UTEE & CLEAR STAMPS

[speedsk8ter]

Spellbinders just released a new line called "Sealed" which is wax and metal wax stamps. I remember way back when you could make the same thing with UTEE and rubber stamps. Can you also stamp into UTEE with clear stamps? Thinking I don't need to buy the Spellbinders ones if I can make them this way

[fl_beachbum]

Oh, good idea. I don't know... will the photopolymer melt?

Looking forward to seeing answers here. I'm sure someone will know

[TLady]

"UTEE" is Wax then?

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLady

"UTEE" is Wax then?

UTEE stands for Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel — it’s basically the same as embossing powder but bigger grains). HTH!

I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to the OP’s question. Personally, I’d be a bit hesitant about high heat with photopolymer stamps, I tend to stick to natural rubber if I want to do anything involving heat.

[TLady]

Thank you, Joanne! I have NEVER caught on to the abbreviations here! LOL
You ALWAYS know the answer! ;)

[wavejumper]

I think you are talking about the very old practice of sealing wax-goes back many hundreds of years. They (often royals and the elite) did it both as a signature and to seal documents. I did it as a teen to seal envelopes and still have my brass seals (stamps) It is in a comeback now.

It is an interesting idea....I hate to be Debbie downer, but I would be very hickey about trying that with clear stamps-they have various quality levels too. Red rubber sounds safer given the heat and pressure used to make them, but I have no idea. I suspect there is a reason we use metal.

We might be able to get an answer from a company who is making their own red rubber stamps if they could withstand the UTEE....hmm.

[jeanne3579]

I have used rubber stamps and UTEE to make seals---often for embellishments rather than for sealing the envelope, as I'm almost sure the PO would have a tissy fit. I have so few polymer stamps, as I just prefer wood mounted rubber, but I have had a polymer stamp stick to the plastic box so badly it was ruined, so I would not use them in a super heated situation.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavejumper

IRed rubber sounds safer given the heat and pressure used to make them, but I have no idea. I suspect there is a reason we use metal.

We might be able to get an answer from a company who is making their own red rubber stamps if they could withstand the UTEE....hmm.

Natural rubber is absolutely fine with UTEE. Inking up with Versmark before pressing the stamp into the molten puddle is a good idea to help it release cleanly (but I confess I have forgotten to do so on occasion and it still works fine).

Ironing velvet is the other thing I’ve done that requires significant heat, again I’d only do it with a real rubber stamp, not a photopolymer one. It’s a bit hit and miss as to finding a velvet that works well (I found one with some synthetic content worked best) but you can get some lovely effects.