embossing powder does not stick to distress ink.

the embossing powder does not stick to the distress ink and the ink dry immediately after stamping on paper.

As much as many of us love Distress inks, they really are not much good for embossing. As you have already discovered, they dry much too quickly. Look for inks that are labeled "pigment ink" or, if you do not need a colored ink, try Watermark ink. I would strongly urge you to go on-line and research both inks and embossing techniques and then try again. I like a quick start as much as anyone; but I have found that if I take the time to research something that is new to me, the process goes much better and I actually save time. Good luck in your endeavors, and don't give up.

I was able to emboss Distress Stain used on one of my layouts! Of course, it 'flooded' a bit. Still gotta work on that.

Yes, Distress inks are water-based and will dry at once. They are not intended for embossing powders. Embossing powder needs something sticky to attach to, so you need pigment ink, or embossing ink which is basically clear adhesive on a pad.

I agree with all the other posters - Distress Ink won't stay "wet" long enough for the powder to stick.

I like using Versamark. I've been able to get consistently good results and have had my ink pad for years, although my ink pad is larger than this small cube:

If you feel it imperative to emboss distress ink, you must work fast. Have everything right there ready to go. Stamp, drop the stamp, apply the powder. Then you can eliminate the excess powder and heat. If you have everything set up, you can quickly re powder and heat again. I found the whole thing difficult to learn because I had too many hesitations. Being old, slow and shaky was my handicap(s). I now have it down pat. Messy, but down pat.

Even though they're not pigment inks, you can also emboss with Stampin Up's newer style stamp pads, as long as you move quickly.

TH has one specifically for embossing, it is in a container similar to the distress inks.