We receive so many questions about how to use our stamp line that I decided to work on a "how to" segment. This post is meant to be used for reference and I will be adding to it from time to time.
One advantage of using small stamps is the the fact that you can use small ink pads which are very affordable and do not take up much space. My favorite inks are Versacolor cubes. Versacolor is pigment ink that stamps beautifully and allows for more than one impression before re-inking. This term is often referred to as "stamping off" and it gives depth and dimension to the finished artwork.
You can see how little space Versacolor cubes take up in the photo below.
The most popular way to get started with component stamping is with our stamp sets. We currently have well over 100 sets to choose from. Combining our sets to make a completely different image combination is another great way to use our peg stamps.
Our sets come with a color printed insert and suggested ink list. You also get a clear box to store your set in. You can hang the boxes or you can store them in a drawer since they will sit on end or lie flat. You will not duplicate a stamp when you buy our stamps as sets. If you prefer buying individuals instead of sets, you can see them here.
Here are some tips:
1. Put a pad of paper, magazine, or a mouse pad underneath your stamping project. This gives a cushion-like base and makes better impressions.
2. We manufacture our peg stamps with placement lines, which is a tool that I developed in 2002 to make component stamping easier. If you look at the base of the stamp, close to the rubber, you will see the vertical placement line. This line indicates the position of the image.
In the case of a leaf, sprig or branch, the placement line is most often located at the stem. Just turn the line towards the other images, such as a flower, and you will get perfect placement every time. Our placement lines speed up production and aid in accuracy.
The photo below shows a good example of how to use the placement line with our Bunny Garden set. You will notice that the placement line is located at the base of the sprig. Just turn the line towards the bunny and stamp!
Here is another example below showing a placement line indicating the end of the sprig using the Peruvian Lily set. How simple is that?
Not only can you place our stamps perfectly, but if you happen to make a mistake, you can easily stamp over the impressions in the second or third layer. I rarely throw away unfinished artwork because of an occasional stamped image that is not quite right.
Here is an example of what I am talking about. Look at the photo below and you will notice that the top heart image was not completely filled in because I stamped at an angle.
Now you can see below how the image was corrected by layering other images over top. It looks like I meant to do it in the first place! You can see how forgiving Rubber Stamp Tapestry's peg stamps are. This set is called Heart Deco.
We also carry a good selection of border stamps which work great with our peg stamps. An example is shown below. Here is a link to some of our border stamps. We also have lots of sentiments, birds, vases, etc. which are in the block stamp category.
3. If you see a circle or edge around your peg stamp image, it means that you are applying too much pressure on your stamp. Fine line drawings need only gentle pressure or it will distort the image and you will not see the detail. It is a good idea to test your stamp and your ink on a scrap piece of paper before stamping on your project. If you want a richer look, you may need to re-ink your pad.
4. To get a lighter shade of color with the second and third impressions, don't re-ink your stamp each time. Also, for a less mechanical look, rotate the stamp slightly in between impressions. These two tips will give your artwork a more natural look.
5. To re-ink a pad, just drop two or three drops of ink on the pad and rub it in with the nozzle of the refill bottle until you see the ink is absorbed.
6. The ink colors that I suggest are just beginning suggestions. You can use our stamps with any ink brand or type. The suggested inks are the inks that are used on the color printed insert that comes with the package so you may want to use those inks to get similar results.
7. To make a wreath shape, I start by stamping at the North, South, East and West points. Then just fill in between with the remaining images. The photo below shows an example.
Another simple way to make perfect shapes is with our templates. Just lightly chalk the inside edge of the template (I use a makeup puff) and then use the chalked shape as a stamping guide.
After chalking the edge of the template, stamp at the north, south, east and west points as shown below. Then fill in between with the remaining stamps in the set.
8. For borders, I normally start with the larger images, leaving space in between for the remaining images and fill in as needed.
Still another great use for our stamps is to make coordinating background paper. You can see an example in the photo below in Julia Freeman's card using the Love Set .
9. Storage ideas. Some people use shallow shelving to store their stamps. I like to keep my sets separated by keeping them in their boxes or with a rubber band so that I can easily spot them and I will have all of my complete set images together.
10. Cleaning stamps. A very good product to clean stamps is Ultra-Clean. You can clean any type of stamp with this cleanser. For a home made, quick substitute, try a few drops of mild detergent such as Joy dish washing liquid and about a cup of water. Use a sponge or cloth and the soapy water to clean the stamp ends. Rinse well and allow the stamps to dry completely before putting away. Do not soak wood mounted stamps in water. Sometimes I use wet wipes (baby wipes, etc.) to clean both the rubber and the wood. If you use the wrong type of detergent and the placement line starts to fade, just use a fine line sharpie pen or other marker to reapply the line. It is best to store your stamps out of direct sunlight and with a bit of care they should last for years and years.
Our stamps travel great because they do not take up a lot of space. Here is photo of a small case with a handle that I bought at a local chain (Michael's, Hobby Lobby or A. C. Moore, etc.) would be good places to to find something similar.
That's it. With these tips in mind and just a little practice, anyone can create beautiful borders, frames and wreaths with Rubber Stamp Tapestry's peg stamp sets!
Be sure to visit the sample section on the website for ideas. Also, check out our animations, and video demo sections to see our stamp line in action. If you haven't signed up for our newsletter, which shows our monthly special along with new card samples and our latest news, you can do so here.
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Until next time, Happy Stamping from Susan and the rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
