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Hi Guys
I'm sure this question has probably been asked a thousand times, apologies if it has..
As a stamp designer/manufacturer, I wondered...
Do you still have a preference of one over the other?
Personally, I think the quality (and costs) of photopolymer (from a designer perspective) is so good now that I can get all the details in that I would from a rubber stamp,.. however,... there are benefits to rubber too!
I'd just be interested to know what you all think?
It's a tough question for sure. I can't imagine living without either of them, personally. I love the storage of photopolymer, and I love the durability of rubber. I have stamps in my collection that are 40 years old and as good as new.
FYI - the YouTube link on your main site appears to be broken.
I prefer photopolymer and I wish I could get every set from SU! that way. Maybe someday. I see no advantage to rubber, other than it gave a name to our hobby. Nobody says I do "clear stamping."
Mary Beth
The following 4 users liked this post by lutheran:
PS - LOVING that my profile says 'Glitter Queen'
ha ha ha ha ha
Appreciate it while you can, you’ll soon graduate to being a Compulsive Stamper!
If I was forced to chose, I’d go with rubber. I love both, they each have their uses but there are things I’d do with a rubber stamp I wouldn’t do with photopolymer (e.g. stamp into a pool of molten UTEE, iron a design into velvet, texture polymer clay) — not things I do often but nice to have the option. Photopolymer comes into its own with layering stamps so I’d choose it for those but if I could really only ever have one type, it would be “naked” rubber (storage not an issue then) and a stamp positioner or platform to solve any lining up issues.
I own thousands of rubber stamps and a few hundred clear sets, and I reach for the rubber more often. I think my brain remembers the art of the index stickers.
but, I do really enjoy being able to put sentiments into a stamping platform like a Misti. re-inking something on watercolor paper is a big plus also so, the modern rubber I have bought is all on cling foam and if I could only get it as neekid rubber I put it on cling foam.
hth,
I like the photopolymer best. It is just easier to store and easy to use with a Misti. The rubber stamps I do own are mostly unmounted or are cling stamps. I do not care for the blocks; too bulky. I do like rubber,but photopolymer are my favorites.
The following 2 users liked this post by hoptownracer1:
I definitely prefer rubber. Except for layering stamps as Joanne mentioned, but I don't use many of those. If I could buy the same stamp in rubber or photopolymer I'd go for bare rubber almost every time.
I prefer RUBBER for the smaller environmental impact AND for consistently crisp images without needing a cushion. Will buy plastic only if the image has strong appeal and it is absolutely not available any other way.
__________________ Do or do not - there is no try! (Yoda) / SCS Featured Stamper FS730 / Dirty Dozen Alumni
I prefer rubber stamps. They "feel" better to me and I get better stamped images using them. Rubber stamps also seem to be more versatile for techniques (especially my favorite, coloring on my stamps with markers).
I'll even say that I prefer wood-mounted rubber stamps, for their convenience and hand feel. I just bought 18 wood-mounted SU! sets from someone and it's been a blast using them!
__________________ Nicole
The following 4 users liked this post by cnsteele:
Hi Phil
I hope we will see more of you here-post some cards in the gallery! I know your line
I am conflicted here.
As mentioned, you can do more with rubber, including stamping with paint and I find it easier to use cling on a block to make my own DP than in a MISTI.
Plus clear can melt. We have had people with that problem repeatedly-it is the packaging. Will you use duralar or whatever the safe one is? Rubber can go hard/rigid. but I have only seen that rarely and like Lydia I have very old stamps.
Rubber is also way easier to clean to me, esp with red inks and Stazon.
On the other hand, the layering stamps are pretty cool. The visibility when you stamp with clear is very nice. And I dont see matching dies with rubber much.
That's not much help I suppose. lol. When I imagine a world with only one kind....I think I would go with cling rubber. But I hope we continue to have both choices.
__________________ Margot
I am a proud fan club member
I still love my wood mounted rubber; I have 30 year old stamps that work as well as the day I bought them. Luckily I have plenty of room to store them. I think I get a better stamped image with them than with polymer.
I do have plenty of clear stamps, too, but the reason is one of buying what is available. My biggest objection to them is being forced to buy a set of stamps when i only have use for one or two on the page. I also have had problems, occasionally, with the image slightly bending. Grr!
