Welcome to Stamp Tips

Backgrounds

When a "background" is referred to it usually is referring to a piece of card/paper stock that is used between the base card and the piece of card that the stamped image is on. Making your own "backgrounds" is a fun thing to do and most dedicated stampers have their favourite techniques for doing this, and are usually on the "look out" for new techniques which they can use.

Vellum

Vellum was a paper traditionally made from animal "gut" (sort of like guitar or violin strings). It is a translucent paper. These days it can be made in other ways with some plastics etc. It is a very elegant looking paper and is widely used for wedding, and other occassion, invitations. You can also dry emboss on it, or stamp it with permanent inks, or heat emboss it.

3D Tape

3D tape is manufactured by a variety of companies and is a double-sided tape made out of a plastic "spongy" material. It is thicker than normal double-sided tape and is quite flexible. It is used to raise images away from the background and can also be used to create window cards.

Shaker card?

A shaker card is created by using different layers to create a window in a card (usually using acetate as the window). This window is then filled with a shakeable material and sealed shut. Some great shaker cards are made to look like lolly jars; fish bowls; snow globes etc. Some common materials used in shaker cards are: sand, hundreds & thousands; potpourri; glitter; confetti; hair gel; lavendar; mini marshmallows....

Heat embossing

Heat embossing is a process where you first stamp an image onto card with pigment/embossing ink. You then scatter this with embossing powder and then shake the excess off. The powdered image is then heated with a heat gun/toaster/ or cook top (electric only) to create a raised effect.

Embossing powder

Embossing powder is plastic (usually nylon) that has been ground very finely. This plastic powder will melt when heated. You shake embossing powder over a stamped image (stamped with pigment or embossing ink) and then shake the excess off. You then heat until the plastic powder has melted onto your image. Use of a heat tool is recommended.

Dye ink

Dye inks are water based, quick drying inks. The traditional dye inks are not color-fast and will fade over time. These inks are suitable for use on both matt and gloss cardstock (although they will need longer drying time when used on gloss).

Archival

Archival is a word used to describe something that is color-fast ie: will not fade over time

Pigment ink

Pigment ink is sometimes called embossing ink. It is a thick, viscous ink which is water-based and non-permanent. It is slow drying and is often used in conjunction with embossing powder to create the heat embossed effect. It will never dry on gloss card and should only be used on gloss if it is going to be heat embossed.

Is this a Hobby or Art?

Both! Rubberstamping is a very popular hobby for many people all around the world. It is also a very busy industry and is full of wonderful people who are finding new ways of utilizing rubber stamps in artistic ways. There are many magazines, shops, classes, ideas, templates, and techniques available.

Fun Flock

Fun Flock is what I call "fluff in a jar". It is a fine "fluff" that is sold in jars. It comes in a small variety of colours and is used in conjunction with glue to create a fluffy embellishment for cards.

Dry Embossing - basic explanation

Dry embossing is a process used to create a raised pattern on your card. Tools used are a stylus and plastic or brass template. The paper is laid over the template, and the stylus is used to press the paper into the template pattern.

Background paper

Background paper is the paper used as a layer behind your stamped image or embellishment. This can be either patterned or plain, or it can even be a specialty paper such as vellum; rice paper; or webbing.

ISO

The ISO value of paper is an international system for defining paper sizes. This is a very complicated system and if you want to know more I would recommend taking a look at this site:
ISO-PAPER

Shrink Plastic

A type of plastic sold in thin sheets. It comes in a variety of colors, and shrinks when heated. Images can be stamped into, painted, trimmed to shape. They are popular for making embellishments and jewelry.

Freezer Paper

Freezer paper is a type of paper that has a platic coating on one side only. It is not the same as wax paper. When heated the plastic layer melts a little and helps the paper to adhere to other surfaces.

3D Cards

A 3D card is a card where an element (or elements) of the image are adhered to the card with thick foam tape (like foamcore) so that they stand out from the card in relief.

UTEE

UTEE is "ultra thick embossing powder" and is just what it implies. The plastic has been ground thicker than normal so when it is heated it creates a much thicker melted layer than normal embossing powder. This type of embossing powder is used mainly to stamp into while still warm to create an impression. This style is used a lot when making pins and jewellery.