Tips for Perfect Stamping

If you have a new photopolymer stamp set, rub it on your skin to remove the thin film on the stamps. Alternatively ink and stamp on scrap paper a number of times until you get a good, clean image. This is just another way of wearing off the thin film on the stamps.

Ink up your stamp well. Either tap and turn the stamp gently on your ink pad a few times, look to make sure all of the the image is covered with ink, or test it on scrap paper. Alternatively leave your stamp face up on the table and tap the ink pad onto the stamp. You are less likely to get ink on the edges of the rubber stamps. Always use this method for larger or background stamps.

Note: If you do get ink on the edges of your rubber stamp, clean it off and start again. Don’t press so hard into the ink pad. If you don’t clean your stamp there is a chance you will get odd line marks of ink on your project if the edge of the stamp hits your paper.

To stamp – press your inked stamps straight down onto your paper or card stock. Hold for a few seconds with an even pressure so the ink transfers from the stamp to the paper. Lift the stamp off the paper, lifting straight up. There is no need to rock your stamp or press really hard. Just make sure all of the stamp touches the paper and hold an even pressure.

Use a Stamparatus. This tool will help you to stamp multiple times in the one spot should you not get a clear stamped image the first time. You can reink and restamp your image in exactly the same spot. The Stamparatus is a great tool when stamping large or background stamps. Click here to read how to use and look after your Stamparatus.

When stamping background stamps, either use a Stamparatus or place your stamp on a matching clear block. With the stamp face up on the table, ink up your stamp. Take your card stock and place it on top of the stamp face. Take a piece of scrap paper, larger than the stamp, and place it on top of the card stock. Rub your hands all over the stamp area giving the ink time to transfer to your card stock. Lift off the scrap paper, carefully lift off your stamped card stock, making sure not to scrape it across the stamp and smear your image.

Whenever possible use a clear block that is just slightly larger than your image. It is easier to hold an even pressure when you stamp if you do.