Welcome to Stamp Tips

Use your scraps to make new stamps!

After trimming your images, in preparation for mounting them, save the rubber scraps. Mount these scraps on adhesive for "mosaic" style stamp.

Unmounted

Many companies sell "unmounted" rubber stamps. Usually, the images will be received in rubber sheet form, several images to a sheet, and will require trimming and mounting. Purchasing stamps unmounted can save you some money, and also lots of storage space.

Storing Your Unmounted Stamps - Halo Systems

If you are buying unmounted stamps, then you will need somewhere to store them! The best method I have found is to invest in a cheap plastic "pocket" album from the newsagency. Stamp your images onto pieces of card that fit into the pockets. Only stamp 5 - 6 images per card and down one side of the card only. Then buy some Velcro type strips with sticky backing. Place a strip of this tape on the outside of the pocket so that you can attach your stamps beside their stamped image. It´s always a good idea to alternate the side of card that you stamp the image and mount the stamps so that the album stays "even".

Unmounted Stamps

An unmounted stamp is a stamp that comes as just the rubber portion of the stamp. You have to provide/make your own mount before you can use this type of stamp. These are sold either as individual images, or sheets of images.

Mounting with Aleene´s Tack It Over and Over

Aleene´s Tack It Over and Over is another way of mounting your unmounted stamps. It comes as a "goopy" glue. You spread a layer (not too thin, not too thick) over the back of your rubber unmounted stamp then wait for it to dry. When it is dry you can just "slap" it onto your mounting block and stamp away! Over time, the layer of stickiness may wear away, so eventually you will have to repeat the process.

Stopping the "stickies" on your scissors

If you have attached your unmounted stamps to Halo´s loop tape you will find that your scissors will get sticky as you cut out the images! To prevent this, rub the blades of your scissors with clear embossing ink. You can also clean them with t-tree oil or eucalyptus oil.

How do I carve my own stamps?

Looking for a specific image to use in your stamping projects and can´t find it anywhere? Maybe you need to start making your own rubber stamps! Get hold of a soft rubber eraser and some carving tools and try your hand at it.

Artisan´s Choice - stamp making kits

If you´ve thought about making your own stamps, and aren´t sure where to start, check out Artisan´s Choice for kits, instructions and support. With these kits, you´ll be creating your own stamps in no time!

Helpful Mounting Instructions

Visit the following link for more helpful instructions on temporary and permanent mounting of your unmounted images:
http://abovethemark.com/uminfo.htm

Use your Vegetables and Fruit!

Don´t overlook the materials you have in your own kitchen for making unique images. Fruits, vegetables, even fish can be used to imprint images! Need an image you don´t already own? Carve it into a sliced potato! Simply draw your image onto the potato´s surface, and carve around it!

Stamp N Stor mounting system

Another way of mounting your unmounted stamps is to use a system called "Stamp N Stor". In this system you adhere a layer of special foam onto the back of your unmounted stamp, and then attach a layer of a special cling vinyl. This then "sticks" to your acrylic mounting block. You can find full instructions on how to use this system by going to: SundayInt.com

Preparing your rubber die for mounting

Before cutting unmounted stamps on adhesive sheets, wipe blades of scissors on embossing pad. This will help prevent scissors from gumming up.

Recommended scissors for use with unmounted stamps

The Kai brand of scissors have been mentioned many times online as being one of the best (if not THE best) to use when cutting your unmounted stamps. They are available at many online stores that also sell unmounted stamps.

How do I use unmounted stamps?

You will probably need to purchase (or make) a set of mounts before you can use unmounted stamps. There are several brands available, with "Halos" being the most popular. They are perspex blocks with "velcro" attached in channels. You then adhere sheets of "velcro" to the back of your unmounted rubber - and away you go.

HALOS™ unmounted stamps

HALOS™ stands for Hooked and Looped On Stamps-- because hook and loop tape (like Velcro®) are the heart of this unmounted stamp system. These mounting blocks are WONDERFUL and are my personal favourite for using with my unmounted stamps.

Negative Method Stamps - making them

If you want to know more about making your own stamps using the negative method (with photopolymers) then visit the Granthams site for full instructions. The company offers their full instructions on video, available for purchase.

How to Use the HALOS system.

This site has wonderful instructions on using the HALOS unmounted system.

Mounting onto Wood

You can purchase, or make your own, wood mounts. Putting your unmounted stamps onto these with a layer of stamp foam in between is a great way of mounting your stamps so that you get maximum efficiency out of them.