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I like versafine ink pads for very detailed images.
In past postings, it was shown by Gina K, how her paper produces
clear images, and it is defintely the finest paper I have tried for
stamping images. She is on this site, and the paper has to be order online
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
HappyGirl....Are you pressing too hard with the stamp on the paper? Try puttng a stamping pad under your paper. You might want to try a different brand of paper and ink. Is the stamp you're trying to use a detailed one or is it possibly one that is not a deeply cut and crisp image?
These are all things to consider and that can effect the stamped image.
I am partial to Memento inks and Papertreyink's white paper. Works like a charm for me. And, like Patti said, you may want to see if the amount of pressure you are using may be causing the issue. :-)
It does sound like the paper, but for me depending on thw quality of the stamp acrylic work best with chalk or pigment ink; sometimes you have to condition the stamp by running an eraser across the stamp or rub it on your jeans
When testing you may want to systematically try different ways
Same paper same stamp different inks (this lets you know if it's the ink)
Same paper different stamp same ink (this lets you know it's the stamp)
Different paper same stamp same ink (this lets you know its the paper)
Also, sometimes you get an acrylic stamp that just will not stamp a crisp image and no amount of conditioning will help. It's a baaaaaaad stamp....
Stampin up's Whisper White cardstock is the best I have found for taking the ink. I like Gina K's white card stock for a card base, but not for taking ink.
I like SU Whisper White and SU classic ink for just plain stamping. I like Gina K and Memento ink for coloring. Like Stamphappy said, it takes some trial and error to find what works best for you.
Paper makes a BIG difference. I have used the inexpensive packs from M's, and it just doesn't hold up well for anything. I like SU paper and ink, and I've also found that Georgia Pacific ($5 something at Wmart) cardstock 110 lb with Memento ink works really well. My other fave is the cat's eye stacks, it's much easier to see if the stamp is inked up properly. Also, as another poster said, use a pad of some sort underneath, and make sure the surface you are stamping on is a nice flat table. I used to sit on the floor and used a piece of showerboard (like the erasable calendars) as my base. too much movement. Every stamp is a new adventure.....I like to stamp off an image several times so I can test the ink performance. Then whatever medium you use to color can affect the final image. I love digis, but can't color them pretty with the printer ink. It always smears. Copics do that to me every time..smear, smear, smear.
Glad I'm not the only one with issues.
__________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.
Not sure, but I am convinced that we all stamp a little differently. It is the only way to explain why some stampers get crisp images with clear stamps and some never do.
I generally have very good luck combining SU Classic inks with clear stamps, but there are some clear stamps that are too cheap and I cannot get a clear image no matter what.
A lot of stampers swear by Versacolor for clear stamps. I haven't tried it.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
Not sure, but I am convinced that we all stamp a little differently. It is the only way to explain why some stampers get crisp images with clear stamps and some never do.
I generally have very good luck combining SU Classic inks with clear stamps, but there are some clear stamps that are too cheap and I cannot get a clear image no matter what.
A lot of stampers swear by Versacolor for clear stamps. I haven't tried it.
I think humidity has a role to play too.
Before I would go invest in another cardstock I would blast what I am going to stamp on with my heat gun just to ensure it is "dry". Don't burn it but you might just be surprised how damp your cardstock may already be. My cardstock will slightly curl and stop and then when I take off the heat it will flatten and then I stamp and get a good image.
Not sure, but I am convinced that we all stamp a little differently. It is the only way to explain why some stampers get crisp images with clear stamps and some never do.
I generally have very good luck combining SU Classic inks with clear stamps, but there are some clear stamps that are too cheap and I cannot get a clear image no matter what.
A lot of stampers swear by Versacolor for clear stamps. I haven't tried it.
Joan, I think that's exactly it. There are just so many variables with all of this; temperature, humidity levels, stamping technique...it's nice to have so many different ideas to try so that if one doesn't work another might.
I know that many, many times when I reink my pads I'm absolutely stunned at the difference, lol! I can't imagine how I'd let them get so dry without noticing, but with the fresh ink the images were so amazing! So definitely try that...
