Stamps - Stamping

Embossing 1. Tap the stamp gently on a pigment ink pad. Stamp firmly onto almost any clean surface (avoid glass, metal, waxy or oily surfaces.) 2. Dust the image with embossing powder, this will stick to the wet ink. Tap off the excess and return to the jar/vial for future use. Remove unwanted powder (from finger prints etc) with a small paint brush. 3. Heat the powdered image with a heat source (this can be a heat gun, toaster etc.) Remove the heat source as soon as the powder melts for a raised finish to the image. (Over heating may cause the melted powder to appear flat, dull or soak into the paper surface.) Allow a minute for the image to cool before touching. To achieve a really good result when embossing try not to touch and handle the paper or card too much as the oils in your fingers will adhere and the powder will stick where it is not wanted. Not using handcream prior to stamping makes this job easier also. An anti static pad is an ideal addition to your stamping supplies, this may be wiped over the surface prior to stamping and this greatly reduces any particles sticking to the paper or card outside the image area. Embossing powders are very sensitive to heat, humidity and moisture and this can cause the powder to clump. Keep your powders in a cool, dry place in a well sealed container. Double embossing can also create a deep finish, while the image is still hot, sprinkle with another coat of powder, remove excess and heat again. After you have completed your project, you may wish to create an enameled look to the piece. Cover the entire project with clear embossing ink e.g. Perfect Medium, Versamark etc by tapping the pad over the project and then sprinkling clear embossing powder over the top and heating the powder this well give the enameled finish. Stain Glass effects can also be achieved, these work best with open designs. Stamp and emboss the image as usual, then fill in each area one by one with pigment ink (from an ink pad or refill bottle) and sprinkle your powder over each section and heat. The embossing powder will only adhere to the inked areas so you may work through the project using different colours.

Acrylic Stamps - How to Best Care for them Keep them clean and dry and away from direct sunlight. Light exposure may cause the plate to yellow, but this will not affect the stamp quality. As most of the inks you will use are water based, they can be cleaned under running water if necessary (do not soak). For periodic cleaning of stamps with a build up of dry ink or paper lint, or when using permanent or fabric inks, you will need to use a Stamp Cleaner. To improve the transfer of dye based inks from polymer stamps with large solid areas, lightly sand the print surface with the finest wet/dry sandpaper. Place a flat sheet of sandpaper on the table and lightly rub the stamp over, rotating the stamp to give an even abrasion. You will be amazed at the results. Print Blocks Pty Ltd. has supplied these tips.

Stamp Cleaning Stamps should be cleaned after each use, caring for your stamps is just as important as using them. Depending on the type of ink used different cleaning methods is needed. For most inks plain water is all that is required to clean your stamps, this can be sprayed onto a stamp cleaning pad there are several available on the market today. Some have fine soft fibers others have rubber bases to prevent movement while rubbing your stamp over the surface. For detailed stamps these are the best choice as the brush will clean crevices and heavily inked areas. Wood mounted stamps should not be washed under running water as the wood gets too wet and over time this may warp and the mounting foam will also deteriorate and loose its grip on the mount. Should the foam or rubber peel away from the wood, reattach it with an adhesive like contact cement. A quick mobile cleaning unit that can be used on most ink is a container of baby wipes (alcohol free), simply rub your stamp over the top wipe. When this layer is soiled remove it and use the fresh one underneath. For permanent inks a stamp cleaner is required to remove the ink and this should be done as soon after use as possible to reduce staining of your stamps. Again there are many available on the market. Some inks come with a manufacturers recommended stamp cleaner. When drying off your stamps after the various methods of cleaning always use a well used soft cloth (such as an old tea towel) to reduce the fluff or fibre sticking to the stamp, which will interfere with stamping the image next time. Natural oils found in rubber can dry it and make it harder than normal. This can be remedied with a mild cleaner or conditioner. Using stamps lengths their lifespan, use provides continual lubrication for the rubber.

Stamp Protection of Wood Mounts Applying a layer or two of varnish, nail polish etc to the wood mount around the rubber image will prevent ink absorbing into the wood grain. This also makes it easier to remove ink from the wood when cleaning.

Stamping 1. Ink the stamp by tapping it lightly on the ink pad, until the image is well covered (you may turn your stamp over to look and see if it is well covered). Tapping the ink pad onto the stamp, which is on your work surface, more easily inks larger stamps. When working with multi coloured ink pads ensure that you tap the stamp evenly over the ink pad so as not to contaminate the ink colours by moving into another colour area. 2. Place the stamp firmly down onto your card or paper applying even pressure (ensure that your work surface is flat and smooth.) For larger images hold the stamp in position with one hand and walk your fingers of the other hand over the image applying pressure evening over the stamp. Standing to create a large image is also sometimes helpful and makes the applying of pressure a little easier. 3. Remove the stamp from the card or paper straight upwards to avoid smudging or blurring your image. 4. Allow the image to dry for a few minutes prior to touching it.