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I have tons of SU! sets all on blocks, but they are all in drawers, so I never use them. I have at least 50 sets of clear sets all on my desk, so they are very accessible. They take up the same amount of space as about 8 SU! boxes.
Also, if you're using a quality clear stamp, impression really shouldn't be a problem! I screw up my rubber stamped images more often because I can't see them or I end up dropping the blocks because they are too thick.
I still love the images I do have in rubber. I'm just "lazy" in the opposite way as the rubber fans. I find it more convenient to have everything available on my desk, only needing to be placed on block versus looking for a specific set that's on a shelf or in a drawer and not within arm's reach.
If space wasn't an issue I'd go for wood mounted everytime for images, but clear for sentiments. (Even with my stamp-a-ma-jig you can guarantee that I'll mess up a sentiment somehow.
*Less expensive for the stamps and shipping.
*Store an amazing amount in very small space on my desk within easy reach.
*Easy to take tons of stamps along with me without breaking my back.
*Stamps any kind of ink to get good image.
*Will not tear. Even the cheap ones I pulled and twisted to get off the wood mounts.
I think this issue is as individual as what style of images people like. There are tons of stamp company's now with all kinks of options, so thankfully there are now plenty of choices for people who have different preferences.
I love the ease of being able to see and place the clear stamps, but I just don't get the same crispness as I do with rubber. Some of my older clear stamps just aren't holding up as well I would like, so thats another plus for the unmounted rubber.
__________________ wendyp
my blog: paper, ink and smiles
DT member for: There She Goes stamps, Quick Quotes, Clear Scraps
In the past I would have said wood, but I have recently started using the clear ones and I love them. It is great to be able to see where you are stamping and I haven't had any problems with them not stamping the full image. I still use the wood ones, but love the clear.
Jenny
I would buy the unmounted rubber. I gave up mounted stamps a few years ago when EZ Mount came about because of the ease of storage. I like some things about clear stamps, but they don't work well for detailed images.
__________________ Debra ---artist * teacher * designer Say yes. Be generous. Speak up. Love more. Trust yourself. Slow down. ---Patti Digh
Rubber: Because the image will be durable for years and years to come, I don't know that we know the lasting power of clear stamps yet.
As for the UM or WM, that would be your pref. is as a stamper. Are you a messy creative type? Go with Wood so you can leave stuff around and not worry about it. Or are you super organized? you could do UM bc you'll keep track of the pieces.
Is there a company that's offering all three choices? Hmmm.
I'm with TeeGeeDee.............Lazy stamper here. I want the wood mounted. Used my unmounted once and I always grab my mounted stamps. Just don't like having to place them on a block. JMO
Glad I'm not the only one to admit to being a lazy stamper!
ok I have to ask, I am clear stamp challenged. I have PTI stamps and ctmh stamps, and can not get a clear image. Ok, I can if I waste sheets and sheets and sheets of paper. I used ink from pti and ww paper, and did the eraser thing before I used them. what am i doing wrong?
UNMOUNTED RUBBER - I still have 70 sets of SU to unmount but the end is near. You can't beat rubber for quality impressions. I do have clear and enjoy seeing exactly where I am going to stamp, but Rubber is the best. The only mounted wood ones I am keeping that way are the SU background stamps and a few wood mounted with carved tops. I love the fact I can have 20 of my favorite sets close at hand. My DH got me some bins they use for parts. They fit CD cases perfectly. I keep one on my work desk filled with the current favs or the ones I plan on using for up coming events.
Clear! 2nd choice is unmounted rubber, and wood-mounted is last choice.
If I find an image that I like in rubber, I will search high and low for an equivalent in a clear stamp. If I can't find it, I'll wait a few months before deciding if I want that image enough to deal with rubber.
For two-step stamping, pattern stamps (that need to be lined up, like a small harlequin pattern for example), sentiments, and alphabet sets, I won't even compromise with myself anymore. Those must be in clear or I won't buy them, not even if they are unmounted rubber.
I like both, so I don't have a preference. I know you can't see through the stamp when using wood, but I mount my stamps carefully and I do pretty well with stamping my image exactly where I want it, so that's not really a big issue for me.
Clear stamps are tricky because unless you get a good quality one, the image is really cruddy. I have a few clear stamps I like. I like PTI's stamps.
If I really like an image, I'll get it and make it work, whether it's clear or wood mounted. I'm an equal opportunity stamper, lol.
A while back I would have said unmounted because of the easy of storage and cost. But after several months of telling myself clear were not for me. Once I figured out you need to tap, tap, wiggle, wiggle, tap, tap and if I do that then I seem to get an image even better than unmounted.
I love the style of many of the woodies but am not married to a hubby who keeps me in the lifestyle I would love to afford. And I hate that I can't see were I am going with the stamp. Many times they are mounted crooked.
I would have to say unmounted rubber. Although I love the quality, feel and aesthetics of woodmount, when it comes to actual purchasing I usually opt for unmounted rubber if it's available in the image I want, because it's cheaper -- which means I can buy more for the $$!
Since a storage issue is not in the equation, I'll take wood mounted rubber, please.
__________________ christine m.aka summer and weekend stalker DOT INK (My yadda yadda) Don't magnify your problem . . .Magnify your God
PROUD MEMBER OF THE REDDIVAS!
No question...unmounted rubber. I can hardly stamp with wood any more! Looks like a beginner did it. LOL Just seems awkward when I can't see to line things up. (Note: I trim my stamps REALLY, REALLY, REALLY close.) ;-)
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
UM or clear it just depends on what it is...images I am good with having UM...sentiments,letters and things that need to be lined up...I like in clear.
If they all stamped equally well, I would choose clear - I love being able to see exactly where I am stamping. Second choice would be wood and unmounted rubber would coming in trailing last.
I prefer stamping with unmounted rubber. My only complaint is they fall off of the acrylic block when I'm cleaning them, but I'd rather deal with that than use a stamp-a-ma-jig as often as I would need to to stamp straight!
