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Stamps for Card Making

Stamping is a fun and creative hobby for all ages and is widely used in card making.

Stamps may be used for...

• Images
• Sentiments
• Outlines 
• Backgrounds 

There are two types of stamps:

Rubber Stamps for Card Making

Rubber stamps for card making are either mounted or unmounted.

Mounted stamps arrive ready assembled on a wooden block with a picture of the image on the top. Older stamps may also have a wooden handle to help distribute the pressure of the ink from the stamp to the paper.

Rubber stamps are also sold unmounted with wooden blocks for permanent self assembly.

Mounted stamps take up a lot of storage space and are more expensive.

A cheaper option is the rubber cling mounted stamps. These are repositionable for mounting on reusable acrylic blocks. As they are removed from the blocks after use they are less bulky and easier to store.

Rubber is tough and if the stamps are cleaned correctly should last you a long time.

Clear Stamps

Clear stamps or acrylic/photopolymer stamps are transparent and flexible. They are used with reusable acrylic blocks.

So, what’s the advantage of the clear stamps?

• As the stamps and blocks are clear you can see where you are stamping. This allows for greater accuracy.

• The shape of the stamps can be manipulated into a different shape. This is useful for sentiments.

• Clear stamps are easier to store. They take up less room as they are removed from the acrylic blocks and stored on plastic backing sheets.

• They are cheaper

The downside is that they don’t last as long and are more likely to stain.

Acrylic blocks come in all shapes and sizes.  Some blocks have indentations on the outside for your fingers.

Caring for Your Stamps

It is important to clean your stamps after use and store them correctly.

Wipe stamps with damp kitchen towel or an alcohol free baby wipe. Rubber stamps can be cleaned gently with a toothbrush and water. Be careful not to soak the wood.

The best method is to use a specialist stamp cleaner as it also conditions the stamps. This can be used with a stamping scrub.

Some inks will stain your stamps especially the darker colours. This doesn’t affect the stamped image.

Once clean store your stamps out of direct sunlight.

Rubber stamps should be stored rubber side down.

Clean stamps are stored on a stamp sheet sometimes in a plastic box (CD or DVD box) or wallet.

Tips for using Your Stamps

• Tap your stamp onto the ink pad - don't pull it across the ink pad.

• For larger stamps turn the stamp upside down and tap the ink pad to the stamp.

• Stamp on a firm surface. For clear stamps you might prefer to use a stamping mat.

• Press your stamp with an even pressure.

• Test your inked stamp on scrap paper before stamping on your card.

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