I use the pounce pad when my fabric is dark and the pens can't be seen. It is messy, and if you are very allergic this could be a problem. I do not use the pounce stencils cause the pounce pad can be used with any stencil, so there is no need to buy the special ones that the pounce company makes. The pounce pad has its uses with the dark colors and I use both the white chalk and the blue chalk (though not as much).