Stamp Questions...

[Paperhappy3]

I'm sure some of these questions have been answered before...I did a search and answered some other questions, but not these.

1) I ordered some custom stamps made with polymer resin on E-bay...they are beautiful, but they seem sticky on the stamping side. I tried stamping one of them with dye ink and it worked fine.
A) Is this stickyness caused because maybe they are low quality or is this normal for this type of stamp??

B) the dye ink stained the stamp, is this normal too?

2) Three of the four I ordered are unmounted. They came with a foam backing and double sided tape on the back. I tried putting one on an acrylic block to stamp, but when I tried to take it off, the tape stuck to the block not the stamp. I was able to peel off the tape and put it back on the stamp, but it left some residue on the block. I tried to clean it off with soap and water, but it didn't do much good.
A) Would cleaning my block with rubbing alcohol work and not hurt my block??

B) Would you recommend that I take the foam and/or double sided tape off and replace it with something else or should I find an inexpensive wood or acrylic block to use exclusively for each one?

Thank you in advance for any help that you can give me!!!

[luvpaisley]

I will try to help, but not sure I have the right answers. I'm not sure about why the fronts are sticky, but I know some clear stamps I get are like that and i've read to use a clean, pencil eraser and lightly go over them to remove residue from manufacturing. And as you use them they should get less sticky.

As for the block...For my unmounted stamps I use a block on which I leave double sided tape to make it easier/quicker. I don't really worry about having my blocks super clean, i wipe them down once in a while, but a little dot of ink here or there doesn't bother me. I've not seen stamps where they send them like you say, all my unmounted stamps are just rubber or rubber and foam. I would not buy a block for all the stamps b/c that seems like it would be a waste of money.

As long as you are getting clean images and you can see thru the block then maybe not worry about it?! Just keep regular maintenance on them and it should be fine.

Again, I'm no expert.

[stamper1996]

1a. I too have had custom stamps made (by village impressions) and they were stickier than other clear stamps I had used. If you use a pencil eraser to remove the residue on the stamped area, then give it a good scrubbing in your stamp scrubber, it really helps.
1b. Yes, I have noticed that they stain easier. Does not affect stamp performance though.

2a. I would not use rubbing alcohol on an acrylic block. Some people here swear by the Magic Eraser.
2b. If the stamps you had made are clear, you should not need any foam or backing. Just attach the stamps to a block and stamp, then remove and use the next stamp. If the stamp won't stick to the block on their own, use a small piece of double-sided tape or Tack it Over and Over glue.

[Paperhappy3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamper1996

1a. I too have had custom stamps made (by village impressions) and they were stickier than other clear stamps I had used. If you use a pencil eraser to remove the residue on the stamped area, then give it a good scrubbing in your stamp scrubber, it really helps.
1b. Yes, I have noticed that they stain easier. Does not affect stamp performance though.

2a. I would not use rubbing alcohol on an acrylic block. Some people here swear by the Magic Eraser.
2b. If the stamps you had made are clear, you should not need any foam or backing. Just attach the stamps to a block and stamp, then remove and use the next stamp. If the stamp won't stick to the block on their own, use a small piece of double-sided tape or Tack it Over and Over glue.

Thank you, thank you!! Do you have any suggestions if I don't have a stamp scrubber yet?

[Pipergirl]

You can use an old toothbrush and small amount of Dawn or other soap, this works well to get into those tiny little grooves in the stamp. Just go at it gently, and maybe stamp off some excess ink on a paper towel first.