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I am having a terrible time inking up my acrylic stamps. I only use Stampin UP's 48 colors, so maybe that's my problem. I did just order some of the Palette cubes, but they haven't arrived yet. I'm trying to use a stamp from Fancy Pants. I rubbed the white eraser all over the stamp 3 times and cleaned all of that off. But the image still looks terrible stamped. It is so blotchy. Any other suggestions? TIA!
I'm still new to stamping, so I'm sure there is a better way, but here's what I do...
I take some scratch paper (ie cheap cs I bought before I knew better) and "stamp" the clear stamp on it a few times (no ink applied). Once it stops feeling so tacky/sticky, I'll go ahead and put some ink on. Then I stamp it out again a couple of times until I'm happy with the quality of the image. I don't mess with the eraser on the acrylic stamps - just didn't have any luck with that. I hope this is helpful, but like a said - I'm most definitely a novice. Hopefully you'll get some good replies
I've noticed that I have a lot of trouble with dye inks... is that what you're using? Couple of things to try...
Use a pigment based ink (or chalk formula)
Sand your stamps (use one of those really fine nail file blocks & sand gently)
Or, if you have a Versamark pad, load with that ink first & then with your dye ink.
I rarely try to stamp acrylics with SU! classic inks. Like bwstamper, I use chalk inks. But the reality is that almost any of my stamp pads work better than SU! and I really like SU! products. I kinda feel like its the viscosity of the ink and if the ink pad is new or has been reinked lately.
A couple of other tips are -
Try stamping on a foam pad or some kind of cushion. I wasn't doing this and when I got an Inque set it had the pad. Now I use it always and all my images have improved.
Also, after you ink the stamp, let it settle a little bit - sometimes it will fill in the spots and when you stamp, give the ink a couple of seconds to soak into the paper.
If your dye pads are almost always super juicy, that's the problem. Your inkpads need to be a little less juicy than how you would use them normally. Unfortunately, I don't know how you would make your pads less juicy, except by blotting the pad with a paper towel and trying it again. Doing a quick clean and dry of the clear stamp before inking up might help too. Just some things I do that work for me.
Try conditioning your clear stamps first. I use a white chalk eraser and rub it over the stamp then clean it, you only need to do this once. It can remove any residue from the manufacturing process that can cause ink to bead up on the polymer. The type of ink you use can make a difference, if you want to use a dye based ink I highly recommend CTMH inks as they are made specifically for clear stamps. If not try hybrid or chalk inks, they work really great as well.
Also it could be the stamps themselves, some cheap brands made are not made from photo polymer and just don't give a very good impression.
HTH
I had zero luck with classic inks and Fancy Pants stamps. Others like Papertrey, My Favorite Things, and Verve stamps I have no problem. With my Fancy Pants stamps I just used craft inks or chalk. HTH!
Dye inks will only work on high quality clear stamps, like Papertrey Ink and Technique Tuesday. You can tell if they are high quality by smelling them...they'll have a potent smell.
The cheaper stamps, like Autumn Leaves and Studio G., will not hold the dye ink because it "bubbles" on the surface. Chalk and Pigment inks work better with those stamps.
Oh hurray, I thought I was going insane with the clear stamps but now I know i'm not. Lol.
I found archival inks work well on these stamps, yes I also had trouble with the SU inkpads ( always looking blotchy)
Thanks for the post, I can sleep easier now. Lol
I have lots of the Cats Eyes by Color Box... the Chalk Inks... I will definately try those with my clear stamps. I have a bunch of clear stamps and I really like the images... I will definately try this.
I've had blotchy images too especailly with the ultra clear plastitcy ones like inkadinkado (don't get me wrong I love their designs!) I never has a problem with the PSX clear ones I got almost 10 ears ago! they have yellowed a bit over time and have a slightly sweet smell to them and fell softer too. I think that some stamps are made with different stuff, and thats why some work better. I love the unmounted Inque sets too, but you do need to use a mat but real rubber takes the ink better! I found that after they have been use a couple of times though they hold the ink better. Also I have had great luck with the Sugarloaf inks in the 30 pad caddy sold at AC Moore for $40. They are dye based ink but in a foam pad. I reink them with my SU inks and they still work well and if you have cupon you can get the set for$20. AC Moore has a 50% cupon this weekend. Go to their website and click on store locator, give your zip and you can print them off!
You definately have to condition your stamps beforeyou use them. (the first time only) I go over mine with a white rubber eraser to get the residue off of them. I also found that if I put a piece of fun foam under my paper when I stamp it gives me a clearer image (like the foam does with mounted stamps.) By doing these two things I seem to get a clear crisp image.
Dye inks will only work on high quality clear stamps, like Papertrey Ink and Technique Tuesday. You can tell if they are high quality by smelling them...they'll have a potent smell.
The cheaper stamps, like Autumn Leaves and Studio G., will not hold the dye ink because it "bubbles" on the surface. Chalk and Pigment inks work better with those stamps.
You are so right! I just smelled my MSE and my Impression Obsession and they both have "that smell". Good to know. TFS!
