VersaFine Clair Ink Pad: 42 Fast-Drying Pigment Colors
VersaFine Clair is Tsukineko's oil-based pigment stamp pad in 42 colors, built for crisp fine lines and solid areas. The pad is 97 × 57 × 23 mm with a 76 × 35 mm face and dries in about 3 to 5 seconds on absorbent paper. Tsukineko lists 780 yen (about US$4.94) before tax.
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Product facts
- Product
- Tsukineko VersaFine Clair Ink Pad (VF-CLA-101 to 951) and Clair re-inker (RF-000-101 to 951)
- Brand
- Tsukineko
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Not stated*
- Material
- Oil-based pigment ink, acid-free, on a foam pad in a plastic case
- Released
- 2017*
- 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. Released: Tsukineko's company history lists VersaFine Clair and Delicata as announced in 2017.
- 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
- Tsukineko lists 42 colors, an acid-free oil-based pigment ink that soaks into paper and dries in about 3 to 5 seconds on absorbent paper.
- The pad is 97 × 57 × 23 mm with a 76 × 35 mm inking face; a re-inker bottle is 24 mm across and 66 mm tall and holds 15 ml.
- Once dry the print is water-resistant, so you can stamp an outline and color it with water-based markers or watercolor.
- It is not for coated or other non-absorbent paper, and it can bleed on some papers or fabrics; on cloth it fades when washed.
- Tsukineko's list prices before tax are 780 yen (about US$4.94) for the pad and 580 yen (about US$3.67) for the re-inker; the page gives no country of manufacture.
What is VersaFine Clair?
It is Tsukineko’s fast-drying, oil-based pigment ink pad with a newly developed pad for sharp prints. Tsukineko, the Tokyo ink maker, says the ink soaks into the paper and dries quickly, and that fine lines, small patterns and solid areas all stamp crisply. It suggests the pad for planners, New Year cards, cards and tags.
It is acid-free and comes in 42 colors with a re-inker for each. Our VersaFine Onyx Black guide covers the black pad in the same family.
How big is the pad?
The pad is 97 × 57 × 23 mm with a 76 × 35 mm inking face. That face is narrower than the 76 × 47 mm face of Tsukineko’s larger pads, so a very tall stamp will not fit.
| Pad | Re-inker | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 97 × 57 × 23 mm | 24 mm across, 66 mm tall |
| Inking face | 76 × 35 mm | n/a |
| Content | foam pad | 15 ml |
| List price before tax | 780 yen (about US$4.94) | 580 yen (about US$3.67) |
| Part number | VF-CLA-*** | RF-000-*** |
Prices are Japanese list prices at 158 yen to the dollar. Tsukineko ships pads in units of three and says re-inkers are made to order, so they can take time to arrive.
What paper and materials suit it?
Plain, copy, recycled postcard, kraft and Japanese paper. Tsukineko lists those papers, and also cloth such as cotton, linen and polyester, though not for washing. It warns that coated paper and other non-absorbent papers are unsuitable, and that some papers and fabrics can bleed.
Can you color over the print?
Yes: once dry it is water-resistant, so a stamped outline stays put. Tsukineko says you can stamp the outline first and then color with water-based markers or watercolor. For other pads that suit coloring, see the Versacraft Soramame ink pad.
How do you keep it working?
Refill from the matching re-inker and keep the lid shut. Tsukineko sells a 15 ml re-inker in every color, listed at 580 yen before tax. Because inkers are made to order, buy one early if you use a color often.
How does it compare with other Tsukineko pads?
It is the quickest-drying of the paper pads we cover, and the cheapest per pad. Its 76 × 35 mm face is narrower than the 76 × 47 mm face of the VersaMark pad and the Delicata L pad, which dries in about 10 to 15 minutes instead of seconds.
| Ink | Face | Drying | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VersaFine Clair | oil-based pigment | 76 × 35 mm | 3 to 5 seconds |
| Delicata L | water-based metallic | 76 × 47 mm | 10 to 15 minutes |
| StazOn Pigment | solvent-based | 76 × 35 mm | 3 seconds to 5 minutes |
Sizes and times are Tsukineko’s. For non-paper surfaces, see the StazOn Pigment pad.
Where is it made, and what does it cost?
Tsukineko’s page doesn’t give a country of manufacture. The company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama built in 1986 and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994. At 780 yen (about US$4.94) before tax the pad is in our $ band (under $5).
Frequently asked questions
How many colors does VersaFine Clair come in?
42, per Tsukineko, each with a matching 15 ml re-inker. Tsukineko also offers a color-swatch sheet to print.
How fast does it dry?
About 3 to 5 seconds on paper that absorbs ink easily, per Tsukineko. The time varies with the material, weather and color.
Does it work on glossy paper?
Tsukineko says it is unsuitable for coated paper and other non-absorbent papers.
Is the print waterproof?
Tsukineko says it is highly water-resistant once dry and does not bleed, so you can color over it with water-based markers or watercolor.
Can you stamp on fabric?
Yes, on cotton, linen or polyester, but Tsukineko says the color may come out in the wash, and the stamped cloth is not machine washable.
What is the difference from VersaFine Onyx Black?
Clair is the 42-color line with a new pad; our Onyx Black guide covers the original black pad.
How much does it cost and where is it made?
Tsukineko's list prices before tax are 780 yen (about US$4.94) for the pad and 580 yen (about US$3.67) for a re-inker, in our $ band (under $5). The page doesn't state a country of manufacture.
Sources
- Tsukineko: VersaFine Clair (42 colors, 97 × 57 × 23 mm pad, 76 × 35 mm face, 3 to 5 second drying, uses, cautions, 780 yen before tax, re-inker 15 ml at 580 yen; read October 31, 2026)
- Tsukineko: company history (VersaFine Clair announced 2017; Yoshikawa factory; Redmond subsidiary; read October 31, 2026)