Memento Tuxedo Black: The Ink Pad for Copic Coloring
Memento Tuxedo Black (ME-000-900) is a water-based dye ink pad from Tsukineko of Japan, which calls Memento the best choice for alcohol marker coloring, such as Copics. Tsukineko lists the full-size Memento L pad at 99 × 68 mm with a 76 × 47 mm inking surface, and a drop-shaped Dew Drop (MD-900) version.
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Product facts
- Product
- Memento Dye Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black (ME-900; full size)
- Brand
- Memento
- Brand origin
- Japan
- Made in
- Japan*
- Material
- Water-based, acid-free dye ink on a raised cloth pad
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Notes on these facts
- Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan); sold in the US under its Imagine name. Made in Japan: Rittagraf, a European retailer, lists the Memento ink pad with a 7.7 × 4.7 cm inking surface (the full-size pad) as made in Japan. Tsukineko's product pages don't state a country of manufacture; its Japanese company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary, Tsukineko, Inc., producing in Redmond, Washington, since 1994, so check the box. 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 lists the full-size Memento L pad (ME-000-900, UPC 712353259003) at 99 × 68 × 19 mm with a 76 × 47 mm inking surface.
- Tsukineko lists the teardrop-shaped Dew Drop pad (MD-900) at 33 × 50 × 20 mm with a 24 × 39 mm inking surface; in Japan it costs ¥430 (about US$2.70) before tax.
- Tsukineko's Memento re-inker holds 15 ml (about 0.5 oz) in a 24 × 66 mm bottle.
- Tsukineko gives a drying time of 3 to 5 seconds on art paper and about 1 second on inkjet paper, and describes the ink as acid-free.
- Tsukineko's Japanese site sells only the Dew Drop and inkers; the full-size Memento L appears on its English site for overseas markets.
What is Memento Tuxedo Black?
Memento Tuxedo Black is a black, water-based dye stamp ink pad made by Tsukineko, the Japanese company that also makes StazOn and VersaFine. The full-size pad’s item number is ME-000-900 (often shortened to ME-900), and “900” is Tuxedo Black’s color code across the Memento line. Tsukineko calls the full-size pad Memento L.
Tsukineko describes Memento as a fast-drying, acid-free water-based dye ink with clearer color than conventional dye inks and better resistance to water and fading. In the US it is sold under Tsukineko’s Imagine name.
Memento Tuxedo Black specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan) |
| Model | ME-000-900 (full size, Memento L) · MD-900 (Dew Drop) |
| Ink type | Water-based dye, acid-free |
| Full-size pad | 99 × 68 × 19 mm (3.9 × 2.68 × 0.75 in) |
| Full-size inking surface | 76 × 47 mm (3 × 1.85 in) |
| Dew Drop pad | 33 × 50 × 20 mm; inking surface 24 × 39 mm |
| Drying time | 3–5 seconds on art paper; about 1 second on inkjet paper |
| Re-inker | 15 ml (about 0.5 oz), 24 × 66 mm bottle |
| UPC, full size | 712353259003 |
| Made in | Japan (retailer listing; see below) |
All figures are from Tsukineko’s English and Japanese product pages. Swedish retailer Tidformera gives the Dew Drop as about 32 × 50 mm; we use Tsukineko’s figures. Tsukineko doesn’t publish a weight.
Market note: Tsukineko’s Japanese page sells Memento only as the Dew Drop, at ¥430 (about US$2.70) before tax, plus inkers at ¥540 (about US$3.40). The full-size Memento L and the marker appear only on its English page, for overseas markets.
Why is Memento the standard ink for Copic coloring?
Because Tsukineko designs it for that: both its English and Japanese pages say Memento is the ink to choose for coloring with alcohol markers. Alcohol markers can reactivate some stamp inks and drag the outline into the color; Memento’s water-based dye doesn’t react that way with the markers’ solvent.
Retailers say the same. Root & Co’s Memento listing says a stamped print can be colored with alcohol markers, but not with a water brush or watercolor, and that the ink can’t be heat embossed.
How does Memento compare to VersaFine and StazOn?
All three are Tsukineko blacks, but each suits a different kind of coloring.
| Memento Tuxedo Black | VersaFine Onyx Black | StazOn Jet Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink base | Water-based dye | Pigment (oil-based) | Solvent |
| Best for | Paper, alcohol markers | Fine detail, watercolor | Glass, metal, plastic |
| Alcohol markers | Yes | Smears unless heat-set (stampers) | Can smear (stampers) |
| Watercolor over it | Not the usual choice | Yes, once dry | Yes |
| Heat embossing | Not sold for it | Glossy and coated surfaces | Not stated |
Details come from the sources in each guide. For the full picture, see our VersaFine Onyx Black and StazOn ink pad guides. For a US-made permanent black under watercolor, see our Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black guide.
What sizes does Memento Tuxedo Black come in?
The two common formats are the full-size rectangle and the teardrop-shaped Dew Drop.
