Three Steps to Perfect Stamping

Stamping sounds so easy, doesn't it? You buy a stamp, put some ink on it, and rap it on the paper, right? Wrong!

You may find your images smudge, twist or look a bit blobby with this method of stamping. That's not usually what a stamper wants. Well, I am going to tell you about the little secrets for creating stamped images that you may not have seen before. But let's start a couple of steps before you start stamping. Let's look at the quality of the stamp and the type of ink you are going to buy.

Before you buy your stamp, it is important to examine the rubber or acrylic and decide if the image is carefully chiselled out. A good stamp will be made of a firmer, high quality rubber or acrylic and the image will be finely and deeply cut. If you buy a stamp that is softer and less well defined, that is the type of image you will get from it, regardless of your technique.

Now consider the ink you want to use. There are actually five basic types of inks and each one gives you a different effect. There are dye based, pigment based, permanent, fabric and embossing inks. Which one will produce the result you want? Here's some ideas about how to choose between them:

Dye Based inks are water based so they react to water or paint or other moisture by smudging. What they do is stain the paper, so if you want to colour your stamped images somehow, don't choose dye-based inks. If you want a quick drying ink or crisp images that you don't want to colour or alter in any way, choose dye based inks. You will also get a softer colour with dye based inks. You can usually clean this type of ink off your stamps with water, but be careful not to saturate and therefore warp any stamps mounted on wooden blocks.

Pigment inks are also water based but they are made differently to dye based inks. They have little particles of colour in them so they are brighter than dye inks and are less likely to smudge. They are best used on matte paper. When you use them on glossy cardstock, they will smudge if touched. They also take longer to dry so you can put embossing powder on them and heat set that.

Permanent ink is just that - a quick setting, water resistant ink. You can stamp on many surfaces with it - glossy cardstock, glass, acetate, even wood or paint. Once in place and dry the image is there to stay. This type of ink will also stain your stamp unless you use the specially made permanent ink cleaner solution that usually can be found on the shelf at the store next to the permanent inks.

Fabric ink is made for stamping on fabric and you will probably need to 'set' it by ironing over it once you have stamped your image. You can use fabric ink on other surfaces too (such as on chipboard). It is a semi-permanent ink so use a stamp cleaner with it to avoid staining your stamps.

Embossing inks are stickier and take longer to dry so they are perfect for catching and holding on to embossing powders. Just be careful not to touch an embossed image till it has been heat set or it will smudge. If you stamp on coloured cardstock with clear embossing ink, your image will be two tones darker than the colour of the cardstock. You'll need a stamp cleaner for this type of ink, too.

OK. Once you have chosen your ink, you are ready to start stamping. The three secrets for crisp, clear images are:

1. Place your stamp face-down on your ink pad, and tap it on the pad. Avoid pushing the stamp into the ink pad as you will wind up with too much ink on the stamp and this in turn will make your images smudged or imperfect. Now turn the stamp over and check to see if all areas of the image have been evenly inked up. If not, turn the stamp face down again and tap it on the ink pad till it is properly inked up.
2. Turn your stamp over again and hold it firmly in your two hands by the edges. Lower it onto your paper as straight as you can. Press the stamp in the middle with a finger, then press around the edges of the image to be sure all of the image has had contact with the paper. Be careful not to press so hard that you tilt or buckle the stamp.
3. Next, carefully and smoothly lift the stamp straight up from the paper, avoiding tilting or twisting the stamp.

You should have a clean, crisp, complete image!

More stamping tips:

If you have a very large stamp, turn it face up on your table. Tap the ink onto the stamp, checking to be sure it is all properly inked up. You may find you get a better result if you place your paper on the stamp and carefully smooth it over with your hand before lifting the paper straight up and off the stamp. This way you avoid any 'missed' spots caused by imperfections in the surface of a large stamp.

Do try to clean your stamps before the ink dries on them. Using a stamp cleaner will condition the rubber and maintain the quality of the images.

Now you now the three steps to perfect stamping.Perfection can be achieved if you practice these steps. It could take some practice before you consistently get perfect results, but the time you may spend doing that is worth it!

Tag : stamps,perfect stamping,step

Three Steps to Perfect Stamping

Stamping sounds so easy, doesn't it? You buy a stamp, put some ink on it, and rap it on the paper, right? Wrong!

You may find your images smudge, twist or look a bit blobby with this method of stamping. That's not usually what a stamper wants. Well, I am going to tell you about the little secrets for creating stamped images that you may not have seen before. But let's start a couple of steps before you start stamping. Let's look at the quality of the stamp and the type of ink you are going to buy.

Before you buy your stamp, it is important to examine the rubber or acrylic and decide if the image is carefully chiselled out. A good stamp will be made of a firmer, high quality rubber or acrylic and the image will be finely and deeply cut. If you buy a stamp that is softer and less well defined, that is the type of image you will get from it, regardless of your technique.

Now consider the ink you want to use. There are actually five basic types of inks and each one gives you a different effect. There are dye based, pigment based, permanent, fabric and embossing inks. Which one will produce the result you want? Here's some ideas about how to choose between them:

Dye Based inks are water based so they react to water or paint or other moisture by smudging. What they do is stain the paper, so if you want to colour your stamped images somehow, don't choose dye-based inks. If you want a quick drying ink or crisp images that you don't want to colour or alter in any way, choose dye based inks. You will also get a softer colour with dye based inks. You can usually clean this type of ink off your stamps with water, but be careful not to saturate and therefore warp any stamps mounted on wooden blocks.

Pigment inks are also water based but they are made differently to dye based inks. They have little particles of colour in them so they are brighter than dye inks and are less likely to smudge. They are best used on matte paper. When you use them on glossy cardstock, they will smudge if touched. They also take longer to dry so you can put embossing powder on them and heat set that.

