Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I have mixed feelings about clear stamps and about unmounted (messy unorganized me tends to "lose" my clear stamps -- they are in my craft room, but where???).
But, I have to admit that if I'm going to go unmounted, clear is pretty cool!! Any rumors that SU might go clear??? I know that they manufacture their own stamps and switching from rubber to clear might not be feasible, but sooo many companies, such as Hero Arts and MSE, are now offering both.
Watcha been hearing???
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I want to know TOOOO! I'm running out of space, after piling them on my treadmill, amongst my books and on the top of my closet shelves, I've just gotta do something. Can't build my dream craft room, because we're moving in 2 years and I doubt I'll find a buyer who'd want a craft room instead of a
3rd bdroom. I'm buying unmounteds from the Net and tending to be extremely careful about SUs mounted right now.
Has anyone heard that SU bought "Clear Stamps?" I think I have that name right. But then I heard that they have no intention of merging the companies. And if that's so, will the design teams be kept separate. I just think that stamp companies have got to take clear stamps seriously.
Has anyone heard that SU bought "Clear Stamps?" I think I have that name right. But then I heard that they have no intention of merging the companies. And if that's so, will the design teams be kept separate. I just think that stamp companies have got to take clear stamps seriously.
Shelli & Sterling Gardner, not SU, bought Clearsnap. They make the wheels and they have some great inks too.
Personally I think SU is missing out on a great opportunity - Clear stamps are the future of stamping IMHO.
I only have one set, but it was unbelievably easy to stamp titles/words with the alphabet sets from CTMH I borrowed from a gf.
I just got my first unmounted stamp, and can definately see the storage advantages with UM. I love all my SU stamps, and I have plenty. I am mulling around with the idea of going UM, primarily for storage reasons.
I am not an an experienced stamper, and I really don't know the technical aspects off all the different stamps, (rubber, acrylic, etc) but it seems that clear unmounted stamps just make more sense? YKWIM?
Hey Erica, a treadmill is supposed to be for exercise, not stamp storage!!
Ha Ha!! Back to the topic, I've always heard SU will never go acrylic. Personally, I've been too afraid to try clear stamps just in case I like them!
__________________ Cindy Nagel Stampin' Up-The stamp & scrapbook store that comes to your house!!! http://cindynagel.stampinup.net
I have bought a few smaller sets of clear stamps and just don't like them...I tried...I tried different ink...I tried different blocks but I just didn't like them...
Personally I don't think SU would ever go to acrylic stamps - if thier niche is going to be true rubber stamps then I think they will stay that way...
Now offering them in an unmounted fashion - that could be a possibility - although I would be highly upset if they stopped offered mounted...
Anyway it ain't going to happen this year...if it was I am pretty sure SU would have prepared their demos by now...
__________________ Jenni -Happy SU Demo - MY GALLERY & MY CHAOTIC LIFE One kid makes you a Parent - Two makes you a Referee
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have to say that I really don't care for the acrylic stamps like I do unmounted RUBBAH! I DO like the ease of placement with clear/acrylic stamps, but the images are always iffy for me. I'm pretty experienced with stamping, so I think it's just something I need to play around with, and I just don't ever want to take the time. So I have lots of CTMH stamps just sitting in their cute little storage box!
I really hope they never do or i would stop being a demo - i have read many many things about acrylic stamps not lasting and how they go gummy after a couple of years. Not worth the investment imo. I would like the option of them going UM though as they take up less room but i haven't heard of any future plans for anything of them moving from mounted... wether its acrylic or UM
I think it would be the smartest thing they could do. The LSSs are saying that their sales of wood mounts are dropping out of sight. Our biggest LSS quit carrying any wood stamps and she used to have thousands. Our JoAnn is doing the same thing. I only buy sets that I cannot live without and then unmount them at this point. I bought about 1/2 the number of sets this year that I bought l last year and yet I spent more money on sets than I ever have. I bought unmounteds from other companies. I don't care if they go clear (as long as they go a quality clear and not the kind that yellow or go gummy) and I think that just unmounted rubber would be good too. I am just SO done with wood in my stamp room. If SU remains stubborn about the wood I predict customers will become increasingly disgruntled.
