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I have been reading posts about Versa Mark and I still don't get it. I have used it to emboss but, in my opinion, it's not as good an ink pad. While it made a really big mess on my clear stamps that turned me off. I have also read that some of you just use it as you would an ink pad with no embossing power. Is that it? Is there anything else I can use this pad for? I guess I just don't get it. Please help!
I LURVE my versamark pad. I love the look of a watermark on cardstock. I personally like using it on white cardstock with a background stamp that covers the whole thing. the look of embossing without the texture.
you know how most SU! sets have a tiny-ish stamp that just seems to be a filler.. well I use that stamp with my versamark to stamp the inside bottom right corner of my cards. Just gives it a little extra something. any coordinating stamp will do.. Like I f I do a Fall themed card, I will use a small leaf or acorn stamp.
I have recently discovered embossing and it's my new obsession. I actually haven't been too terribly pleased with how it looks with a colored stamp pad, but am quite happy with versamark results
I just use regular stamp cleaner on the scrub pad, never had any problems with mess, but again, I don't own any clear stamps.
You can use it to stamp on coloured cardstock and the image will appear in a tone darker than the cardstock's colour. It's really nice and great for backgrounds especially. Nice and subtle details..
What mess did it cause with your clear stamps? Versa Mark works the same on clear and normal rubber stamps.. I've used them with my clear stamps without any problem.
You can also use your VersaMark pad for the Popin' Pastels technique or with PearlEx pigment powder. It is a very versatile pad and there are many uses.
I love my VersaMark. I too use it for watermark stamping, embossing, working with pastels and pearl ex. It is the perfect way to create a subtle texture to fill in blank space without adding the business. It is a little stickier than other inks, but I use some Wet Ones to clean off my stamps.
What mess did it cause with your clear stamps? Versa Mark works the same on clear and normal rubber stamps.. I've used them with my clear stamps without any problem.[/QUOTE]
I used normal water and soap and the clear stamp turned cloudy. So my hubby and I tried rubbing alcohol and that worked but what a pain to bring to crops. I like the idea of baby wipes or hand wipes but what brand?
I used normal water and soap and the clear stamp turned cloudy.
Lisa
Depending on the material used to manufacture the clear stamps, many of them will get cloudy or yellow over time. They still are functional. They just don't look bright and sparkly anymore.
Yes, sometimes you will see clear stamps in stores that are already yellow in the packaging. It just happens- they still work the same. All of mine get stained with chalk ink eventually anyway!
I use ultra clean stamp cleaner/or stampin up Mist and have never had trouble. I wouldnt use soap on your stamps, that is probally what made them cloudy. Just let them sit out to dry good, and they should be fine.
You shouldn't use rubbing alcohol on your clear stamps either. Occasionally, for a deep cleaning, would be OK but not every time. Even good quality acrylic stamps can be ruined by rubbing alcohol. I use VersaMark all the time with my acrylics and never have had problems. I use a roll on cleaner (the kind with the little spongy thing on the end of the bottle) and a damp sponge.
You can also tap in VM, then in dye ink & emboss over that. If all you have is dye pads it can increase their usefullness. Poppin pastels is also really cool!
When I tried to clean, with water, the clear stamp after using Versa Mark the stamp turned cloudy and sticky. The sticky did not want to come off and that is why we used the alcohol. Which then the stickiness came off and the stamp was clear again. Is there anything else that is cheaper to clean off Versa Mark besides those cleaners in a bottle? Water, for me, is just not working.
When I tried to clean, with water, the clear stamp after using Versa Mark the stamp turned cloudy and sticky. The sticky did not want to come off and that is why we used the alcohol. Which then the stickiness came off and the stamp was clear again. Is there anything else that is cheaper to clean off Versa Mark besides those cleaners in a bottle? Water, for me, is just not working.
Lisa
risalenee.blogspot.com
Yup, the stickiness and cloudy stuff is the versamark ink. Water won't do the job for versamark. You can try this stamp cleaner recipe I found on another SCS thread:
2 Tablespoons glycerin 8 oz. distilled water 1 teaspoon baby wash.
I've tried it and it works with versamark. Though not as well as store-bought cleaners.
What mess did it cause with your clear stamps? Versa Mark works the same on clear and normal rubber stamps.. I've used them with my clear stamps without any problem.
I used normal water and soap and the clear stamp turned cloudy. So my hubby and I tried rubbing alcohol and that worked but what a pain to bring to crops. I like the idea of baby wipes or hand wipes but what brand?
Thank you for all your helps and tips.
Lisa[/QUOTE]
Any brand that doesn't have alcohol in it. I could not live without baby wipes.
I love using the versamark to make matching brads to my inks. Grab the brad with a tweezer or hemostat clamp, tap it in the versamark, tap in the powder and heat. Do several times, and you get a nice colored brad. I did a project with silver embossing, but had matte brads, so I embossed them, and people were amazed (it was at a class, and the difference was so clear.)
