scrappilyeverafter

alisonrasmussen
independentmanager#879

Rubber stamping is a creative paper art for artists and crafters of every level. While it may be intimidating to get started, it only takes the creation of one hand-stamped item to make a hobby out of this craft!

Rubber stamps are molded designed and pressed into rubber, then mounted with cushion (necessary for an evenly stamped image) and on a block. For more information about mounting rubber stamps, visit our mounting page.

To stamp an image, you will want to either color the image with brush-tipped markers or ink the stamp. Be sure you ink the stamp, not stamp the ink. For best results, you will want to be sure to tap the stamp onto the ink pad several times, checking for even coverage, before stamping on paper. Practice on a piece of scrap paper first, if you like. When pressing the inked stamp down on the paper, do it as squarely as possible, without rocking the stamp. This will ensure a clear image.

After stamping the image, there are many options available for embellishing the image. You can use different colors and textures of paper to mat the image, color the image in with markers, pencils, paint or chalk, emboss the image, cut the image out, and even add more stamped images! The possibilities are endless.

When you have finished stamping, you will want to be sure to clean the stamp with stamp cleaner and let it dry. Stamp cleaners will keep your stamps conditioned as well as clean. Pigment and metallic ink often take a little extra work to get clean, so you might want to use a scrubber for the best results.

Store your stamps in a place that is convenient for use and also that will allow you to peruse your images. The stamps, when stacked, should be kept rubber to rubber, or mount to mount, for best results. Keep your stamps in a cool dry place to prevent overheating or melting. Indoors is ideal.

With the many types of ink available, you're no longer limited to stamping on paper. You can use stamps to decorate walls, furniture and lamps, light switch plates and outlet covers, gift bags (including cellophane!) and boxes, wrapping paper and tissue, scrapbook pages and embellishments, candles, wood, fabric (any clothes you can imagine!), paper plates, cups and napkins, party favors, cookies, and more!

Because of copyright legislation, if you decide to sell your hand-stamped items (even online or on Ebay), be sure the image you use has an "angel policy" first. All the stamps on this site have an angel policy, which allows the buyer use of the copyrighted images for personal and commercial uses, provided each item is stamped by hand and no mechanical reproduction is used. Check with individual stamp manufacturers for details.

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