- Full size (ME-000-900, Memento L): 99 × 68 mm with a 76 × 47 mm inking surface, for most stamps in one press. Sold outside Japan.
- Dew Drop (MD-900): 33 × 50 mm with a 24 × 39 mm inking surface. Dew Drops are also sold in 4- and 12-color sets that include Tuxedo Black.
- Marker (PM-000-900): a dual-tip Tuxedo Black marker, 12 mm across and 171 mm long per Tsukineko, for inking parts of a stamp or touching up. Tsukineko’s Japanese site announced on August 10, 2026 that Memento markers would stop selling with orders taken on September 4, 2026, so expect remaining stock only.
Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black (ML-900) is a separate pigment ink. Simon Says Stamp says it becomes permanent on non-paper surfaces when heat-set.
How do you re-ink a Memento pad?
Use a matching Memento dye re-inker (RM-900 in Japan), which Tsukineko lists as a 15 ml (about 0.5 oz) bottle. Tsukineko says the inkers can also be mixed to make new colors, and its Japanese site notes they are made to order, so allow time if stock runs out.
Don’t mix in a Memento Luxe refill: it is a pigment ink for a different pad, also sold in 0.5 oz bottles.
Which should you choose?
Choose Memento Tuxedo Black if you color stamped images with alcohol markers.
- Copics and other alcohol markers on smooth card: Memento.
- Watercolor or crisp text: VersaFine Onyx Black.
- Non-paper surfaces: StazOn.
- Blended backgrounds: the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink pad.
Where is Memento Tuxedo Black made?
A European retailer, Rittagraf, lists the full-size Memento pad as made in Japan. Tsukineko’s own product pages don’t state a country of manufacture.
Tsukineko’s Japanese company history says it was founded in 1952, built factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and set up a US subsidiary, Tsukineko, Inc., which has produced in Redmond, Washington, since 1994. Pads sold in the US could come from either, so check the box of the pad you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Memento Tuxedo Black recommended for Copic markers?
Tsukineko itself says Memento is the best choice for coloring with alcohol markers. It is a water-based dye ink, which alcohol markers don't reactivate the way they can some other inks, so the black outline stays put.
Do you have to wait for Memento to dry before coloring with Copics?
Only briefly. Tsukineko gives a drying time of 3 to 5 seconds on art paper and about 1 second on inkjet paper, varying with paper, climate and color. A short wait on smooth card is the safer habit.
Can you use watercolor over Memento Tuxedo Black?
Root & Co says not with a water brush or watercolor, even though Tsukineko describes Memento as more water-resistant than conventional dye inks. Stampers usually use VersaFine or StazOn under watercolor.
Can you heat emboss with Memento?
No. Root & Co's Memento listing says you can't use it for heat embossing. For embossing, use a pigment ink such as VersaFine Clair.
What is the difference between Memento and Memento Luxe?
Memento is a dye ink; Memento Luxe is a separate pigment line. Simon Says Stamp says Luxe Tuxedo Black becomes permanent on non-paper surfaces when heat-set.
How big is a Memento ink pad?
Tsukineko lists the full-size Memento L at 99 × 68 × 19 mm with a 76 × 47 mm inking surface, and the Dew Drop at 33 × 50 × 20 mm with a 24 × 39 mm inking surface.
Where are Memento ink pads made?
Rittagraf lists the full-size Memento pad as made in Japan. Tsukineko has factories in Saitama, Japan, and a US subsidiary that has produced in Washington state since 1994, and its product pages don't state the origin, so check the box.
Sources
- メメント｜紙用水性染料インク｜株式会社ツキネコ (Tsukineko Japan product page: Dew Drop MD-900 ¥430 + tax, inker ¥540 + tax, acid-free water-based dye, drying time, recommended for alcohol markers)
- MEMENTO | Water-Based Dye Ink for Paper | TSUKINEKO (Tsukineko English product page: Memento L ME-000-900, UPC, body and inking-surface sizes, 15 ml inker, marker)
- 一部商品の製造・販売終了のお知らせ (Tsukineko Japan notice, August 10, 2026: Memento markers end with orders on September 4, 2026)
- 会社案内-沿革 (Tsukineko Japan company history: founded 1952, Yoshikawa factories, TSUKINEKO, INC. producing in Redmond, Washington, from 1994)
- Rittagraf: Memento ink pad 7.7 × 4.7 cm (made in Japan)
- Tidformera: Memento Dew Drop pads (about 32 × 50 mm per pad)
- Root & Co: Tsukineko Memento Dew Drop inks (dye-based, alcohol markers, no heat embossing or watercolor)
- Simon Says Stamp: Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink pad ML-900
- Simon Says Stamp: Memento Tuxedo Black dual-tip marker PM-000-900
- eBay.de: Tsukineko Memento dye re-inker 900 Tuxedo Black (ended listing)
- Walmart: Tsukineko Memento Dye Inkpad Tuxedo Black (sold by Tsukineko/Imagine)