WARNING ... Cling Foam - Not all the same + TIPS

[twink-a-dink]

I hope this is the right place for this ...

January (2011) when my father had two surgeries, I brought a "busy" project to the hospital. At the recommendation of a youtuber (2009ish), I had purchased a bunch of DVD cleat ultra thin cases and some thin cling foam w/ a turtle on it in 2010.

I have used EZ Mount for many years, storing my cling rubber on their panels. I lost a bunch of stamps when they fell out of the binders, so that was frustrating.

While dad was in surgery, I would start to unmount some of my wood stamps as I wanted to save space for storage. I actually ended up only remounting a few little stamps with the turtle foam and then just got too busy to go back and work on that project.

Well, here it is May 2012 and I just rediscovered the DVD case with the thin turtle foam mounted stamps. I opened the case and tried to remove one. It was permanently attached to the case and the stamped ripped with some foam on the back and some still left on the case. So, I tried more - they were all that way.

I am so THANKFUL I had barely begun the project and purchased a roll from Stamper's Best! So, now when I get to converting again, I will only use SB and their Polycarbonate Panels / Sheets and the remaining few shew sheets of EZM.

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TIPS :: I have also seen many youtubers use the cling panels in binders. I recommend you store the binders upright and not vertically stacked in one tall column. I also recommend the the panels only be used on one side - WHY? If your binders are overly full or crammed too tightly together (or heavily weighted stacked vertically), over time, you WILL damage your stamps. All the money we spend on these precious images by wonderful artists --- we must treat our stamps with respect whether we use them, collect them or both.

Afterthought, If you must store stamps on both sides of the cling panels ... PLEASE buy some frosted report covers, punch holes for your binders and use these non-stick acid free sheets to put use as separation from having stamps touch each other.

Happy Stamping (& storing)

[twink-a-dink]

BTW, the frosted covers are fun to die cut too

[saucersrus]

Thank you for posting this. I just got that turtle stuff on ebay and am waiting for the stuff from Stampin' Up. I'm glad I haven't gotten very far.

Many Thanks!!

[twink-a-dink]

You are so welcome ... I don't know if there was a chemical reaction between the foam, adhesive & the DVD slim case (crystal clear), but I am sticking to EZM or SB foam & Panels when it comes to cling and keep the index sheet & backing from the manufacturer for my clear stamps.

I also had 2 clear stamps rip in half trying to remove from the DVD case (not SU cases).

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I've got like 90 fragile, crystal clear jewel slim DVD cases just taking up space in my basement. Argh!

I also DO NOT recommend putting clear stamps on the EZM or SB panels. I have some clear stamps I bought from "Clear Dollar Stamps" MANY YEARS AGO (probably close to 10) and though all but one came off the EZM panel (it ripped in two pieces) - losing just one image was devastating as I do not think I can replace it.

I am going to replace all my cling panels now every 8-10 years, you may not have to, but it will make me feel better. I will do the same for the acetate sheets (not Dura-Lar) for my clear stamps. Dura-Lar is great for die cutting boxes & gift bags, but I am not "sold" for clear stamps yet.

I know there are folks with lamination capabilities, but I am not "sold" on that method either for replacing cling panels. Not all lamination sheets are made from the same chemicals & products. Many companies don't or won't reveal what the product consistency is ... Stick with the real deal ... EZM or SB panels!

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In case anyone is interested, I bought my frosted report covers here. *NOT* the pre-punched ones. Love the rounded corners.
Frost Binding Covers - GBC Presentation and Frosted Covers
Excellent customer service and fast shipping.

Happy Stamping (& storing)

[fionna51]

Just for information sake, I did write to Royal Sovereign to ask what their lamination film was made of. And they told me! And it is not acetate, so hopefully I will not have any problems with my ezmount.

[twink-a-dink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fionna51

Just for information sake, I did write to Royal Sovereign to ask what their lamination film was made of. And they told me! And it is not acetate, so hopefully I will not have any problems with my ezmount.

Cool - I use RS laminating sheets too I like to laminate .022/.030 chipboard with laminating sheets, punch holes, add tabs & use them as dividers for my binders w/ plastic backed dies I wish you the best with your EZM. Maybe in a few years I'll switch to that.