Koala T Crafts: STAMP SCHOOL 101

Beginner Stamping

Watching tutorials and demonstrations can be overwhelming for someone that has yet to dirty a stamp. Relax! Let's just chat about stamping and leave all the rest for future blogs!

Wooden block mounted, cling rubber, silicone, acrylic, polypropylene, and clear stamps

Rubber Stamps

Rubber stamps are most commonly found mounted on wooden blocks. They are etched from red (or purple, yellow, green, gray or blue) rubber and attached to a block to make it easier to handle. Most come with a print of the exact image on the opposite side of the block. These stamps have often been mounted with foam in between the rubber and the wood.

Foam mounted between rubber and wooden block

This foam is used to cushion the rubber in order to make a good impression. There is just enough cushion to make sure the stamp surface makes solid contact with the paper.

There are some rubber mounted stamps that do not have the cushion. In this case, a stamping mat can be placed under the paper to help with a good impression.

Sizzix Accessory Mini Stamper Secret Weapon

Some rubber stamps are considered a cling stamp. They do not have the block but they do have the foam mounted to them. The foam has a surface that allows it to stick or 'cling' to a non-porous surface.

Cling Rubber Stamps

Rubber mounted on foam that
is mounted on a film that clings

Stampendous Cling Rubber Stamp, "Stack of Books"

Clear Stamps

Clear stamps are just that, they are made to be able to see through the acrylic block and through the stamp to the spot where you want your image! Clear stamps come packaged between two plastic sheets, one with the image printed on it. This makes them easy to store and keep clean.

Clear stamps can be made from different materials, High-quality clear stamps have a pleasant smell about them. They sometimes become stained after use. Don't fret! This is normal. This quality of stamp is made from photopolymer.

Photopolymer Clear Stamp

There are clear stamps that are made from silicone. These stamps tend to stretch when pulled from the carrier sheet. Occasionally they are difficult to keep attached to your acrylic block. They give a good impression as well as photopolymer stamps.

Silicone Stamp

Hot Off The Press On Butterfly Wings Acrylic Stamp Sheet, 6" by 8"

(TIP: a little bit of Aleene's Tack it Over and Over dried on the flat surface should make it stick and removable. Sometimes just wash it with Dawn dish liquid and let it air dry. Cloths and baby wipes tend to leave small fibers that build up and prevent a clear stamped image.)

It is wise to wash your used stamps right away after use. A baby wipe of any brand or a stamp shammy will do the trick! Don't let the inks or Versamark dry on, time after time. This may prevent a clear image when stamped.

Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Stamp Shammy

The stamp shammy will discolor with use, but can be rinsed out in the sink and reused again and again and again!

Future Blogs

Watch for future blogs on how to use the different type of stamps and the different tools that are available. Click on the pictures above to go to more information about each product picture.

If you have any comments, please leave them below.

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Remember, great things happen to those that create!

Artistically Yours,