Permanent ink is just that - a quick setting, water resistant ink. You can stamp on many surfaces with it - glossy cardstock, glass, acetate, even wood or paint. Once in place and dry the image is there to stay. This type of ink will also stain your stamp unless you use the specially made permanent ink cleaner solution that usually can be found on the shelf at the store next to the permanent inks.

Fabric ink is made for stamping on fabric and you will probably need to 'set' it by ironing over it once you have stamped your image. You can use fabric ink on other surfaces too (such as on chipboard). It is a semi-permanent ink so use a stamp cleaner with it to avoid staining your stamps.

Embossing inks are stickier and take longer to dry so they are perfect for catching and holding on to embossing powders. Just be careful not to touch an embossed image till it has been heat set or it will smudge. If you stamp on coloured cardstock with clear embossing ink, your image will be two tones darker than the colour of the cardstock. You'll need a stamp cleaner for this type of ink, too.

OK. Once you have chosen your ink, you are ready to start stamping. The three secrets for crisp, clear images are:

1. Place your stamp face-down on your ink pad, and tap it on the pad. Avoid pushing the stamp into the ink pad as you will wind up with too much ink on the stamp and this in turn will make your images smudged or imperfect. Now turn the stamp over and check to see if all areas of the image have been evenly inked up. If not, turn the stamp face down again and tap it on the ink pad till it is properly inked up.
2. Turn your stamp over again and hold it firmly in your two hands by the edges. Lower it onto your paper as straight as you can. Press the stamp in the middle with a finger, then press around the edges of the image to be sure all of the image has had contact with the paper. Be careful not to press so hard that you tilt or buckle the stamp.
3. Next, carefully and smoothly lift the stamp straight up from the paper, avoiding tilting or twisting the stamp.

You should have a clean, crisp, complete image!

More stamping tips:

If you have a very large stamp, turn it face up on your table. Tap the ink onto the stamp, checking to be sure it is all properly inked up. You may find you get a better result if you place your paper on the stamp and carefully smooth it over with your hand before lifting the paper straight up and off the stamp. This way you avoid any 'missed' spots caused by imperfections in the surface of a large stamp.

Do try to clean your stamps before the ink dries on them. Using a stamp cleaner will condition the rubber and maintain the quality of the images.

Now you now the three steps to perfect stamping.Perfection can be achieved if you practice these steps. It could take some practice before you consistently get perfect results, but the time you may spend doing that is worth it!

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,photo stamps,oid stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Luke

Personalized Rubber Stamps

In an ever-expanding corporate environment, the need to have an individual identity is a must to stand out from the crowd and get noticed. There are several ways of making this statement such as brand advertising, promotion campaigns and a personalized logo. However, a very subtle yet effective method used to highlight a person or organization’s individuality is the use of personalized rubber stamps.

A personalized rubber stamp allows the users to craft their own design, logo, slogan or signature for the stamp. The engravings in the rubber base are made exactly according to the need of the user, adding to the tailor-made approach. These rubber stamps also make the perfect gift for any occasion.

Personalized rubber stamps come in various shapes and sizes and focus on the minutest of details. Wood handle stamps are one of the most unique personalized stamps. Unlike other commercial stamps, these stamp handles are custom made to match the size of the rubber die. Other variations include personal signatures, images and logos. Since these stamps are made for a specific individual or organization, their size and shape can also be customized.

Personalized rubber stamps are usually made with real red rubber using laser engraver process. This process helps create the finest details in any stamp, may it be text based or an image. Personalized rubber stamps maybe used for a variety of purposes, such as stamping important documents, decorating greeting cards and wallpapers, certifying documents, and creating art tabletops.

Personalized rubber stamps are the best way to create a lasting impression of individuality. The stamps can also be designed as gifs for several occasions, including those designed to represent different zodiac signs for a person’s birthday. Whether representing an organization, an individual or just an abstract thought, these stamps are sure to leave a positive impression.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,postage stamps,photo stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Scrapbook Stamps

Scrapbook stamps have been around for nearly 20 years. Nothing makes your pages or cards more personal than stamping and creating your own. Stamping is even easier now days with the new acrylic stamps that are available. Let me tell you about some of the benefits of using the new acrylic stamp sets and blocks.

Stamps have come along way over the years. We have all used those bulky wooden blocks that took up our whole scrapbook rooms to store. Not to mention that when we stamped with them, it was so final, no fixing out mistakes or adding the little accents with a perfect placement. It was all a guessing game and you just closed your eyes and prayed you "hit your mark". Not anymore, with the new clear acrylic stamps, it has taken scrapbook stamping to a whole new level.

The acrylic stamps are stored in a thin envelope and the clear blocks are stored in there own case. Once you have the blocks, you do not have to keep buying them, they are reusable for all the acrylic stamps. The new and improved scrapbook stamps are lightweight and easy to store and transport anywhere. Not to mention that when using the clear stamps, everyone becomes an expert and most importantly they offer you creative control from project to project. With the clear stamps on the clear block, you will be able to see exactly where you are placing each one which makes it easier to add your accents with matching stamps. You can mix and match stamps sets to create your own creative designs, backgrounds, and boarders.

Using the stamps is easy, simply remove the stamp from the clear carrier sheet and place on the appropriate size block. When using alphabet stamps; simply follow the line guide on the block to create a straight line. This is perfect for titles or journaling. Once you have your stamps on the blocks, pick your color of ink and apply with a downward pressure. You will be able to see the coverage through the block, when it is just right, apply to your paper. Continue the process until you have completed the perfect design.

When you are finished, clean your Stamps off with acrylic cleaner or warm soapy water. When the stamps are clean, return them to the stamp carrier sheet for storage. If by chance they do not stick to the carrier, simply wash with warm soapy water and let them air dry. They will not lose their stickiness.