I had problems also with the butterflies from PaperTrey. The suggestion was to rub a pencil eraser across/over the stamp. It worked. I haven't had a problem since.:p
The difference in the "acrylic" stamps is the clue. Only photopolymer stamps will ink well (most acrylic made in the USA) - the other "cheaper" ones (made in China) repel the ink. Back to the old saying "you get what you pay for", huh?
So is there a big difference in chalk inks (the brands)?? I know SU is talked about really big for dye ink, but do the Fluid Chalk Cat's Eye inks from AC Moore work well? Any advice and help would be great
I'm taking my husband to the airport soon in Baltimore and will be going past an AC Moore...which is nowhere near our house! Does anyone else like really far from a great craft store and go crazy when you have the chance to go to one??
Yeah, I just checked the AC Moore store search and found the closest one was 767 miles away ~ hummm, now what errand would take me there... But, I do get excited when I have an errand in Mpls/St. Paul and can take in some craft stores and Savers ~ the best thrift stores (yes, they do have SU stamps occasionally too...)! Thanks for the tips on good stamped images. I have a few acrylics that I haven't tried yet (too busy with my SU collection), but will keep in mind when I get around to them.
__________________ ~ Carol G.
"The Lord is a Mighty Savior who rejoices over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears and exult over you by singing a happy song."
Zephaniah 3:17
Another quick idea for "conditioning" the cheaper acrylic stamps: Use fine grit sandpaper (*gasp* - I know!) and rub it lightly over the stamp. It doesn't damage it at all, but it does give it some "tooth" to hang onto the ink and make it less puddled and blotchy. If you aren't convinced, I didn't dream this up - Pat Huntoon of Technique Junkies does that to rubber stamps, so I figured I'd try it on acrylics - it really worked!
I plan to try the fine sandpaper... I wonder if a scuffer for card stock would work. Hmmmmm... I like my acrylics and want to get the best image and buy more. I am also unmounting my rubber stamps too.
Here is a great tut about conditioning stamps (http://marelletaylor.blogspot.com/se...abel/Tutorial). For all my clear stamps, the one that works really well is rubbing them on your jeans. Crazy huh? I was having a hard time to get one of my PTI stamps to have a clean impression, I rubbed the stamp on my jeans, and VOILA! a great image.
Here is a great tut about conditioning stamps (http://marelletaylor.blogspot.com/se...abel/Tutorial). For all my clear stamps, the one that works really well is rubbing them on your jeans. Crazy huh? I was having a hard time to get one of my PTI stamps to have a clean impression, I rubbed the stamp on my jeans, and VOILA! a great image.
I was told acrylic really need a pigmant ink to be really crisp. I used Memories black ink (it it s waterproof and I am using that for my watercoloring) and I bought some smaller brilliance ink colors that were 2.50 at my local stamp store. I didn't need the big stamp pads for 8 bucks a pop and this way I can still have some pretty colors as well. They have some really shimmer metalics and I bought this blue one and I am in LOVE with the color!
I'm very disappointed. I spent a lot of money to get two sets of SU classic cubes and I hate how the acrylic stamp turns out. I use a lot of acrylic!
I will try what the tutorial above says.
__________________ Scrap often and Smile even more!
Pat
I find the SU ink doesnt always ink up well on clear stamps. You can use a Versamark pad to help. Take your clean stamp, stamp in the versamark first and then in your colored ink. It wont hurt your stamping pad and the ink will stick better to the stamp. Just make sure you clean your stamp again before you ink in the versamark again.
I find the SU ink doesnt always ink up well on clear stamps. You can use a Versamark pad to help. Take your clean stamp, stamp in the versamark first and then in your colored ink. It wont hurt your stamping pad and the ink will stick better to the stamp. Just make sure you clean your stamp again before you ink in the versamark again.
Thanks, I will try that!
__________________ Scrap often and Smile even more!
Pat
Here is a great tut about conditioning stamps (http://marelletaylor.blogspot.com/se...abel/Tutorial). For all my clear stamps, the one that works really well is rubbing them on your jeans. Crazy huh? I was having a hard time to get one of my PTI stamps to have a clean impression, I rubbed the stamp on my jeans, and VOILA! a great image.
HTH!
Thx for sharing her link...love her style.
__________________ "I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol".
River City Rubber Works
I'm very disappointed. I spent a lot of money to get two sets of SU classic cubes and I hate how the acrylic stamp turns out. I use a lot of acrylic!
I will try what the tutorial above says.
Maybe it's just me...but I don't think the cubes/spots work as well as the full sized pads.
I had a real devil of a time getting CTMH clear to work with all of the many black pads I have. I'm waiting until my next order to try one of their black pads.
It's been trial and error w/ clear...I'm not the type of person that likes to 'spearmint...lol...I like to stamp and go...
__________________ "I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol".
River City Rubber Works
I have a bunch of different companies' clear stamps. I sometimes stamp(the first time they are used) on scrap paper. Sort of conditioning. I regularly use Memories Black and Memories Midnight Blue. They aren't juicy anymore as was stated in an earlier post. Last night I used the Chalk ink, dark brown, with an Inkadinkado stamp and it did ok. Not super dark, but the whole image stamped.
Help w/ Inking Acrylic Stamps
