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Looks are kind of deceiving I think. When I look directly down on the stamp, the sprig is to the right just a smidge. Looking at the pictures, it looks like it's not. Odd. I did notice one thing that might help, though. Even though I had the lines in the X lined up, the center was not at the exact center. Does that make sense? At first glance, it looked like everything was lined up but I did need to move it (down, in my case) a little bit to make the center of the X exact.
__________________ "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack" ~Rudyard Kipling my gallery
I found these stamps to be more work than I wanted to give to it. Between making the Xs on the stamp and snugging into the corner of the Misti and rotating the cardstock --I spent hours. I never did get a perfect image. It may have something to do with my sight ... maybe I just can't get the X lines positioned properly. I have given up and am selling mine on yard sale. sigh
It may have something to do with my sight ... maybe I just can't get the X lines positioned properly. I have given up and am selling mine on yard sale. sigh
Don't do that! Really, it will work - maybe take a break from it for a week or so and then follow this thread while you try again. I say this for encouragement and no other reason: I am almost completely blind in one eye and have serious issues with depth perception. I had to hunch down and get personal with my stamp positioner to get the stamp in the right place but once it's there, it's there and it's not going anywhere. I hope you don't give up!
__________________ "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack" ~Rudyard Kipling my gallery
Looks are kind of deceiving I think. When I look directly down on the stamp, the sprig is to the right just a smidge. Looking at the pictures, it looks like it's not. Odd. I did notice one thing that might help, though. Even though I had the lines in the X lined up, the center was not at the exact center. Does that make sense? At first glance, it looked like everything was lined up but I did need to move it (down, in my case) a little bit to make the center of the X exact.
Yes that does make sense — thank you!
What doesn't make sense is when I get a portion of the stamp aligned on the alignment guide, other parts of the stamp go out of alignment! I have seriously never experienced such a frustrating stamp. I should get my jig on Saturday and after that I will determine if the stamp set gets passed on to some other poor sucker ha ha Ha ha ha
I found these stamps to be more work than I wanted to give to it. Between making the Xs on the stamp and snugging into the corner of the Misti and rotating the cardstock --I spent hours. I never did get a perfect image. It may have something to do with my sight ... maybe I just can't get the X lines positioned properly. I have given up and am selling mine on yard sale. sigh
I so appreciate everyone rooting for us here, and all of these fantastic tips, but I think it's okay to move on too. Life is short, and there are so many fabulous, non-frustrating stamps to use. I feel you!:-(
If drawing those lines on the stamp is such a critical step to achieving success when stamping with it, why doesn't the manufacturer print them on the back of the stamp? ... I have been looking askance at the "turnabout" stamps, and I'm glad I haven't sprung for them yet. I'll keep watching this thread to see if things improve. Many thanks to the OP poppydarling. Good luck to all!
That's why the company came out with alignment guides for all the turnabouts. A package for all the older stamps is only $4. It eliminates the need for lines since it is a clear sheet with the stamp and lines printed. You put the stamp on the sheet, put the clear sheet on the turntable/jig in the MISTI and close the door over the stamp. Then you remove the clear sheet. Works like a charm.
That's why the company came out with alignment guides for all the turnabouts. A package for all the older stamps is only $4. It eliminates the need for lines since it is a clear sheet with the stamp and lines printed. You put the stamp on the sheet, put the clear sheet on the turntable/jig in the MISTI and close the door over the stamp. Then you remove the clear sheet. Works like a charm.
So I need to buy a jig ($7.99) a huge pack of alignment guides ($4, and 24 of the 25 I don't need) plus shipping (approx. $6-8 on C&9th site). So we're up to nearly $20.
I worked in marketing for a long time and I have some free advice for the company: Instead of making stampers pay basically twice to use a stamp, they could either: 1) improve the design of the stamp going forward (lines preprinted on the back of the stamp etc.) or 2) send individual alignment guides and those cheap jigs inexpensively, let's say USPS first-class, to everyone who has purchased prior versions, to help frustrated stampers who have already invested in the "turnabout" experience :lol:.