I'm surprised they turned your clear stamps cloudy. I have never had that problem. Since the problem went away when you cleaned it (eventually, anyway), I would bet that it is b/c they were new stamps. Clear stamps have a chemical residue on them, leftover from the manufacturing process. You have to remove it first, before stamping, or ink will bead up on the stamps and they may turn cloudy. They will be sticky too, but that can be before you add ink. People use erasers, cleaning them with baby wipes or stamp cleaners (just don't use StazOn cleaner), or fine grit sandpaper and a gentle touch.
Besides all the uses for Versamark here, you can also use them on your regular rubber stamps for conditioning. After you use the stamp, clean it, and then stamp into the Versamark pad and do not clean off the stamp before returning it to storage--it will keep the rubber in tiptop shape! :-)
Before I purchased the Ultra Clean stamp cleaner, I used Dawn liquid detergent and it worked really well. I still do that occasionally to my stamps and the acrylic blocks when they start to lose their cling. Then I let them air dry. I also do in in a colander so as not to lose small pieces down the drain :(
I'm surprised they turned your clear stamps cloudy. I have never had that problem. Since the problem went away when you cleaned it (eventually, anyway), I would bet that it is b/c they were new stamps. Clear stamps have a chemical residue on them, leftover from the manufacturing process. You have to remove it first, before stamping, or ink will bead up on the stamps and they may turn cloudy. They will be sticky too, but that can be before you add ink. People use erasers, cleaning them with baby wipes or stamp cleaners (just don't use StazOn cleaner), or fine grit sandpaper and a gentle touch.
Besides all the uses for Versamark here, you can also use them on your regular rubber stamps for conditioning. After you use the stamp, clean it, and then stamp into the Versamark pad and do not clean off the stamp before returning it to storage--it will keep the rubber in tiptop shape! :-)
I've read conflicting info about using StazOn cleaner on clear stamps. It shouldn't be used with clear stamps? Why?
I had no idea versamark was a conditioner! Interesting! It's sticky and i normally try to clean it off very thoroughly from my normal stamps.. How does it condition the stamps?
I've read conflicting info about using StazOn cleaner on clear stamps. It shouldn't be used with clear stamps? Why?
I had no idea versamark was a conditioner! Interesting! It's sticky and i normally try to clean it off very thoroughly from my normal stamps.. How does it condition the stamps?
I've heard that you should not leave VM on your stamps. There's a woman in one of my groups thay says it ate the rubber (over a long time - years I believe) on her stamps to the point that they're useless. :(
I imagine there are too many variables to say it will (or won't) happen to everyone. Since I love my stamps, I'd rather be safe - KWIM? I just use a good cleaner with conditioner in it, usually right away - sometimes things happen for a couple of days.... :oops:
I've heard that you should not leave VM on your stamps. There's a woman in one of my groups thay says it ate the rubber (over a long time - years I believe) on her stamps to the point that they're useless. :(
I imagine there are too many variables to say it will (or won't) happen to everyone. Since I love my stamps, I'd rather be safe - KWIM? I just use a good cleaner with conditioner in it, usually right away - sometimes things happen for a couple of days.... :oops:
I always clean my stamps right away. Does anyone know if I just finish using my clear stamp with ink if I can just put it in a bowl of water. I mean I do all my crafts in the basement and I am tired of walking up and down the stairs. So I was wondering if I could just put it in a cool whip bowl and when I have a few stamps dirty, with in minutes, would that hurt them. Would they loose their stickiness if they were plunged in water for awhile?
I used normal water and soap and the clear stamp turned cloudy. So my hubby and I tried rubbing alcohol and that worked but what a pain to bring to crops. I like the idea of baby wipes or hand wipes but what brand?
Thank you for all your helps and tips.
Lisa
Any brand that doesn't have alcohol in it. I could not live without baby wipes.
I went to Wal Mart looking for the baby wipes, someone mentioned the "green" container of wet ones, but no such luck. They has the red and yellow ones. Some had aloe but I though no to that idea. Some had citrus sent but does that hurt them? This is nuts. lol Can someone just tell me what to get and where you by them. 8-)
The ingredients in Stazon are strong (note the odor); they will eat your clear stamps as they are not made of the same materials as the rubber stamps... Cindy
I always clean my stamps right away. Does anyone know if I just finish using my clear stamp with ink if I can just put it in a bowl of water. I mean I do all my crafts in the basement and I am tired of walking up and down the stairs. So I was wondering if I could just put it in a cool whip bowl and when I have a few stamps dirty, with in minutes, would that hurt them. Would they loose their stickiness if they were plunged in water for awhile?
Lisa
There should be no problem with this. Actually, if they start to lose their 'sticky' you should give them a water bath. If you're using dye ink this could be enough of a wash for them. If you're using pigment or permanent inks you should actually clean them. Certainly you can soak them for a while to keep the ink wet before you clean 'em. Some pigment & all permanent inks (and chalk ink is the WORST!) that I've tried have stained the acrylic, even when I cleaned right away, so keep that in mind.
I always rinse off my stamps after using staz on and have had no problems.
I've yet to have a ruined acylic stamp!
Ultra Clean is supposed to condition and clean as well. I use both.
Versa Mark + help