I have developed a latex allergy and the rubber stamps make me wheeze. So I gave away all my rubber stamps and use clear stamps exclusively. I loved my old rubber stamps and it hurt my heart a little to let them go but it was better than being miserable from the latex.
Some of my clear stamps have been icky and sticky but most are holding up and stamping well.
Hi Guys
I'm sure this question has probably been asked a thousand times, apologies if it has..
As a stamp designer/manufacturer, I wondered...
Do you still have a preference of one over the other?
Personally, I think the quality (and costs) of photopolymer (from a designer perspective) is so good now that I can get all the details in that I would from a rubber stamp,.. however,... there are benefits to rubber too!
I'd just be interested to know what you all think?
Happy Crafting!
Phill
x
The problem I have with rubber is that the “cling” stops working and the stamp falls off the block or the stamp positioner. I have a gripe on those stamps that are sold without indexing the stamps. I can’t tell you have many times I have stamped upside down without having the image on the stamp. I quit buying a rubber stamp without the image.
I think I prefer rubber stamps NOT mounted on wood blocks. Rubber seems longer lasting. The clear has their advantages with being able to see through them. Honestly since the stamp platforms have hit the market I look more at the design of the stamp than what it is made of. But if I had to choose one...I would say "rubber" as it is more consistently durable. The clear ones come in all kinds of quality and hard for me as a consumer to know which are good. Long answer, sorry
The following 3 users liked this post by craftyduo:
The problem I have with rubber is that the “cling” stops working and the stamp falls off the block or the stamp positioner. I have a gripe on those stamps that are sold without indexing the stamps. I can’t tell you have many times I have stamped upside down without having the image on the stamp. I quit buying a rubber stamp without the image.
You'll find loads of discussion on this if you want lots of detail but keeping it brief so we don’t hijack the thread, the bottom line is to wash your cling stamps with warm warm and mild dish soap, let them air dry and they’ll cling again..
Actually, I prefer the clear. I have had to recolor the rubber and stamp so that the image or sentiment is legible. I give away most of my rubber. Clear seems to be a bit easier to clean. I am using a toothbrush to get in the crevices. I had bought backs that I would need to adhere to stamping. I would need to cut around the stamp. That is hard on my hands.
I don't know if photopolymer stamps have been upgraded as I really ad void buying these stamps now,, but in the past I have had problems. First problem I had was difficulty removing's stamps from the hard plastic storage from manufacture. I have had stamps rip. Second problem is yellowing and third I have had these stamps get so gummy with age that they would not stamp clearly.
I prefer rubber cling as I don't have listed problems with them.
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Rubber, for sure - unmounted. Rubber is far more durable and, as mentioned, more versatile for techniques, etc. If you can find a way to put cling (without the foam, just the cling) on them so no two-way glue or other "sticky" is required, that would be an amazing dream come true!
__________________ ~ Sue Happy for no reason...
The following 4 users liked this post by gregzgurl:
This is so interesting! I thought most would prefer photopolymer. This explains why Stampin Up still produces those cling stamps I dislike. Washing and air drying doesn't always work on cling stamps that have lost their sticky attributes - that is frustrating.
Storage is a big issue for me with rubber on blocks.
The image on the cling stamps is definitely important! And I don't like "do-it-yourself-positioning" of a sticker or image on the stamp.
Storage on the correct surface is important for photopolymer; I worry about that with my stamps.
This is so interesting! I thought most would prefer photopolymer. This explains why Stampin Up still produces those cling stamps I dislike. Washing and air drying doesn't always work on cling stamps that have lost their sticky attributes - that is frustrating.
Storage is a big issue for me with rubber on blocks.
The image on the cling stamps is definitely important! And I don't like "do-it-yourself-positioning" of a sticker or image on the stamp.
Storage on the correct surface is important for photopolymer; I worry about that with my stamps.
Ugh, I agree with you here. I've accidentally dropped a few stamps while putting the image stickers on and that was that - once any part of the sticker image touches the foam, it is not coming off without ripping the foam. Stampers Anonymous does it right - excellent quality rubber and foam, images printed on the foam, and cling that has never failed.
I will always love rubber wood mount stamps. That said, using a stamp platform really makes it easier to get a perfect stamped image. I own WAY TOO MANY of both kinds- I am a stamping junkie.
Photopolymer or Rubber?
