After hearing a lot about the new Ranger Inkssentials Specialty Stamping Paper I finally succumbed to the enabling and purchased a package to see for myself. 
At about $.80 a ( 8 1/2 x 11) sheet it is 3x more expensive than my average sheet of white cardstock I stamp on. To be perfectly honest I expected to feel let down or indifferent. Instead I was blown away + amazed + preparing to order it in BULK. Holy wow. Ok here’s why it is amazing: no warping or pilling.
If you want to do distress ink/marker play, or a lot of stamping or marker technique or that kind of stuff and your normally have issues with paper getting warped or yucky or bits of the paper rubbing off – you NEED this. wowza. I can’t recommend it enough. I fully soaked this paper, used multiple layers of color, heat tool, and all kinds of stuff and yet it held. perfectly flat. No issues here.
As I played with my first sheet I had the video running (so I could see how to re-create what I came up with – not because I intended to make a video to share)… and it’s short so I think I’ll share my process. Here it is:
My big tip would be to cut a piece of paper the approximate size you need first. That way you don’t get the rest of the sheet colored on/dirty. I’m using this first sheet as a trial/error/play sheet so I’ll be filling it (both sides) with random experiments and not thinking about finished projects or use.
The closest comparison to what this paper feels like is matte finish photo paper (except thicker and both sides are the same finish).
Have I mentioned I’m super impressed with this paper?
It is available in 8 1/2 x 11 and ATC size from Ranger – I’d suggest the bigger size (you can always cut it down) unless you’re making ATCs.
Links to supplies used:
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Wow, just WOW. No piling, no curling, no damp spots where the paper tore from too much watercolor?!
Love it! Love the train stamp, too. It’s on my wishlist because my boy’s are nuts about trains.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll be hunting this Ranger product down!
So cool.I ordered some too.
Always love your reviews, info and videos. Little mini-classes from you. And always filled with your personality. Thanks!
Thanx so much for the review and video! I had purchased a pack after seeing it used in an on line class. I had in the past purchased so many different ‘specialty’ papers but did not think I would buy anymore till I saw a demo of this one. I was really surprised and think I will definitely be buying more of this in the future. TFS 🙂
I just tried some of this paper recently & I agree that it’s worth the price.
I just got some LaBlanche which is suppose to be very similar.I’ll let you know after I give it a try.
May, I love how your stamped image came to life with just a few simple strokes of distress ink pens & some water-FABULOUS! I have got to give this a try…as soon as I get some distress pens & that wonderful paper 🙂
Wow! I passed up a pack of the specialty paper while shopping this morning because it seemed to expensive. It is great to see the products in action and now I am sold. 🙂
That looks fantastic May. I bought some paper for Tim’s class but haven’t used it yet