Glossary Tips
Read these 28 Glossary Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Stamp tips and hundreds of other topics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Embellishments
The extra "bits" that are used to decorate the front of a card. This can also refer to special techniques that are used to "finish" off a stamped image eg: fun flock; glitter; gold leaf...
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.
Coated paper
When a paper or card stock is referred to as "coated" this means that it has been specially coated to create a smooth surface. This is also referred to as sizing.
Angel Companies
An "angel" company is a rubberstamp producer who allows their images to be used for profit by the maker of the finished stamped product. eg: you can stamp their images onto cards and sell the cards at local fairs and carnivals etc. This agreement usually only extends to images created by actually stamping the product and you aren't allowed to scan and produce multiple copies.
Pad Grabber
This is a special "handle" which can be added to the back of your ink pads when inking up large stamps (or any stamps). It helps you to better control the amount of ink you put onto the stamp, and also helps keep your hands clean! Check out their site at:
Art Smart Products
Embossing ink
Embossing ink is a clear, thick, viscous ink that dries slowly, allowing the user to emboss using the many colored embossing powders on the market.
Xyron machine
A machine that allows you to laminate a piece of work. It also has a special adhesive cartridge which allows you to add a layer of adhesive on one side of a piece of work. It is very popular with stampers and scrapbookers.
Paper Trimmer
Probably one of the most popular paper trimmers are the Fiskars brand of trimmers which range in size from 8" through to much larger. The most popular is probably the 12" which allows you to trim paper up to 12" wide or high. You can also get rotary paper trimmers or just use a scalpel and self-healing cutting board along with a metal-edged ruler.
Rainbow ink pads
Rainbow pads are ink pads that have more than one ink in them. Several manufacturers produce their own variation of this idea, including Kaliedacolor, Ranger and Close To My Heart.