You will be amazed with these stamps; you will be able to create endless layouts and cards with just one stamp set. And, you will be able to have a bigger variety with all the space you will be saving with the sleek envelopes instead of the bulky wooden blocks. Not to mention that the acrylic are half the price of the wooden blocks!

Close To My Heart offers a complete line of Scrapbooking Stamps and Acrylic Blocks to make your Scrapbooking faster, easier and more enjoyable.

Tag : stamps,scrapbooking,rubber stamps,picture stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcy_Larsen

Rubber Stamps - Advice to Help Choose the Right Product For You

Many of you may have used rubber stamps before either while crafting or in the office. Rubber stamps are pieces of rubber that can be carved and molded into an image or pattern. The rubber can be mounted onto a stable block and then the ink is coated onto the design and then pressed onto some sort of fabric or paper so the colored image is transferred.

There are three basic types of stamps. These are listed below;

1) Regular Rubber Stamps

These are the basic kind that are used with a separate ink pad. They are easy to get hold of and cheap to buy. However they may be messy if not used properly. This type is ideal for crafters since you can own a variety of designs to decorate almost anything. However, these stamps are also perfect for office workers. The stamp does not need to be replaced only the inkpad when it runs out, which is another advantage.

2) Self-inking Stamps

These are mechanical stampers with an internal stamp pad attached. The stamp hits the internal inkpad using a swivel action between each use. The advantages of this type of stamp is that they are quick and easy to use making multiple stamping a breeze perfect for anyone working in an office where stamps are used on a regular basis. These are re-inkable and very reasonably priced. However, when the inkpad runs out you will need to buy the whole stamp. Brand names that you may have heard of include Ideal, Trodat, or Cosco.

3) Pre-inked Stamps

This type of stamp has dye impregnated onto the design. These pre-inked stamps can be split into three types. These are polymer gel pre-inks, the latest in technology flash stamps, and the laser engraved vulcanized rubber stamps. These types of stamps are a lot more expensive but are ideal for offices that use the same stamp over and over again, since they are durable and long lasting, cheap to re-ink, and made to the highest quality.

Stamping is considered to be a fantastic hobby where people can collect different designs while others enjoy the designs they can make with the stamps. These decorative stamps can be used on letters, greetings cards, banners, and other similar things to add that personalized touch.

The techniques involved in the art of rubberstamping are varied and you can find whole websites devoted to this subject. In fact there are even clubs that you can join so you can get together with others to make things and share techniques and even their stamps!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Whatmore

Clear Stamps and Scrapbooking - Clearly a Winning Combination

The unique qualities of clear acrylic stamps make them a perfect choice for scrapbooking. Stamping on scrapbook pages has always been a challenge. Placing the stamp and avoiding excess ink are a few of the concerns that keep most scrapbookers from trying stamping techniques on their page layouts, but now with the availability of clear acrylic stamps, anyone can get fantastic results from stamps on their scrapbooking pages.

Clear acrylic stamps, also called polymer stamps, are different from traditional wood block or foam-backed rubber stamps. They are more economical because they are not pre-mounted. Clear stamps are naturally tacky and stick to an acrylic block. They are easily removed allowing you to reuse the block again and again. You simply purchase unmounted clear stamps from any manufacturer, and these work with any clear acrylic mount. Buy a larger mount first that can be used with both small and large stamps. These stamps are also much easier to store, and because they are acrylic, they are lightweight and easy to transport to scrapbooking crops or classes.

Using clear stamps with scrapbooking couldn't be easier. Choose from words, designs and image clear stamps, and peel and stick them to an acrylic block. Now you're ready to start stamping. Because the block and stamp are transparent, you can see exactly where you want to place the imprint. No more misaligned prints! You will have precise placement every time and no more guesswork or stamping mistakes.

Another unique feature of clear acrylic stamps is the ability to mix and match them. With wood and rubber stamps you have to realign your stamps to use more than one stamp together. It takes at least 2 stamping imprints to achieve the same results with one acrylic block. While you can use your clear art stamps individually, the ability to peel and stick to a large acrylic block makes it easy to stamp entire phrases or scenes with one stamp. Just choose your stamps and arrange them all on one clear mount. They can even be from different stamp manufacturers. It's even possible to cut portions of one stamp apart and arrange them in a different pattern for stamping or use only a part of the stamp. Clear art stamps offer much more versatility and functionality than rubber stamps.

Because new stamps tend to resist ink, many scrapbookers recommend conditioning your clear stamps before you use them the first time. Some use a fine grit sandpaper and others prefer a pink eraser. Simply, scuff the surface of a brand new stamp. This will help it to hold ink more effectively. After stamping with ink, clean it with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid oil-based cleaners, acetone and bleach because these can damage and break down your stamp. Some scrapbookers have difficulty getting a crisp image from clear polymer stamps. To improve the quality of the ink impression, try using a cushioned-surface under your scrapbooking paper. A soft mouse pad works well for this purpose. Using this cushioning effect may take a bit of practice, but the results will be worth it.

Be sure to store your clear stamps in a dark place away from sunlight or indoor lighting. Light can discolor and harden them prematurely. Some inks can stain them, but this won't affect their use. Because they are polymer based, one downside is that they do not last as long as rubber stamps will, but with proper care and storage, you will get years of scrapbooking with quality images from your clear stamps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

Owl rubber stamp - Animal stamps offer many uses.

Animals are a great part of many aspects of our lives. They can be used in education, kept as pets, and observed in nature, just to name a few. People love to gather information on animals, document their activities, and make them a part of their memories. One great way to use animals and animal shapes in through rubber stamps. Rubber stamps, such as an owl rubber stamp, can be used in a wide variety of places and in a wide variety of ways.

