Is it ok to store my UM stamps on overhead sheets in a binder?

[butlerlfy24]

I can't remember where I read that this was a bad thing, but I thought I would check in with the experts because its really the only thing I have room for!! I don't have room or the $$ to get any other system going.

[fionna51]

On Sunday International's site they warn you not to put your unmounteds that are on EZ Mount on acetate sheets (that seems to be the material of overhead transparencies). I have not heard of any problem with putting clear polymer stamps on that material.

I do my stamps on laminated cardstock. I don't put them in a binder, but you could laminate full sheets of cardstock and punch them for the binder. I use Royal Sovereign laminating pouches bought from Sam's and I confirmed with them that they are not acetate.

[deeth1]

I have a new method for storing my unmounted stamps that is very inexpensive. I stopped using ezmount cushion on my stamps as I found that the ezmount cushion was shrinking over time and has to be replaced so it was wasted money using that method.

I bought a sheet of tack n peel to put on my acrylic blocks so that the rubber stamps will cling to them without any cushion.

Then I bought regular A-2 envelopes at the discount store and stamp my image on the front. I put a card inside the envelope with the name of the stamp, the number and what company makes it. Then I put the stamp inside the card and insert it in the envelope. I keep these in a clear shoe box size storage box with file tabs sorting them by catagory. The envelopes were $4.00 per 100 and the shoe box cost $2.00 at the discount store. I use the cheapy cardstock from Joann's for the inserts.

The other alternative is to put your unmounted stamps in clear zip type craft bags from Hobby Lobby or Joanns and place a label on the front then store in shoe boxes.

HTH,

Deloris

[Angelnorth]

First responder is right in saying that if your stamps are on EZ-mount (or similar foam) then acetate will damage them - they will eventually just get welded onto the sheet as there's a chemical reaction between the two things. Overhead transparencies are made of acetate.

Laminated card is a good solution or you can use the clear document pockets and slip a piece of card inside to make the pages sturdy enough to hold up to the stamps. A bit of sticky strip to close off the top of the pocket and hold the cardstock in place makes it even sturdier. Document pockets are made of a type of polythene so they're safe for your foam-mounted stamps.

[butlerlfy24]

I have taken the foam off most of them already. So would it be ok without the foam?

[Angelnorth]

Storing bare rubber on acetate should be fine - presumably you have something like Tack it Over and Over on there so they'd stick. It's the EZ Mount foam that's the issue (I think people use the term "unmounted" to mean different things so you may have seen people talking about the problem of storing unmounted stamps on acetate when they actually mean foam-mounted stamps).