It's pretty simple if you have a customer service mentality -- and you would save people from wading through a 50-post string on Splitcoast Stampers that way. :-)
THE CARDSTOCK YOUR STAMPING ON MUST BE PERFECT SQUARE. NOT A RECTANGLE
Jennifer McGuire has a long video on using turnabout stamps and she uses rectangular (A2) sized paper , stamps the design asymmetrically/off the paper etc. Seems to work just fine for her as usual but not for me :p
I bought 4 turnabouts at my 1st C&9 purchase. 3 worked beautifully, but the 4th did not, no matter how many times I tried. Made my decide not to buy any more... I did get all of the alignment jigs, so that wasn't the issue.
Hmm, this thread tells me that I never want to purchase these type stamps, LOL! Way too much fussing for my temperament, lovely as they are!
Some are more forgiving than others! Do not, however, under any circumstances, buy the Dahlia turnabout or you will be carted off to the loony bin while you throw the pieces as far away as you can...
__________________ Diana B
-We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all. ~John Hughes
...I worked in marketing for a long time and I have some free advice for the company: Instead of making stampers pay basically twice to use a stamp, they could either: 1) improve the design of the stamp going forward (lines preprinted on the back of the stamp etc.) or 2) send individual alignment guides and those cheap jigs inexpensively, let's say USPS first-class, to everyone who has purchased prior versions, to help frustrated stampers who have already invested in the "turnabout" experience :lol:.
I think they got that message going forward, but yes, it's frustrating not to be able to make something work and then have to buy something else to (try to) make it work.
__________________ Diana B
-We're all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that's all. ~John Hughes
I get frustrated with these stamps too. Why don't they just manufacture it with the lines on there instead of us having to try and get things absolutely perfect?
__________________ nancy y http://www.squirrelyart.blogspot.com/
I don't think you should have to pay more money to buy something that should have been included with the stamps in the first place. It's outrageous to expect your customers to plop down more money to make a product work. I, too, believe that it's OK to say, "This isn't for me," and move on. I believe in not frustrating or aggravating myself, if I can help it. In this case, I could help it.
You could always cut a piece of paper 6x6 square and fold it from corner to corner, twice. Draw your lines on the creases and there's your jig. Doesn't cost anything and will probably work the same way. It's a thought.
__________________ "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack" ~Rudyard Kipling my gallery
Some are more forgiving than others! Do not, however, under any circumstances, buy the Dahlia turnabout or you will be carted off to the loony bin while you throw the pieces as far away as you can...
You could always cut a piece of paper 6x6 square and fold it from corner to corner, twice. Draw your lines on the creases and there's your jig. Doesn't cost anything and will probably work the same way. It's a thought.
You would think that would be simple enough but I don't think it's precise enough for this stamp! For instance my 6 x 6 paper from a commercial paper pad was just about an 1/8" to 1/4" off and it didn't turn out…
Poppydarling, I want to thank you for alerting me to this customer service disaster of a company. Just my opinion. First they put out a product that's lacking, then they double down on it and you have to have an alignment tool, then you try to call them for help and crickets. Not in a million years would I give them a dollar of my money. P.S. - those of you who can get it to work for you are very lucky people, you are the exception not the norm. Stamps should not be this difficult. Period. End. Stop.
Some are more forgiving than others! Do not, however, under any circumstances, buy the Dahlia turnabout or you will be carted off to the loony bin while you throw the pieces as far away as you can...
Yes, the Dahlia turnabout was the one I was having so much trouble with but I was able to get beautiful, perfect images once my husband fixed the x's on the stamp and the jig.
Poppydarling, I want to thank you for alerting me to this customer service disaster of a company. Just my opinion. First they put out a product that's lacking, then they double down on it and you have to have an alignment tool, then you try to call them for help and crickets. Not in a million years would I give them a dollar of my money. P.S. - those of you who can get it to work for you are very lucky people, you are the exception not the norm. Stamps should not be this difficult. Period. End. Stop.