The educational arena has a large number of uses for rubber stamps. Teachers and other educators can use rubber stamps for a wide variety of reasons including education, reward, projects, and motivation. If a teacher was teaching about animals, they could use an owl rubber stamp, along with other animals, to show students what an animal looks like or make flash cards using the stamps. They could use different shapes and colors to grade papers or give feedback. Stamps can also be used on motivational boards or checklists, where a stamp could be placed each time a student completed a project or got a certain score. Teachers can also collect stamps that can be used by students in arts and craft projects. Stamps can be used to decorate and create a number of projects. They are suitable for a wide range of ages and can be incorporated into any lesson plan.

Stamps can also be used in projects such as a scrapbook. Animal lovers, for example, can keep a collection of animal stamps that can be used to decorate collections of photographs or memorabilia from a sight seeing trip. It can also be used to decorate a page for certain seasons. An owl rubber stamp would be a perfect addition to any Halloween page in a scrapbook. Stamps can add a great deal to any scrapbook with a wide range of color and design.

Stamps of all shapes and sizes are easy to find. A great place to start and look is at your local craft store. Local craft stores often offer a wide assortment of stamps and all the supplies you need to go along with the stamps, such as ink. A new trend is stores that sell stamps and stamp making supplies exclusively. They often offer the best selection and assortment and their staff is usually very well educated in the craft of stamping. If either of these places don't carry the exact stamp you are looking for, quite often they can order it for you through their supplier network. Just ask one of their salespeople for help. If you enjoy using the Internet to order things, stamps are very easy to find through the web. A quick search through a search engine will find you a wide array of companies that you can order directly from.

Rubber stamps are a great addition to anyone's craft collection. Teachers, parents, students, and craft lovers can use them. The projects that can benefit from a rubber stamp are almost endless. Get your creative juices flowing and use a rubber stamp to get your project started.

About The Author:
Moises has been working for stamping industry for last 7 years. He created a website that has tips and advises about various rubber stamps. Come to http://www.bestrubberstamps.com to learn more about rubber stamps.

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Low Cost Embellishments for your Stamping Projects

While a hobby or craft store is a fantastic place to start looking for embellishments, a great alternative is your local hardware store. (You'll want to try Lowe's, Home Depot, and the hardware section of Wal-Mart.) These unique locations stock unique embellishments which make fabulous card making and scrapbook embellishments.

Indeed, your hardware store may be the best kept secret to finding the most inexpensive craft embellishments if you are willing to buy in larger quantities. We found many of the same embellishments in our hardware store, sold in larger quantities, and cheaper than had we purchased them at a craft and hobby store.

Wire is can be purchased in a wide array of colors such as copper, gold, and silver. Wire and hemp string make a great embellishment for scrapbooking since they add real depth of character and can be applied in so many different ways. Hemp is very versatile as well. You can twist wire pieces into perfect little curly cues or wrap them around a pencil. You might also try forming them around cookie cutter shapes to make hearts, bears, stars, or any other cookie cutter shape you have on hand. The limit for these two embellishments is only in your imagination!

Buying several different grits of sandpaper will allow you to test the effects of each one to create different looks of distressed paper and antiquing. Using a sanding sponge can be very helpful and will keep your hand clean and soft. Cut a piece of sandpaper to fit around the sanding sponge and you will have a solid grip while you distress the edges of your scrapbook paper or paper craft project.

Hardware stores have entire rows devoted to a wide array of hinges. You will also find many different textures ranging from classic to modern. You can paint a handful of hinges white at the same time to have on hand. All you need to do is stamp them with your favorite stamp pad to create a coordinated hinge for your projects!

Painting a hinge or other accessory is a great way to get the ideal match to your rubber stamp design. Even small keys or padlocks are cute on cards and can be painted to match the color scheme. Painting them is also a great way to give them a more girlie, chic, or classy look. It all depends on what style you're trying to create.

Why purchase five feet of chain when your project only requires a few inches? Your local hardware store is usually very helpful at making custom lengths of wire, which can often be purchased for a few pennies. Wire mesh, which can be found with the gutter supplies, looks fantastic on projects. You will probably have no trouble locating white, plastic wire mesh that can be stamped to any color you desire.

A simple trip to the hardware store, with a creative eye, is sure to yield wonderful, inexpensive embellishments that will give your scrapbooking project a fantastic look. Why wait, give it a try today!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/low-cost-embellishments-for-your-stamping-projects-90506.html

How to Purchase the Best Finishing Tools for Stamping

Whether you are just starting in rubber stamping or you're an avid hobbyist, one thing is for sure, you'll need an efficient way to cut and trim your paper craft designs. Whether your using card stock or glossy photo paper, having the right tool makes a big difference in the final look of the project. There are many different cutting and trimming tools used in rubber stamping and scrapbooking. We would like to give you a quick guide for these tools and explain the different types. Your finished paper craft project will look wonderful!

Some of the most popular trimming and cutting tools are the guillotine, personal paper, and rotary trimmer. In addition to these tools, paper punches, scoring blades, T-squares, and shape cutters are also important to have on hand before starting your next project.

The first paper trimmer to come to mind is the guillotine, which can be purchased at any office supply store. A straight blade is pulled directly over the paper to make a perfectly straight cut. Get a solid, well made trimmer with tight handle fittings. Most guillotine trimmers can cut between ten to twenty pieces of paper at a time. The guillotine handle should be made of metal or strong fiberglass and should not flex at all.

Rubber stamping and scrapbooking projects often need small, simple cuts to photos, mattes, and card stock. The personal paper trimmer is an excellent choice for the small routine trimming and can fit inside a desk drawer. Many of the smaller paper trimmers have special safety features that make them suitable for fast trimming of objects held by hand close to the cutting blade. This allows you to crop small pieces of card stock, trim photos, and matte scrapbook pages. Personal paper trimmers are not suitable for large paper trims or making long straight cuts.

