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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
April 1, 2015
Q: Kimii asks: "Some of my rubber stamps won't stay stuck to the acrylic blocks. I've heard some people say to put liquid glue on them and leave them over night. If you do this, won't the stamp be sticky all the time, and if so, how do you store them afterwards?"
A: There are special glues that dry a bit tacky - the one that comes to mind is called "Tack It Over and Over" and it's by Aleene's; I've used another type of glue that is made for stencils but does the same thing, and there are also spray adhesives that dry with a removable, low-tack finish. I keep my unmounted stamps in CD cases, and the adhesive is enough to keep them in place in the cases as well.
March 25, 2015
Q: Mary Anna would like to know: "How exactly do you use Versamarker watermark pen?"
A: The Versamarker pen is filled with the same ink that we've come to love in the Versamark inkpad. It has many uses: embossing ink, watermark stamping (stamped image will appear slightly darker than the cardstock it's stamped on), and even resist effects on glossy paper. The marker format allows you to write, draw, or fill in areas of an image for embossing. I've used it for masking a colored image so I could fill in a background around it - after the image was colored, I colored over it carefully with the Versamarker then embossed with clear powder.
March 18, 2015
Q: Valerie asks: "What is dry embossing?"
A: Dry embossing refers to the type of embossing that's done with embossing folders or a stylus and stencil, where areas of the paper are raised by the application of pressure. It's a term that distinguishes that type of embossing from heat embossed images, where ink and embossing powders are used.
March 11, 2015
Q: Mary wants to know: "What are some ways I can revive my stamps that are not in a box, especially rubber that's on wood?"
A: Sunlight and exposure can be especially damaging to rubber stamps. Try using Versamark ink to soften and recondition the rubber (ink up, let sit, then gently clean). One of our members recommends this recipe for reviving rubber: Mix 2 teaspoons glycerin with 1/2 cup of distilled water. Place dry stamps, image down, on a plate or other shallow tray/pan. Add enough mix to cover just the rubber. Let soak for at least an hour, then rinse until rubber no longer feels slick. Air dry & put away. Check out this forum thread for more ideas from our members!
March 4, 2015
Q: Stephanie asks: " I have received a new rubber stamp that does NOT have any backing on it, so it will not stick to a stamping block. What is the best way to use it, or where can I buy a material to put on the back of the stamp so I can use my blocks?"
A: There are a few options for unmounted rubber stamps. The simplest method is just to apply a few strips of double sided tape or repositionable adhesive runner to the back, and stick the stamp directly to an acrylic block. Some prefer to apply a repositionable stencil spray adhesive or a liquid glue such as Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over to the whole back of the stamp - once dry, the adhesive stays tacky and can be used multiple times. Cling foam backing can be purchased in sheets if you'd rather have a little cushion under the stamp.
