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?
Yesterday I went to stamp a card using the Impression Obsession clear stamps ( the funny lady one's, just love those !!) and I used Ranger archival black ink, not a crisp & clean image by any means, then I moved onto memento ink and the same results. I also used an eraser (the only one i had was a small one on the pencil) and rub it over the stamp (s) and again no change. I was so bumbed. Can someone please tell me what I did wrong?
Thank-you in advance for any help & tips. I have sooo many clear stamps !!
If a good pencil scrub didn't work, here are a couple of other things to try:
Put a cushion under your paper, like a foam mat. It helps the paper sort of "push back" against the stamp to get better ink coverage.
Season the stamp by inking it up then stamping off several times before your final stamp without cleaning in between. I do this with rubber stamps sometimes too.
If all else fails, try using a very fine grit sandpaper, like the kind a manicurist might use, to lightly sand the image. It's possible the eraser might not have been enough.
Thank-you Betsy for the tips, I will try again. I'm also thinking that maybe a bigger eraser too. And I have some fine grit nail files that I will try as well !!
A tip from Kristina Werner that she learned from Tim Holtz about putting Jet Black Archival ink on stamps, let set, and then wipe off. She was priming her stamps to use with Zigs but it should work for ink, too.
Using a "cushion" under your paper when stamping is the key. Like a foam pad. You know how on a rubber stamp there is foam between the rubber layer and the wood block it is mounted on? Well that is the cushion that provides the crispness to those stamped images. You don't have that cushion with clear stamps unless you use a pad when stamping.
And, if you started stamping using only rubber stamps, you might be pressing down to hard on the paper. Using clear stamps I find I need to use less pressure to keep the image looking clean and crisp.
I have tons of clear stamps, both cheap ones and nicer expensive brands. I always get a good image when I use Versafine Onyx ink. It's a pigment ink, but dries pretty quickly. I use a magazine underneath to stamp on. As has been mentioned, the amount of pressure you use is important when using clear stamps vs. rubber.
If you have the budget for it, getting a Misti would solve your problems, because you can stamp over and over in the exact same spot.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Thank-you everyone for the suggestions ! I have used clear stamps in the past with no problems! I really don't think that having a "cushion" underneath will help, when I was inking the stamp you could see the splotchyness (if that is even a word lol) But I will still try !! Thanks again, I appreciate it !!
On some new clear stamps, I've found tapping the stamp gently with Versamark before putting on the actual color ink helps get more even coverage because the ink has something to stick to instead of beading up. Good luck!
I was ready to throw my clear stamps away, they were just sitting on a shelf taking up space. Then I purchased a MISTI and my stamps took on a new life. If I get a less than perfect image, I just reink and stamp again. Not only are my older stamps seeing the light of day but I've been purchases quite a few more new ones! My MISTI is one of my most used tools next to my Big Shot and paper trimmer!
On some new clear stamps, I've found tapping the stamp gently with Versamark before putting on the actual color ink helps get more even coverage because the ink has something to stick to instead of beading up. Good luck!
I tried the VersaMark yesterday and it worked wonderfully! Thanks for posting this tip.
Loving my clear stamps again, YAY !! I used the versafine black ink and it turned out great. Also used the versamark trick with also great results !! Oh and I also did use a piece of foam (from the CTMH stamp sets)
Clear stamps & ink, what am I doing wrong??