The rotary trimmer has many advantages for rubber stamping and paper craft projects. The biggest benefit is the availability of many different decorative blades. If you decide to use a handheld rotary trimmer instead of a table top model, you'll need to purchase a good self-healing cutting mat. The cutting surface of the mat is designed to allow you to cut paper and even fabric without perceived wear.

Cutting a circle or oval shapes with scissors can be very difficult. Shape cutters have quickly become a favorite tool for paper craft artists. Shape cutters come with plastic templates that allow you to cut many different shape sizes.

Paper punches are the simplest way to insure that you have perfect cutout shapes on every scrapbooking layout. You can find many different styles and shapes. The most important thing to consider when purchasing a paper punch is the handle. Getting a paper punch that is easy to press goes a long way when you are making multiple items or many cards. Some of the best paper punches also have holding containers that will keep your work area free from punch scraps.

T-squares and the scoring blades are tools that can be very helpful while stamping and scrapbooking. Durable T-squares that will last many years can be purchased at your local hardware store. Cheaper styles can be purchased at a craft store. Buy a quality T-square that has a tooled edge for making perfectly straight lines and cuts. You will be able to line up corners and make perfect mattes. Scoring blades are used to make straight tears and folds along the corner edges of handmade greeting cards. Designer scoring blades allow you make decorative tears on scrapbooking paper and card stock.

Whether you're scrapbooking, cardmaking, or rubber stamp project is large or small having the proper cutting and trimming tools is very necessary. Having the right trimming and cutting tools helps make your paper craft project look its best. Having these simple cutting tools on hand will allow you to dive into those projects and come out with straight edges, crops, and trims every time. Always keep your tools sharp and out of the reach of small children. You're going to love each of the different cutting and trimming tools, and I suggest you get one of each to see the benefits clearly.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/how-to-purchase-the-best-finishing-tools-for-stamping-86013.html

Poinsettia Rubber Stamps - The Perfect Stamp For Christmas

Poinsettia rubber stamps are becoming one of the most popular stamps to purchase around Christmas time. They can be used to create stunning Christmas card ideas and can also be used when creating Christmas scrapbook page layouts.

Typically a poinsettia has red, pink or white leaves and a green stork. Due to a Mexican legend the poinsettia is associated with Christmas. It is said that many years ago a young child wanted to give a gift to Christ on Christmas eve but had no money. The child picked some weeds that were growing by the side of the road. After taking the weeds to church and placing them there the child told the congregation that god should gratefully receive the gift as it was given with love. The weeds bloomed into beautiful red and green flowers and the congregation felt that they had seen a miracle.

Poinsettia rubber stamps can come in a variety of sizes. Respectively the price will depend on the size of the stamp itself and more often than not the larger the stamp the higher the price.

One of the great things about Poinsettia rubber stamps are that you can use them to create beautiful decoupage images. Simply stamp the image more than once and decorate as you wish. The next step is to cut out extra leaves and apply them by using 3d foam pads.

Poinsettia rubber stamps are usually quite large. If you are using this design for your Christmas card making ideas then generally having this image on the front of the card is more than enough and will need very little further accessories to finish it off.

Poinsettia rubber stamps can also be used to create stunning background papers for either card making or scrapbooking. Experiment with different stamping techniques to see which one you like you best. By adding a few bits of ribbon and maybe some glitter soon you will have some stunning original designs that will really stand out and also keep with the Christmas theme.

When purchasing poinsettia rubber stamps or any stamps for that matter always check that the quality is good and there are no defects with the stamp. Also double check that the image has been mounted onto to the wooden block correctly and is in line with the image on the top of the wood. Occasionally when stamps are made the image on the top does not match the image underneath causing many problems when trying to line the print up.

To keep your poinsettia rubber stamps in pristine condition it is vital that you clean them after every use. Always remember to store them away from sharp objects to avoid any of the rubber being damage as this will affect the image when printing.

About the Author

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Card Making Ideas also providing you with excellent tips and ideas for Poinsettia Rubber Stamps and why they are traditional for christmas.

Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Get creative with scrapbooking rubber stamp

Scrapbooking is a fun activity and generally a scrapbooker is short of ideas and even materials to create scrapbook album. Generally for a perfect scrapbook, the unused or recycled products are used to make it unique. However, with the availability of various materials like shimmers and stickers, printed and glossed paper; scrapbooking rubber stamp is also gaining popularity day by day amongst the makers. Hence, get started with this kind of innovation.

As you know that scrapbooking is more than an art. For some people it is stress buster and way to relax. And with the availability of materials like scrapbooking rubber stamp, the scrapbooking activity becomes funnier. And because of the shortage of new concepts, stamps have been introduced into this form of art. Moreover, it also saves time of the person who is in the process of creating an album. These are readily available in the craft stores or at stationary shops. In fact, you can choose from a variety according to your tastes and style. Well you can choose from quick rubber stamps, mounted rubber stamps, rubber stamps with depth and image, unmounted rubber stamps and acrylic mounts. These stamps are clear and easy to use. In fact, scrapbooking rubber stamp comes in various sizes and shapes.

One can say that these stamps are ideal for people who do not have a set hand at drawing or have not so good hand writing. Moreover, by using them, a scrapbooker can create a unique album. This way he or she is able to showcase his or her creative skills. So do not wait anymore and get down stamping your scrapbook with the help of scrapbooking rubber stamp. You can choose from a variety of stamps that can add style as well as aesthetic taste to your album. You can go for simple, plain, animated, pictorial and embossed rubber stamps. In fact, these can be applied on a variety of paper and fabrics to make an album or a card or anything you wish to create by utilizing these scrapbooking materials.