Here is a picture taken at the CTMH convention in '04, the year we switched to acrylic stamps... For those of you concerned with storage issues, this picture shows the difference between 18 wood stamps vs. 18 My Acrylix stamps. Like some of you, I was a die-hard wood and rubber stamper, and about fell out of my chair when the announcement was made at convention that we were going to acrylic stamps... But now, I can't STAND to use wood stamps anymore. ;)
I have never used anything except for a wood mounted rubber stamp, but I bet the other ones aren't bad. I would probably like them, so as long as they are quality, I'd get used to it.
I guess I just don't understand how unmounted/clear/whatever works because I have never seen one used or paid much attention to them in the store.
I fear the unknown!
__________________ Jessica
I started my GALLERY!!!!!!! I really *am* a stamper!
I prefer rubber to acrylic. It has a better feel to it and I always worry that my acrylics will rip if I don't take them off carefully. The rubber mounts on the foam cling and that adds stability *and* gives a better image.
SU as it stands now satisfies both camps, mounted and unmounted. They are delivered unmounted and those who wish to stay that way can. Those that prefer the wood mounts can mount them as they have always done.
One nice thing would be a price break on those that opt for the unmounted option. The absence of the the wooden block should bring the price down. Even tho SU stamps are VERY reasonably priced, I would buy many more if I could afford it
SU as it stands now satisfies both camps, mounted and unmounted. )
I must strong disagree. SU stamps are much, much more expensive than unmounted. Shipping costs could greatly be reduced if they went UM. Not to mention the waste of all that wood. I do not think the person who has gone completely unmounted and has done so for a period of time likes that they still have to buy the wood with SU. I wish they would give us the bare rubber at a reasonable cost.
SU as it stands now satisfies both camps, mounted and unmounted. They are delivered unmounted and those who wish to stay that way can. Those that prefer the wood mounts can mount them as they have always done.
One nice thing would be a price break on those that opt for the unmounted option. The absence of the the wooden block should bring the price down. Even tho SU stamps are VERY reasonably priced, I would buy many more if I could afford it
I think you make an excellent point. I never thought of that before but you are so right. If SU! would just give us a price option to buy the same set without wood for a reduced rate that would be awesome. Nothing would have to change for them except that they would not put the wood in some of the cases. I love all my stamps from the acrylics, to the unmounted rubber, to my wood mounts. Price does have me going more and more to the unmounted but I do not think that SU! is over priced at all for their incredible wood mounted sets.
I have some acrylics, but I'm not a huge fan, not sure why. Old fashioned? If nothing else, I'd like to see SU give the option of either, but not sure if tht is practical. I like the feel, etc., of the wood blocks.
And like Vonnie said, I worry about them ripping, too. I actually did have this happen with one of my Stampendous clear ones. I can still use it, but it's a pain. I am not gentle enough for the acrylic world, I fear!!
SU as it stands now satisfies both camps, mounted and unmounted. They are delivered unmounted and those who wish to stay that way can. Those that prefer the wood mounts can mount them as they have always done.
Agree wholeheartedly.
From what I have observed, I believe there is too much demand for all types, to warrant a company abandoning one market for the sake of another:
There are those that are die-hard WM fans and they always will be.
There are those that are die-hard UM fans.
There are those that are die-hard clear fans.
And, there are those that are hybrid stampers, like myself (and, I never thought I'd become a hybrid stamper that would embrace clear or UM), who, as long as the image is quality, and we like it, by golly, we'll buy it, whichever way it comes. ;)
There are benefits to each of these different forms of stamps--one is not better than another, outside of personal preference, and the technique the stamps are being used for.
I love the fact that there is so much variety in type--I love having ALL options, and I personally don't look at it as: Well, they don't offer clear, therefore, I refuse to buy. Or, they don't offer UM, so I refuse to buy.
