VersaCraft Fabric Ink Pad: S and L Sizes, Heat-Set Colors
VersaCraft is Tsukineko's water-based pigment ink pad for fabric, wood and paper, set with an iron so it survives washing. The S pad is 34 × 34 × 20 mm in 62 colors; the L is 96 × 63 × 20 mm in 36. Tsukineko lists S at 430 yen (about US$2.72) and L at 880 yen before tax.
On this page
Product facts
- Product
- Tsukineko VersaCraft S (VKS-***) and L (VK-***) fabric ink pads and inker
- Brand
- Tsukineko
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Not stated*
- Material
- Water-based pigment ink on a polyurethane pad in a polystyrene case
- Price range
- $under $5 per stamp or ink pad
- Rate it
Notes on these facts
- Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
- How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
- 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 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
- VersaCraft is a water-based pigment ink that Tsukineko says bleeds little on fabric and survives washing once heat-set with an iron.
- The S pad is 34 × 34 × 20 mm with a 24 mm face in 62 colors; the L pad is 96 × 63 × 20 mm with a 76 × 47 mm face in 36 colors.
- Heat-set cloth through a press cloth, generally at 180 to 200 °C for at least 15 seconds, following the garment's care label.
- Tsukineko rates cotton and linen best for stamping, water and washing; polyester stamps well and resists water but not washing.
- List prices before tax are 430 yen (about US$2.72) for S and 880 yen (about US$5.57) for L; the page gives no country of manufacture.
What is VersaCraft?
It is a water-based pigment ink pad that Tsukineko makes for fabric. Tsukineko says it prints clearly on bags and T-shirts without bleeding, and that once ironed it does not wash out. It is a long-keeping ink with a wide color range and a re-inker for each pad.
The small VersaCraft Soramame is a small cousin from the same family.
What sizes and prices are there?
S in 62 colors, L in 36 colors, and an inker. Tsukineko lists these sizes and prices before tax.
| S | L | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 34 × 34 × 20 mm | 96 × 63 × 20 mm |
| Inking face | 24 × 24 mm | 76 × 47 mm |
| Colors | 62 | 36 |
| Part number | VKS-*** | VK-*** |
| List price before tax | 430 yen (about US$2.72) | 880 yen (about US$5.57) |
Prices are Japanese list prices at 158 yen to the dollar. Tsukineko lists the case and body as polystyrene and the pad as polyurethane.
Which fabrics are best?
Cotton and linen, in Tsukineko’s rating. Its table rates stamping, water resistance and washing resistance for each cloth.
| Fabric | Stamping | Water | Washing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | best | best | best |
| Linen | best | best | best |
| Silk | best | best | good |
| Rayon | good | best | weaker |
| Polyester | good | best | poor |
How do you heat-set it?
Iron it through a press cloth. Tsukineko gives 180 to 200 °C as a general guide for cotton, for at least 15 seconds, but says to follow the garment’s care label, since lower heat weakens washing resistance. Wood and terracotta are dried with a hairdryer, which improves water resistance. Leather should dry naturally or with a hairdryer, since heat can warp it.
What else can you stamp on?
Unpainted wood, plain paper, Japanese paper, natural leather and unglazed terracotta. Tsukineko lists those absorbent surfaces, and notes the ink can be embossed on paper. Wet ink can be washed off with water, though some color may remain. For a pad that suits non-absorbent surfaces, see our StazOn guide.
How does it compare with the other Tsukineko pads?
It is the one built for washable cloth. VersaFine Clair can stamp cotton, linen or polyester but Tsukineko says it fades in the wash, while VersaCraft is heat-set so washing leaves it in place on cotton and linen. The StazOn Pigment pad stamps glass and metal, which VersaCraft does not list.
The S pad’s 24 mm square face is the same as the Delicata S, so small stamps work with either.
Where is it made, and what does it cost?
Tsukineko’s page doesn’t give a country of manufacture. The company history lists a Yoshikawa, Saitama factory and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington. The S pad at 430 yen (about US$2.72) before tax is in our $ band, and the L pad at 880 yen (about US$5.57) in $$.
Frequently asked questions
What materials is VersaCraft for?
Fabric, unpainted wood, plain paper, Japanese paper, natural leather and unglazed terracotta, per Tsukineko, all absorbent surfaces.
How do you make it wash-proof?
Press with an iron through a press cloth. Tsukineko gives 180 to 200 °C for cotton as a guide, at least 15 seconds, but says to follow the garment's care label; lower heat weakens washability.
Which fabrics work best?
Cotton and linen score top marks for stamping, water resistance and washing in Tsukineko's table; silk is a notch lower on washing, rayon lower again, and polyester fails washing.
What about wood and leather?
Dry wood and terracotta with a hairdryer to improve water resistance. For leather, dry naturally or with a hairdryer; Tsukineko doesn't recommend ironing it, and coated or artificial leather holds ink poorly.
Can you wash off wet ink?
Yes. Before it dries it can be removed with water, though some color may stay.
How many colors are there?
62 for the S pad and 36 for the L pad, per Tsukineko, plus rainbow and gradation pads and a re-inker.
How much does it cost and where is it made?
Tsukineko's list prices before tax are 430 yen (about US$2.72) for S and 880 yen (about US$5.57) for L, in our $ and $$ bands. The page doesn't state a country of manufacture.