Even these are easy to maintain and offer a classy touch to your scrapbooking skills. But the most lovable images and widely used caricatures embossed in scrapbooking rubber stamp are the shapes of hearts, figures of men and women, smilies, chicks, birds, cows, cats, sea dragons, fishes, and lots more. You name it and you will get them easily. Moreover, you do not have to get bothered about a fact that how these effects of the stamps look, well the stamps leave an everlasting impression on the one’s creating and the one’s looking at the creation. Scrapbooking rubber stamp makes the scrapbook appear clean and neat. In fact, it provides pleasure to the eyes. However, if you are just learning to use scrapbooking stamps than it is always advisable to take help of others who constantly use rubber stamps in their creation. Otherwise, you might just mess up all your work. This way you can discover what works well for you.

About the Author

John Foster has special interest in arts. He gives advice to anyone who wants to know about online art school and scrapbooking and others. He refers to www.layersofourlives.com in many of his sessions for art school class for scrapbooking, scrapbooking rubber stamp and DIY scrapbooking art,Scrapbooking Book.

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Rubber Stamps - Advice to Help Choose the Right Product For You

Many of you may have used rubber stamps before either while crafting or in the office. Rubber stamps are pieces of rubber that can be carved and molded into an image or pattern. The rubber can be mounted onto a stable block and then the ink is coated onto the design and then pressed onto some sort of fabric or paper so the colored image is transferred.

There are three basic types of stamps. These are listed below;

1) Regular Rubber Stamps

These are the basic kind that are used with a separate ink pad. They are easy to get hold of and cheap to buy. However they may be messy if not used properly. This type is ideal for crafters since you can own a variety of designs to decorate almost anything. However, these stamps are also perfect for office workers. The stamp does not need to be replaced only the inkpad when it runs out, which is another advantage.

2) Self-inking Stamps

These are mechanical stampers with an internal stamp pad attached. The stamp hits the internal inkpad using a swivel action between each use. The advantages of this type of stamp is that they are quick and easy to use making multiple stamping a breeze perfect for anyone working in an office where stamps are used on a regular basis. These are re-inkable and very reasonably priced. However, when the inkpad runs out you will need to buy the whole stamp. Brand names that you may have heard of include Ideal, Trodat, or Cosco.

3) Pre-inked Stamps

This type of stamp has dye impregnated onto the design. These pre-inked stamps can be split into three types. These are polymer gel pre-inks, the latest in technology flash stamps, and the laser engraved vulcanized rubber stamps. These types of stamps are a lot more expensive but are ideal for offices that use the same stamp over and over again, since they are durable
and long lasting, cheap to re-ink, and made to the highest quality.

Stamping is considered to be a fantastic hobby where people can collect different designs while others enjoy the designs they can make with the stamps. These decorative stamps can be used on letters, greetings cards, banners, and other similar things to add that personalized touch.

The techniques involved in the art of rubberstamping are varied and you can find whole websites devoted to this subject. In fact there are even clubs that you can join so you can get together with others to make things and share techniques and even their stamps!

Nicky Whatmore writes for http://www.rubberstamps1.com and has been stamping for many years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Whatmore

Rubber Stamps : 10 Great Tips For Making Multiple Cards

You know the feeling. The kids have tons of demands, vacation is just around the corner, that big project at work is eating all of your free time. How will you ever make those handmade cards for the big party, or mail the invitations for the guests at the big wedding? What started out as a great idea for some very special cards has turned into a stressful project. These ten simple steps will maximize your time and free up your creativity when making multiple cards for any size project.

1. Determine and plan your cardmaking schedule. Do you want to set aside a few hours or just 30 minutes at a time? Pick a design suitable for the available time. Make a simple "assembly line" schedule to maximize the time you have to spend on the project.

2. Work on individual elements, individually. It may sound silly, but working on one element of the cards will retain the "look" of the cards while creating a "unity" among them. Start by stamping all of the impressions, then work on cutting out all of the backgrounds, folding all of the paper, tearing all of the sheets simultaneously. You don't want to spend too much time on any one card.

3. Have a party! Kids and relatives love to involved. Make the work fun and don't be overly concerned about the smaller details of the project. You will ultimately put all of the individual components together, giving you plenty of time to add any special touches. Working together with other people will also add a new level of uniqueness to your cards.

4. Stop writing. One of the most frustrating tasks of mass producing cards is hand writing messages. Find "handwriting fonts" available online, at your nearest craft supply store, or your local computer store. Sign the finished card or pen in any details or RSVP information as you would with a store purchased card.

5. Use a paper trimmer. If you need a fast way to make background frames or trim down embellishments, scissors just won't cut it! Stacking paper in 5-10 sheet groups and trimming all at once will provide perfect multiple shapes. Often, your scraps can be stacked in such a way to trim them into useable pieces with a trimmer. Rotary trimmers will also allow you to add perfect "scalloped" edges to the base of the card(s).

6. Punch It. Remember your time is valuable. Whether it's a heart, circle, flower, even a fork and spoon, your local craft store will have a perfect punch for the card. Cutting out shapes by hand is tedious and rarely looks well. Circles can be particularly difficult.

7. Stamp, Stamp, Stamp. When placing stamped images on a card, use one stamp at a time and make as many impressions as needed. Don't clean stamps or switch colors until all of the cards have been stamped. This keeps your ink pads from becoming "mixed" and makes the impressions uniform.

8. Avoid difficult embellishments. I am sure that rows of bows, lines of brads, or glued dots would look wonderful on each card. Finding a simpler alternative will save you hours. Paper tears, taped bows, even stylish stickers can be just as attractive without the hours of difficult handy work.