I buy what I love from too many different, FABULOUS companies. I love it all! I AM STAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:mrgreen:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
From what I have observed, I believe there is too much demand for all types, to warrant a company abandoning one market for the sake of another:
There are those that are die-hard WM fans and they always will be.
There are those that are die-hard UM fans.
There are those that are die-hard clear fans.
And, there are those that are hybrid stampers, like myself (and, I never thought I'd become a hybrid stamper that would embrace clear or UM), who, as long as the image is quality, and we like it, by golly, we'll buy it, whichever way it comes. ;)
There are benefits to each of these different forms of stamps--one is not better than another, outside of personal preference, and the technique the stamps are being used for.
I love the fact that there is so much variety in type--I love having ALL options, and I personally don't look at it as: Well, they don't offer clear, therefore, I refuse to buy. Or, they don't offer UM, so I refuse to buy.
I buy what I love from too many different, FABULOUS companies. I love it all! I AM STAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't really like the clear stamps. I don't seem to get a good impression and it's hard to put longer stamps on the acrylic block straight. (I suppose if I had a line on my block, that would help.) I wish SU would offer unmounted AND mounted stamps. I'm now a convert to the unmounted stamps. It seems like such a waste of materials to have to toss the cushion that comes on the SU stamps. (Since I use the EZ Mount foam.) I now have a basket full of wood blocks (after tossing many many blocks turning my big conversion maybe six months ago).
I would like the option to buy unmounted.
Kimberly
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
I am afraid of unmounted/acrylic.....not sure why. I am one of those who also just likes to grab a set and work with it, I don't mind SU offering all kinds for everyone, but I don't want to have to worry about learning about cling, and clear, and whatever else~ I just like my little wood mounted red rubber stamps.
I am afraid of unmounted/acrylic.....not sure why. I am one of those who also just likes to grab a set and work with it, I don't mind SU offering all kinds for everyone, but I don't want to have to worry about learning about cling, and clear, and whatever else~ I just like my little wood mounted red rubber stamps.
When I use unmounted, I prefer clear (good quality clear, though). For some reason, unmounted rubber seems to me the worst of both worlds (as far as what *I* want in a stamp). I don't love fiddling with unmounted, but if the placement is fabulously easy (as with clear), it's worth it to me.
It's a good thing we have so many choices to fit so many stampers, isn't it? :-)
Location: Beautiful BC with my soulmate and he is a stamper too!!
Posts: 21,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieHRR
Agree wholeheartedly.
From what I have observed, I believe there is too much demand for all types, to warrant a company abandoning one market for the sake of another:
There are those that are die-hard WM fans and they always will be.
There are those that are die-hard UM fans.
There are those that are die-hard clear fans.
And, there are those that are hybrid stampers, like myself (and, I never thought I'd become a hybrid stamper that would embrace clear or UM), who, as long as the image is quality, and we like it, by golly, we'll buy it, whichever way it comes. ;)
There are benefits to each of these different forms of stamps--one is not better than another, outside of personal preference, and the technique the stamps are being used for.
I love the fact that there is so much variety in type--I love having ALL options, and I personally don't look at it as: Well, they don't offer clear, therefore, I refuse to buy. Or, they don't offer UM, so I refuse to buy.
I buy what I love from too many different, FABULOUS companies. I love it all! I AM STAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:mrgreen:
Amen!! LOL!! Very well said I AM STAMPER TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________ Kelly Emmie is my dog is case you were wondering Wanna read my Diary? Diaries Of A Stamper
So many choices.....so many preferences.....I would love it if SU would offer UM sets & would probably buy more. In '06 I purchased very few sets - out of room, focused on tools,got UM (not acrylic) from other companies. Have a few sets that are still untouched - I just make up my mind "To put them on the wood or not"...that is the question. Such a dilemma to have!!!