This is only a suggestion, but you might try looking at the way you are stamping. A lot of my customers "hit" the stamp on the paper(quick up and down) and get a bad image. Some of my customers rock their stamps...blurred image. Try inking your stamp straight up and down into the ink and then set your stamp straight onto the paper, gently then apply pressure with your finger tips...not the palm of your hand. This technique has solved a lot of my customers "bad image" problems and it isn't the stamp, paper or ink!
I always had trouble with the SU Black ink. Even more so after I tried re-inking the pad!!
I've switched to Memento Black and have had no problem.
I only use GINA K & PTI White for my stamped images.
You can turn both of those papers over and stamp on the other side without seeing the first side. (I tend to make some mistakes!!!);)
__________________ Cindy Please visit my BLOG I'd love to know what you think!!
I had the same problem with SU ink and acrylic/clear stamps. I changed to Memento and Versafine ink when I use the acrylic stamps and have a lovely, clear image.
OP, you've already listed a whole bunch very possible reasons why it's not working for you. I think any are realistic. The easiest two to figure for are 1) paper and 2) technique. I'd get at least one good quality paper (Neenah, GK, SU!) and then try several different degrees of inking and stamping.
It took me a while to realize just how little ink I needed on a stamp (did the 'too much', 'just right', 'too little', back to 'just right' learning curve). I was lucky to have a great stamping friend/mentor to show me how to place the stamp on the paper and get a good image.
I can't explain it entirely, would have to show it, but it has a lot to do with putting the stamp straight down onto the paper and lifting it straight off with a slick little trick in between for pressing it evenly on the paper without pushing too hard. If it helps ... I learned that I always need to stand when stamping my images. I can sit for everything else, but to get a clean, even image, I'm a standing kind of stamper.
But I also agree with those who've noted that there are other things besides paper quality and technique that can get in the way of a crisp image.
Have fun playing around with this!
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
When using acrylic stamps, it is *very* important to put a cushion under your paper or cardstock, because the stamp doesn't have that layer of cushion between it and the block.
- CTMH includes a small piece of foamy-stuff with their sets, but they're the only ones I've encountered that do that.
- You can sometimes find the same stuff wrapped around electronics when packaged.
- Fun foam, the sheets they make for kids crafts, also works.
- The grid style stamping mats are awesome, too. Just turn them grid-side down and use the softer cushion on the back. SU makes one, so does CTMH, and sometimes even Mike's or WM have them in their Martha Stewart section.
I also have to agree that you need quality paper to get a crisp image. The smoother the paper, the less the ink will "feather" or "bleed". Sadly, the smoother paper is usually more expensive, but it's ALWAYS worth the investment. Not only does your work look better, you waste less of it on re-dos!
I have a tip that I read from Sharon Johnson's Blog about preparing your stamps before you use them - see this link. Even though it is about JustRite stamps, it is still pertinent for any stamps. Sharon also has this link to Lesley Miller's Blog who also gives some tips. Just scroll down a little to read the section entitled: A little note about Clear Stamps.
Personally, once I had read Sharon's tips, I always clean my stamps before I use them for the first time. And yes, I have sanded some of my stamps ever so lightly and it makes the world of difference. But make sure you know how to do it properly via Sharon's instructions. I always run my eraser over my clear stamps too (Lesley's tip), and it really works!
For clear & rubber stamps that I am colouring with Prismas & Gamsol, I use Memento Tuxedo Black because the image doesn't bleed with this technique. I use Stazon Jet Black when I am just stamping eg: a sentiment, but not colouring; the Stazon ink seems to give a clearer image. I find it harder to get a clear image with clear stamps using pigment inks vs. dye inks, but found a bit less pressure when stamping can help.
The quality of the cs makes a world of difference - poor quality = poor results. I have trouble getting clear images on watercolour paper, but simply use my Zig Millenium black pen to go over any lines that didn't come out, but heat-set it BEFORE I colour it, or it will bleed. Or I will use the Zig pen once my image has been coloured and dried.
I use Versafine Onyx Black ink for perfect results on nearly every kind of cardstock or paper. I've never had problems with SU ink pads on any cardstock, have you tried reinking your stamp pad?
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Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Is is the stamp, cardstock, ink or me?
