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"HELP" so frustrated...Thomas Kinkade stamp so hard to ink...how do you do it?
I bought a Thomas Kinkade rubber stamp and have not been able to use it. Tlhe rubber is not cut very deep at all and of course the picture on the stamp is so elaborate that it looks like TK himself did it. When I ink it up with black ink, it looks so boogered up that it's an instant train wreck!! I tried brown-gray, I tried stamping off, I tried sponging the ink onto the rubber...it's just a jumbled mess.
I also bought a really soft looking birds nest rubber stamp with a butterfly, the image they have looks so so so soft and do you think you can get that look, not I!! Frustrating to me, but if any of you have any pointers, I would be estatic!!
__________________ The way to knowLIFEis to LOVEmany things!- Vincent Van Gogh
I'm sure you've tried this but I thought maybe a brayer might work? I don't have any of his stamps so I don't know but it's just a thought. I'm sure someone will come along soon with better advice. Good luck!
I don't know what kind of ink you are using but have you tried VersaFine? - it's made for those more detailed stamps. VersaFine works well with those finely etched stamps that look like old photographs....this ink doesn't clog up those open spaces so that it gives a clear stamping..... HTH!
__________________ ChaosMom Thanks for visiting my: Gallery!
I agree on the brayer for Thomas Kinkaid images. I had success with many different kinds of ink, including Brilliance and Adirondack inks. The brayer was always *key* to me for a smooth ink application. As discussed in the video that Judi linked, smooth paper is an absolute must. If your paper has any kind of tooth or groove, you are going to end up with a blotchy stamped image. I've had very good results with Choice Snow White and Choice Cream from Taylored Expressions, and many companies offer smooth stamping papers so I would encourage you to experiment with papers you have just as much as you do the ink.
Cornish Heritage Farms produced beautiful deeply etched red rubber stamps, but the super fine detail of the Kinkaid stamps didn't allow for that same depth across the entire face of the stamp in that particular line.
Another vote for a brayer if you're having issues. I've tended to use either Versafine or Adirondack dye inks with the Kinkade stamps (Adirondack Espresso is my absolute go-to). As Lori says, a really smooth cardstock is also essential - Simply Smooth is another good choice.
Let us know how you get on, somebody may have other suggestions if you're still having problems.
YAY!!!! Thank you so much, I will have to get some of the versa fine or Adirondack inks!! I have smooth paper but will have to make certain that I use that specifically!! Thank you so much, I have a large group of gals that will be as happy to hear about this as I am!! Thank you "CRAFTS" for the Utube video, I always forget about looking there, but have found a few wonderful ideas there when directed by friends!!
__________________ The way to knowLIFEis to LOVEmany things!- Vincent Van Gogh
The TK stamp is "It's the Good Life", I won't be able to get the ink for a bit, I live in a really small town and won't get to town for a couple weeks, but that's okay, I now know what to look for!!! So excited!!
__________________ The way to knowLIFEis to LOVEmany things!- Vincent Van Gogh
I never had that one in my hands but I certainly don't recall any discussion amongst the DT to suggest it had any problems. Did you find the CHF Gallery? It's still up and running and there are quite a few samples made with that stamp - most of them will tell you what ink was used in the description so maybe you can get some more ideas there too. The Good Life gallery is here. If you go to the "crumb trail" near the top of the page you can go to the overall Kinkade gallery and maybe samples made with other stamps might also give you some ink and paper ideas.
At times, I have found that a large detailed stamp will give a much crisper image if I a) ink stamp carefully with versafine, b) turn inked stamp upright on a table and c) press cardstock carefully onto inked image. If you try to stamp a large stamp onto paper, it will often not ink well in the center of the image. But pressing the paper to the stamped image gives more control of the ink coverage. Hope that helps!
Another vote for VersaFine ink. That's what I use with my one TK stamp.
Would Versafine work good with embossing powders too? I am thinking of those smaller word stamps and how sometimes when you ink and emboss them they powder pops and makes it harder to read. Or maybe I just need a finer EP?
Would Versafine work good with embossing powders too? I am thinking of those smaller word stamps and how sometimes when you ink and emboss them they powder pops and makes it harder to read. Or maybe I just need a finer EP?
Vesafine works really well with embossing powders, but i've only used fine embossing powders with it.
I also use VersaFine ink. Also try stamping with a mouse pad under your paper. This will help give a cushion for even stamping. That is about the only way I have success with intricate stamps, including TK stamps. HTH
MeL
I use starzon ink for my tk and I also but a magizine under my paper so that there is a little more give when you push on your stamp that always works for me
Although I almost always use Memento inks.....I do use Versafine for TK stamps. It truly makes a HUGE difference!! The other trick I use is that I use an original Sizzix machine when stamping any detailed and large stamps (TK and House Mouse). The impression comes out so even and beautiful!!!
Would Versafine work good with embossing powders too? I am thinking of those smaller word stamps and how sometimes when you ink and emboss them they powder pops and makes it harder to read. Or maybe I just need a finer EP?
Versafine works very well for heat embossing. Fine embossing powder really does make all the difference with fine lined rubber images. My recommendation would be to get clear fine embossing powder and use it on the Versafine inked image.
The Versafine ink has rich deep color and the fine clear embossing powder adds the gloss and depth without adding the mess of speckles that tend to appear in inappropriate places when you use colored embossing powder.
Although I almost always use Memento inks.....I do use Versafine for TK stamps. It truly makes a HUGE difference!! The other trick I use is that I use an original Sizzix machine when stamping any detailed and large stamps (TK and House Mouse). The impression comes out so even and beautiful!!!
Can you explain how you use a Sizzix machine to stamp? It sounds interesting!!
What I do is slide the inked stamp that's on top of the cardstock under that plate very carefully. Then gently pull that lever down. Then slide the image/stamp and pull the lever down again. Usually I do this 2 or 3 times depending on the size of the stamp. It works like a charm!!
Wow~Wow~Wow!!!! So Awesome!! The versafine with very smooth paper worked beautifully!! I did use a piece of foam under the paper for cushion, but a mouse pad would definately work too. I have the whole collection of StazOn, haven't used those in like, forEVER, but I may try them because I got the black Versafine and I would prefer brown. (I didn't expect to get it for a couple weeks, but my GF picked it up for me, we're like a bunch of little kids-HA)!!
So~So~So cool, thanks for all your help!! Loving it!
__________________ The way to knowLIFEis to LOVEmany things!- Vincent Van Gogh
Good Grief....looking at those stamps makes me know I am a lazy stamper!! :0 Sheese Louisie...I could never even attempt to stamp the black image. You ladies are really good.
Wow~Wow~Wow!!!! So Awesome!! The versafine with very smooth paper worked beautifully!!
Yay, so glad you found something that works for you! the Versafine Vintage Sepia is a great colour to use with most of the Kinkade stamps if you're looking for a brown ink to go alongside your black.
Thanks NancyK that is exactly the stamp I was talking about~love your raised butterfly-perfect!!
AngelNorth I may look for the Vintage Sepia, it's fun to be excited all over again. (Never lost my desire, but haven't been "excited" about anything new for a while).
I'm having trouble down loading my pix onto my computer for some reason...hmmm haven't added anything to my gallery for ages and ages!!! I will keep trying.
__________________ The way to knowLIFEis to LOVEmany things!- Vincent Van Gogh
"HELP" so frustrated...Thomas Kinkade stamp so hard to ink...how do you do it?
