Stamping Tips

How to Get the Best Results from Your Rubber Stamps

Choose the Right Stamp

When picking a art stamp, you can choose one with a design cut evenly and deeply into the rubber. These will produce a sharper more detailed image.

Other stamps are deliberately cut shallower to create a soft, diffused type of image that seem to be very popular lately. Of course, you only want the actual design to make contact with the paper, no matter which type you prefer.

I prefer a plastic or wood block or handle. They seem to make it easier to apply the ink evenly without smudging.

Rubber Stamping Ink

Almost any type of paint or ink can be used for rubber stamping, but you will usually get a more vibrant image when you use thicker inks.

In order to avoid smudged edges or blurry images, don't apply too much ink to the pad.

How to Stamp

Stamp on a flat, hard surface, and don't rock or otherwise move the stamp when it is in contact with the paper. For most images, only light pressure is necessary.

Moving the stamp other than up and down will cause blurry or smudged images.

Here are two stamping tips on how to add dimension, making your stamped project uniquely yours.

Rubber Stamping Tips: Masking

You can make an artistic arrangement using a single decorative stamp with the technique of "masking" - which means just what it says - putting a mask on part of your project to protect it.

For example, if you have a lovely stamp of a single rose, picture a bouquet of roses.

Stamp the first rose on your project; then stamp it onto a scrap paper to cut out and form your mask. Place the mask over the first rose to protect it; then stamp a second rose slightly angled and overlapping the first.

Continue masking and stamping until you have a full bouquet. All the better if your stamp is reversible.

If not, you can make your own reverse stamp using Magic Stamp moldable foam by Clearsnap (formerly known as Penscore). The image will not be as sharp as the original, so will add yet more variety to your design.

Rubber Stamping Tips: The Third Dimension

Any symmetrical decorative stamp like a pineapple, butterfly, heart, sun or dragonfly, can be given three dimensions. Stamp the design onto your project and onto a second piece of paper.

Cut out the second and gently crease it down the middle. Glue it atop the first stamp and fluff the edges.

Rubber Stamp Care

Finally keep your rubber stamps dry and clean. If you're stamping with ink, I think it is best to use one of the commercially sold ink removers on the market.

You can use blotters, cleaning pads, paper towels or even small brushes to make sure the stamp is free of ink or paint before you store it.

Store your stamps rubber side down on a soft surface and in a single layer to prevent damaging, clogging or compressing the design.

Once you're proficient at basic art stamping, you may want to take your designs to the next level by wet embossing all or parts of your stamped design.

For more stamping tips and ideas on how to make your own stamps, please visit How to Make Your Own Decorative Stamps.