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I have invested a lot of money in these lately with all the gorgeous designs by Papertrey and Ronda Farrar etc.
I do remember reading they will turn gummy and yellow and crack eventually, and that this can be delayed with proper care (avoid sunlight, store in cool dry place) but if we take care of them how long can they be expected to last? Anyone know?
The oldest set I have is nearly 4 years old, and it looks and functions exactly the same as the day I bought it! The brand is Technique Tuesday and they are well known for their quality. It would be interesting to hear input from somebody who has sets that are older than this. I will be sure to keep an eye on this thread!
I have some sets from several years ago. They were an English company, and each stamp was mounted on blocks. The stamps were the first clear stamps I had seen. I got them at a convention. They got gummy, They still stamp, but kind of stick to the paper. They don't feel the same to me as the newer type. I, too, have the Papertrey and Autumn Leaves. I certainly hope they last a good long time. They are so easy to use, and take up less space. I guess time will tell.
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If your stamps are rigid photopolymer, they should not become gummy. Almost all photopolymer stamps will turn light gold with age - but this does not impact their ability to stamp. Gumminess is not normal and I know CTMH would consider that a manufacturing defect.
I do recall reading once that life of the average clear photopolymer stamp should be 15 years. However, that was on SCS so who knows.
I was just in my local stamp store and checking out their clear acrylic stamps. They had some of the Clearly Wordsworth by Rubber Soul and some of those had started to turn yellow. They were still on the shelf. It was obvious when you really looked and compared one set to another next to it. One was yellow and the other clear.
I've had some for over 5 years and they still stamp very well. They will yellow over time, but this has not impacted their ability to stamp - at least the ones that I have. I've never had one crack.
The previous poster is correct in that the higher quality clear stamps are photopolymer. Some clear stamps are silicone, which are not as good and you should avoid these.
UGH! I've had one for only 2 years and when I went to peel it off the backing, it cracked right in half! It was from the LSS from when I first started stamping. It's stored correctly too...very disappointing.
My oldest acrylic stamps are Technique Tuesday too (my favorite brand of clear stamps), they are also 4 yrs old. They look, feel, and work exactly the same today as they did 4 years ago. I know there are a variety of different qualities of acrylic stamps out there, TT happens to be one of the better ones.
I have a set from CTMH that is under 3 years old and it is sticky and has lost its definition. I have another set from Anna Griffin that is about the same age and is fine. Both have been keep in the same place out of heat and sun. Some of my rubber stamps are over 12 years old (even the very cheap ones) and they are all still great.
How long do acrylic stamps last?
Longevity of clear stamps
