How do you ink the inner edges of die cuts, etc?

I'm working on a layout where all the elements have inked edges. I am using a Colorbox cat eye chalk ink, dark brown, for all the inking. For the larger pieces of paper and circle die cuts it is easy to ink the edges. But I also have a die cut title which I need to ink. Inking the outside edges of the words and letters is fairly easy, but it is nearly impossible (for me at least) to ink the inner edges of letters, like the center of a letter "a" or "e" (not to mention between letters as it is a connected word) with the cat's eye, even using the corner of it.

So I tried using a q-tip, transferring some ink from the ink pad to the q-tip, but the cotton kept getting unraveled. There has got to be an easier way!

I was thinking of getting some of those makeup sponges from the drug store, and cutting off a little piece and holding it an alligator clip stylus, inking that up from the ink pad and seeing if that works any better.

What do you think? How do you do this?

I do it just like you did...the qtip that comes unraveled and is irritating, but i bet those makeup sponges would be perfect. I even have some and never though to try it. Thanks!

I use small artist paint brushes....the stencil brushes are a bit firmer and make the control easier!!

Hope this helps!!

Makeup sponges are great!!

Eyeshadow applicators work great!!

Makeup sponges, paintbrushes, little pompons ... I've used them all, and all seem to work. You've already discovered that cotton swabs don't -- the hard way, like I did.

I just bought a package of disposable eye shadow applicators and tried them, they worked great! Thanks for a great idea!

Thanks for the eyeshadow applicator tip! I just keep using a new Qtip. Talk about agravating! LOL

If you don't have other tools, how about gentle 'squeezing' the letter so you get a slight curve at the tighter spot and using the cats eye then? I think I have done this myself...but I can't remember for sure how small the item/space was I was trying to ink....guess I'll be trying that out when I get off here.

qtip, or makeup sponge cut with an edge, anything cheapo

I use my Tombo w dual-tip markers--the paintbrush end.

I buy packages of makeup sponges at the local flea market. I cut them up and use those. Also, I have recently found that the lollipop sticks you can get at M's for candy making are made of paper. I shave a point in one end and use those for ink transfer to inner spots. Kinda like a budget version of the paper stubs used in artist blending. When done with that color I can then lop off the end with my wire cutters and sharpen for the next color.