Kitty
I just made a giant leap and ordered two unmounted BGs from Cornish Heritage Farms (thanks Lisa) and sat for 10 minutes looking at the screen trying to make that decision. I'm pretty much all SU as far as stamps and have never used unmounted, but since I have Bellas on the way, I opted to try it for the large BGs. I just couldn't see adding two more large heavy wood blocks to my stamping inventory when there was another alternative. I think an unmounted option like CHF offers would be a good move for SU also.
I'm anxious to try it and see how it works for me. My only question, how do you store the large unmounted BGs. They won't fit in a CD case... any advice out there?
From what I have observed, I believe there is too much demand for all types, to warrant a company abandoning one market for the sake of another:
There are those that are die-hard WM fans and they always will be.
There are those that are die-hard UM fans.
There are those that are die-hard clear fans.
And, there are those that are hybrid stampers, like myself (and, I never thought I'd become a hybrid stamper that would embrace clear or UM), who, as long as the image is quality, and we like it, by golly, we'll buy it, whichever way it comes. ;)
There are benefits to each of these different forms of stamps--one is not better than another, outside of personal preference, and the technique the stamps are being used for.
I love the fact that there is so much variety in type--I love having ALL options, and I personally don't look at it as: Well, they don't offer clear, therefore, I refuse to buy. Or, they don't offer UM, so I refuse to buy.
I buy what I love from too many different, FABULOUS companies. I love it all! I AM STAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Personally I love mounted rubber. I have some unmounted rubber and some acrylics and I don't like them nearly as much as mounted rubber. I also love many different brands of stamps. As a demo I would love for SU to have the option of buying stamps mounted or unmounted. As for going to only acrylics, I would hate that!! I would definatly stop being a demo, since I am pretty much just a hobby demo anyway. I have a few acrylics and even though I love the image I hate the stamp!
wood mounted stamper here -- I do have some acrylics, but much prefer the wood mounted, like others, may just be too old a dog.... or something. I'm a stamper too and that's how I stamp, but I do go for the images first.
I have tried and tried to "like" clear stamps. I have purchased sets a number of times and even though I like the images, I just don't grab them and use them. I don't enjoy putting them on the acrylic blocks..taking them off again... Who could know why I find it irritating.
I have tried keeping my acrylic blocks on my work table thinking accessibility was the issue... it wasn't. Golly, I wish I knew why using them made me crabby ;o)
I must say, if I had the choice between rubber unmounted and clear, I would take clear. But the image with the clear is not crisp like a "rubber" image.
I MUCH prefer wood mounted rubber stamps. If SU went clear or unmounted only I would probably be able to survive quite nicely with my little collection of existing stamps. Maybe in a year or two I would come out of my den and venture into the world of "clear". No guarantees though.
I have purchased clear sets only to list them on e-bay (2 sets are listed on there now!). I do still have one MSE clear set that I purchased before Christmas 2006 - couldn't resist the cute images. I will see how much use it gets. So far I have only used it once. My other clear stamps were from CTMH and they have almost all been sent on to new and happier homes via e-bay.
Wow, this is starting to sound like the stay-at-home mom vs. working mom argument-I think we need an Oprah show to give this controversy it's due!!!!
(kidding-I agree with Julie, as long as the stamp is quality-I'll stamp with it and buy more! That being said, I haven't had my clear stamps long enough to see if they stand the test of time)
I didn't mean to start a debate "wood vs. clear vs. rubber vs. the next new thing!!" I just wondered if there were any clues that SU might go clear. Julie makes a good business case why they might not. I say "might not" because you just never know for sure!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I didn't mean to start a debate "wood vs. clear vs. rubber vs. the next new thing!!"
Totally.
Quote:
I just wondered if there were any clues that SU might go clear. Julie makes a good business case why they might not. I say "might not" because you just never know for sure!
I'm no econ genius, (soooooo true), but, they gave up offering foam mounted as an option because the profitability margin wasn't worth it. I don't see how this would be much different of a scenario for a company like SU! . . . :confused:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Any Rumors SU will Go Clear?