I, too, was disappointed in them. I placed a large order and then...nothing. I emailed them with a complaint because their website turn around (not turnabout!) time was supposed to be only a day or 2, but that had passed quietly (and of course I was impatient to get the stuff!).
I did get an apology email--they said they were busy due to a convention, and they gave me a discount on my next order. Since I'd just placed a big order I wasn't too excited about the discount--I think it had an expiration date on it, too... (but I may be wrong about that). So...frustrating but they did try to help.
Some are more forgiving than others! Do not, however, under any circumstances, buy the Dahlia turnabout or you will be carted off to the loony bin while you throw the pieces as far away as you can...
YES! That's the one that gave me trouble, too! It was the last of the ones I got that I tried--the others worked well for me. I haven't used any of them since because that one was so frustrating!
I'm also finding a lot of their turnabout styles are getting...boring. I'm not as interested in them now. Guess I'm saving money.
FYI for those concerned about C&9 customer service: you can also order their stamps from other companies such as Simon Says Stamp and Scrapbook.com.
FYI - I also had problems with several of the turnabout stamps getting them aligned just right. The measurements of the cardboard jig and the x on it had to be perfect as well as getting the lines on the stamp perfect. Got frustrated with them, but had several and they really didn't get used.
Bought the new pack of alignment guides for all the previous turnabouts and a jig. Stamps perfectly now! I've tried several and they all work now. Even the Dahlia! LOL! Amazing difference for me. I've fallen in love all over again with the polka dot one.
All turnabouts (even the older ones) sold from now on come on WITH the alignment guide. Still need to purchase the jig one time only. Not ideal for people who had purchased previously, but at least they've solved the problem going forward and offered a solution for past purchasers.
Poppydarling, I want to thank you for alerting me to this customer service disaster of a company. Just my opinion. First they put out a product that's lacking, then they double down on it and you have to have an alignment tool, then you try to call them for help and crickets. Not in a million years would I give them a dollar of my money. P.S. - those of you who can get it to work for you are very lucky people, you are the exception not the norm. Stamps should not be this difficult. Period. End. Stop.
I’ve talked to quite a few people at my LSS (customers/students and staff) who have used turnabout stamps and I have several, and hadn’t heard any complaints. Honestly? I don’t think we’re the exception, maybe are OCD about lines placement? ;)
I’m not discounting your personal experience at all - just that it’s more likely to see posts (on any forum) from people who have had problems with an item than from people who are happy with it. Just my take; YMMV.
I’ve talked to quite a few people at my LSS (customers/students and staff) who have used turnabout stamps and I have several, and hadn’t heard any complaints. Honestly? I don’t think we’re the exception, maybe are OCD about lines placement? ;)
I’m not discounting your personal experience at all - just that it’s more likely to see posts (on any forum) from people who have had problems with an item than from people who are happy with it. Just my take; YMMV.
The company had to create a whole alignment package to help people make the stamps work. That tells you everything you need to know. wink wink right back at you;)
The company had to create a whole alignment package to help people make the stamps work. That tells you everything you need to know. wink wink right back at you;)
Was I winking? I thought I was smiling - bad eyes. Again, not discounting others’ experiences, just describing that my and some others’ experiences have been different - which I hope is acceptable. (I watched the original Jennifer McGuire video, which helped with the first set-up and was nervous doing it.)
As for everything I need to know, clearly there were enough complaints and requests for help that the company decided to make templates. Whether that was 10% of buyers or 50%, we don’t know.
My first turnabout stamp had a small flaw - one triangle wouldn’t stamp completely, even if stamping multiple times. They replaced it after seeing a photo and didn’t ask for the original back.
They have downloadable alignment guides. If you have something like transparencies or even vellum, you could print on that.
I have a few turnabouts, nowhere near all of them. I'm not willing to buy the pack of guides for every set. I do have the one you have, Poppy, but I haven't used it yet. Hopefully I can try it tomorrow and I'll let you know how it works, or doesn't as the case may be. I downloaded the guide and have transparencies to print on. If this works, I'll print and send you you one.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
