Not reliably: Tsukineko says that on some papers it dries too quickly to hold embossing powder. For embossing, an ink sold for it, or a slow pigment like VersaMagic, gives powder longer to stick. Our Ranger clear embossing powder guide covers the method.
Brilliance’s strength is the shimmer itself. On dark card it gives a metallic look without powder or a heat tool.
Brilliance vs other Tsukineko inks
Pick Brilliance for shimmer and color on dark paper, VersaFine for crisp black detail, and Memento for dye-ink stamping under markers.
| Brilliance | VersaFine | Memento | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink | Water-based pigment | Oil-based pigment | Dye |
| Best for | Metallic and pearl on dark card | Fine black detail | Coloring with alcohol markers |
For a bright opaque white on dark card, compare Moonlight White with Hero Arts Unicorn.
Where is Brilliance made?
In Japan, according to the Amazon US listing for the Galaxy Gold pad. Tsukineko’s own pages don’t state a country. Its company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington.
Tsukineko is a Japanese company, and in the US its inks are sold under its Imagine name.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brilliance ink take to dry?
Tsukineko gives 10–15 minutes, depending on the paper, the weather and the color. On glossy card it still air-dries, Tsukineko says, but give it the full time before touching.
Can you heat emboss with Brilliance ink?
Sometimes. Tsukineko warns that on some papers it dries too quickly to hold embossing powder. A slower embossing or pigment ink is the safer choice for embossing.
Is Brilliance ink good on black cardstock?
Yes, that's what it's known for. Tsukineko tags it great on dark colors, and its metallic and pearl colors show up where dye inks disappear.
What is the difference between Brilliance and VersaFine?
Brilliance is a water-based pigment ink in shimmering and opaque colors for show; VersaFine is an oily pigment ink for crisp black detail. Both are Tsukineko inks for paper.
Is Brilliance ink permanent?
Tsukineko calls it acid-free, but it doesn't call it permanent or waterproof on the pages we read. We haven't tested it under water yet.
Can you use Brilliance on fabric or wood?
Tsukineko lists unfinished wood, vegetable-tanned leather, polymer clay, shrink plastic, terracotta and photos as well as paper. It doesn't list fabric.
Is Tsukineko Brilliance made in the USA?
No. The Amazon US listing for the Galaxy Gold pad says it's made in Japan; Tsukineko is a Japanese company.
Sources
- BRILLIANCE | Water-Based Pigment Ink for Paper (Tsukineko, English edition of tsukineko.co.jp: sizes, colors, item numbers, UPCs, drying time, applications, embossing)
- ブリリアンス｜紙用水性顔料インク (Tsukineko Japan: Dew Drop 33 × 50 × 22 mm, inker φ28 × 72 mm, 20 ml, drying 10–15 minutes on drawing paper)
- Amazon US: Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, Galaxy Gold (BR000091; made in Japan; 604 ratings)
- Amazon US: Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, Moonlight White (872 ratings)