9. Customize backgrounds. If you absolutely must have a "look" provided by a stamped background, make a "master" copy on white paper EXACTLY how it should look. Scan the paper design into a computer at 300 dpi. (If you're already confused, spend a minute with the scanner manual.) Print onto colored cardstock or paper. When done properly, no one will even notice!

10. Have fun…with a budget. These are the two biggest factors when mass producing cards. You don't want to get partway through the project only to realize you have far overspent your intended budget. That special patterned paper and those cute hologram stickers can max out the cost of the cards. Alternatively, when the project simply becomes a duty, it is unlikely you will ever finish. Remember to always plan lots of time. After all, this is by far the greatest hobby in the world!

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=6669&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

Rubber Stamps – Advice To Help Choose The Right Product For You

Many of you may have used rubber stamps before either while crafting or in the office. Rubber stamps are pieces of rubber that can be carved and molded into an image or pattern. The rubber can be mounted onto a stable block and then the ink is coated onto the design and then pressed onto some sort of fabric or paper so the colored image is transferred.

There are three basic types of stamps. These are listed below;

1) Regular Rubber Stamps

These are the basic kind that are used with a separate ink pad. They are easy to get hold of and cheap to buy. However they may be messy if not used properly. This type is ideal for crafters since you can own a variety of designs to decorate almost anything. However, these stamps are also perfect for office workers. The stamp does not need to be replaced only the inkpad when it runs out, which is another advantage.

2) Self-inking Stamps

These are mechanical stampers with an internal stamp pad attached. The stamp hits the internal inkpad using a swivel action between each use. The advantages of this type of stamp is that they are quick and easy to use making multiple stamping a breeze perfect for anyone working in an office where stamps are used on a regular basis. These are re-inkable and very reasonably priced. However, when the inkpad runs out you will need to buy the whole stamp. Brand names that you may have heard of include Ideal, Trodat, or Cosco.

3) Pre-inked Stamps

This type of stamp has dye impregnated onto the design. These pre-inked stamps can be split into three types. These are polymer gel pre-inks, the latest in technology flash stamps, and the laser engraved vulcanized rubber stamps. These types of stamps are a lot more expensive but are ideal for offices that use the same stamp over and over again, since they are durable and long lasting, cheap to re-ink, and made to the highest quality.

Stamping is considered to be a fantastic hobby where people can collect different designs while others enjoy the designs they can make with the stamps. These decorative stamps can be used on letters, greetings cards, banners, and other similar things to add that personalized touch.

The techniques involved in the art of rubberstamping are varied and you can find whole websites devoted to this subject. In fact there are even clubs that you can join so you can get together with others to make things and share techniques and even their stamps!

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=29122&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

Clear Stamps And Scrapbooking: Clearly A Winning Combination

The unique qualities of clear acrylic stamps make them a perfect choice for scrapbooking. Stamping on scrapbook pages has always been a challenge. Placing the stamp and avoiding excess ink are a few of the concerns that keep most scrapbookers from trying stamping techniques on their page layouts, but now with the availability of clear acrylic stamps, anyone can get fantastic results from stamps on their scrapbooking pages.

Clear acrylic stamps, also called polymer stamps, are different from traditional wood block or foam-backed rubber stamps. They are more economical because they are not pre-mounted. Clear stamps are naturally tacky and stick to an acrylic block. They are easily removed allowing you to reuse the block again and again. You simply purchase unmounted clear stamps from any manufacturer, and these work with any clear acrylic mount. Buy a larger mount first that can be used with both small and large stamps. These stamps are also much easier to store, and because they are acrylic, they are lightweight and easy to transport to scrapbooking crops or classes.

Using clear stamps with scrapbooking couldn't be easier. Choose from words, designs and image clear stamps, and peel and stick them to an acrylic block. Now you're ready to start stamping. Because the block and stamp are transparent, you can see exactly where you want to place the imprint. No more misaligned prints! You will have precise placement every time and no more guesswork or stamping mistakes.

Another unique feature of clear acrylic stamps is the ability to mix and match them. With wood and rubber stamps you have to realign your stamps to use more than one stamp together. It takes at least 2 stamping imprints to achieve the same results with one acrylic block. While you can use your clear art stamps individually, the ability to peel and stick to a large acrylic block makes it easy to stamp entire phrases or scenes with one stamp. Just choose your stamps and arrange them all on one clear mount. They can even be from different stamp manufacturers. It's even possible to cut portions of one stamp apart and arrange them in a different pattern for stamping or use only a part of the stamp. Clear art stamps offer much more versatility and functionality than rubber stamps.

Because new stamps tend to resist ink, many scrapbookers recommend conditioning your clear stamps before you use them the first time. Some use a fine grit sandpaper and others prefer a pink eraser. Simply, scuff
the surface of a brand new stamp. This will help it to hold ink more effectively. After stamping with ink, clean it with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid oil-based cleaners, acetone and bleach because these can damage and break down your stamp. Some scrapbookers have difficulty getting a crisp image from clear polymer stamps. To improve the quality of the ink impression, try using a cushioned-surface under your scrapbooking paper. A soft mouse pad works well for this purpose. Using this cushioning effect may take a bit of practice, but the results will be worth it.

Be sure to store your clear stamps in a dark place away from sunlight or indoor lighting. Light can discolor and harden them prematurely. Some inks can stain them, but this won't affect their use. Because they are polymer based, one downside is that they do not last as long as rubber stamps will, but with proper care and storage, you will get years of scrapbooking with quality images from your clear stamps.

Article Tags: Clear Stamps Scrapbooking, Clear Stamps

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How to Choose the Right Rubber Stamps

Years ago there was only one option for rubber stamps and the crafter. The typical wood mounted rubber stamp. Many of the old rubber stamps also came with handles like business stamps today, while others had simple pegs. Thanks to the growth of this hobby, you can now buy many different types of stamps ranging from mounted, unmounted, clear acrylic, foam, individually, or by the sheet. Just a quick check online will show many companies who sell stamps in all of the above types. You might wonder what the best type of stamp to buy is. While it would be wonderful to be able to give a black and white answer, each type has applications that they perform better than the others. We'd like to take the mystery out of what type of stamp to use, when, and how to use it.

Not that long ago, foam stamps were intended to be used by children. While that may have been true many years ago, high quality foam stamps can be purchased these days. Foam stamps are a fantastic choice when you're going to be stamping on fabric or walls. Beyond being inexpensive, they have a very deep image that is perfect for stamping on rough surfaces. Will you be stamping fabric, denim, walls, plaster, or tin? Foam stamps are probably your best option.

Twenty years ago, if you told someone that you had an entire closet filled with rubber stamps, they would've thought you were a crazy fanatic. These days, it is not uncommon at all to have stamps filling up cabinets and closets, a fact that has created a huge demand for stamp storage units. Because mounted rubber stamps, with a wood mount, are bulky and take up a lot of space, some crafters like the idea of buying unmounted rubber stamps. Most of the time, you can buy them in a full sheet at a time and save a bundle, or you may want to buy them individually. Unmounted stamps can be backed with anything from magnets to static cling foam, and can be mounted on the medium of choice. Some prefer using traditional rubber stamps that have been trimmed close to the design and then placed on a static cling foam that can be mounted easily on acrylic blocks. While cost per stamp is usually the biggest concern, another immediate advantage of unmounted stamps is the inexpensive shipping, because you're not paying to ship the wood mount. Beware of buying bargain bags since these are usually of very low quality and the designs are very poor.

Acrylic rubber stamps are the newest stamps on the block. Either someone loves them or they hate them. Clear stamps have a fanatical following one day and every one dislikes them the next day. When you've spent a long amount of time on a scrapbook page and you want to make some final touches with a stamp, the last thing you want to do is ruin all the work you've done by having a smudge or putting something in the wrong place. Because clear stamps are placed on a clear acrylic block, you can see that you get good ink coverage of your stamp and precise placement. You can even double stamp by placing stamped images on top of each other. Keep in mind when looking for clear acrylic stamps that not all are created equal. If you've ever bought cheap clear stamps, you were probably extremely disappointed. Inexpensive, cheap acrylic stamps usually show themselves by attracting lots of dirt, and they usually tear easily. The best clear acrylic stamps made in the U.S.A. are manufactured by Stewart Superior. The proprietary photopolymer this company uses has the perfect amount of stickiness and is very durable. Sometimes when clear acrylic stamps are placed in the sun, they do discolor, but it does not affect in any way the stamped image.

The classic wooded mounted rubber stamp doesn't need any introduction. While the selection available used to be limited to your local craft and hobby store, hundreds stores now sell unique mounted rubber stamps online. Natural rubber creates the clearest, most detailed image of all the stamp types. You should not get a smudged image (common with clear acrylic stamps) with a natural rubber stamp because the rubber pores soak up ink better than the clear polymer.

So which is best? Foam, unmounted, clear, or mounted, we will have to leave the choice up to you. The truth is, they all have their place for certain projects. If your next project is going to be on fabric, or you want to stamp baby room walls, we'd recommend you find some high-quality, foam stamps. Buy a few of each design and if one gets damaged, you can just quickly go to another one. Are you working on a long scrapbook album that's taken hours of work? Want to put some final touches with stamps? I strongly encourage you to buy some clear acrylic stamps. There are some fantastic designs out there that you can use. By using clear acrylic stamps, you can be assured that you won't mess up the hours and hours of work you already put into the project. Are you making cards, scrapbook pages, gift boxes, or patterned paper? Wood mounted rubber stamps or unmounted stamps, mounted your preference, are still your best bet in the end. It's not so much what kind of stamp you have, but what kind of application you're going to be using it with. We hope that after reading this information, you now know exactly what you need to get started on your next project. Go ahead, get started stamping today!

Article Tags: rubber stamping scrapbooking scrapbooks

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-rubber-stamps-97967.html

Date Stamp Transcript Embossers

Schools, universities, and many government agencies have a great need for date stamp transcript embossers. These machines can help emboss documents at a rate that would make manual embossing impossible. Most of the machines can make over 2,000 perfect embosses in an hour with a single touch of the date stamp transcript embosser or by a step of the foot pedal.

These date stamp transcript embossers come with the state seal, text, and even custom seals that have artwork, for an additional cost. It is possible to emboss a single sheet and two-part carbonized forms of organizations. The date stamp transcript embosser is perfect for use on certificates, diplomas, and legal papers. All that has to be done to initiate the process is to place the paper to be embossed into the date stamp transcript embosser. You can set the trigger mechanism of the date stamp transcript embosser to stamp at the same depth consistently and accurately. If required, you can also get optional guide shelves that allow for the exact positioning of the document or certificate every time you have to emboss them.

There are various accessories that come with date stamp transcript embossers; you can opt for a foot pedal or push button stamping, visual counter, security lock and the extension trigger. The newer models of date stamp transcript embossers now emboss a raised seal into a document while printing a combination of signature, date, title, and any additional text in a single go. With this, you cannot only emboss the date on these important documents, you can also sign, validate, and certify these certificates.

Most of the date stamp transcript embossers come with an interchangeable die clip to give the user a choice of three seal sizes. With these different pressure settings, it is possible to execute three pressure settings on various paper stocks. These embossing can be imprinted within 4.5? of the edge of the document. With skid-proof rubber feet, the date stamp transcript embosser also protects your desktop and ensures the stability of the machine.

Date Stamps provides detailed information on Date Stamps, Date Stamp Kits, Custom Date Stamps, Electronic Date Stamps and more. Date Stamps is affiliated with Email Stationery.

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