Welcome to our index of stamping tips. We've put together a list of tips and frequently asked questions that should help you get the most fun out of Stampendous! rubber stamps:


DYE, PIGMENT & CRAFT INK

What is the difference between dye, pigment and craft ink?

Dye inks are water based, non-toxic, washable and many are child safe. Dye inks are transparent and will blend easily and dry quickly on most matte and glossy papers, but will run if wet again. Dye inks do fade.
Pigment inks are oil based, acid free, non-toxic, fade resistant and more opaque than dye inks. Pigments are not easily washed out of clothing. Pigments will not dry on glossy paper without embossing. Once embossed they are permanent and can be safely watercolored. Their slow drying property makes pigments ideal for heat embossing. Pigment ink is available in pads and markers.
Craft inks are acrylic based ink, acid free, non-solvent based, non-toxic and water soluble until completely dry or heat set. Once dry you can safely watercolor over them. You can use them on fabric, wood, paper mache, foam, leather and a variety of other surfaces.

What is a "raised" stamp pad?

Instead of an recessed ink surface which sits down inside the casing, most inks are now available in a foam cushion that is raised above the casing. A raised pad enables you to ink any size stamp.

Check out our video for a demo with Versafine™ ink:

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EMBOSSING

How do I "Emboss" an image?

1) To Emboss, first make a sta mped impression with a slow drying ink such as Embossing Ink, Pigment Pads, VersaMark ink, or Embossing Pens.
2) Pour Embossing powder over the wet impression. Powder will stick to wet areas. Tap off excess powder onto a folded piece of scrap paper to use as a funnel to pour the powder back into the jar. Brush away specks of powder from around your impression using a paint brush.
3) Use Heat Tool to melt powder evenly by moving heat over the top of the card until the powder becomes shiny. Hold Heat Tool approximately 3 inches above card. Overheating may scorch paper. Other heat sources such as a iron, or toaster oven will work but may not be as safe or easy to use. Hair dryers are not hot enough and blow the powder away.

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STAMPING ON FABRIC

Can you give me some basic tips for stamping on Fabric?

You can use standard woodmounted stamps or foam mounted stamps with inks, markers, or paints intended for fabrics.
1) Prewash and iron fabric and stretch on cardboard.
2) Ink stamps with fabric ink pads, ink, Crafter's inks or Acrylic Paints.
3) Stamp design.
4) Final clean up is easy with running water in the sink. Rub stamps over textured Rubber Scrubber. Blot dry.
5) Heat set fabric with iron before washing.

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USING FOIL SHEETS

How can I foil a stamped image?

It helps to start with a stamp image with a lot of surface area to it, bold lines and not fine designs. Stamp your image and sprinkle over Stamp N' Bond powder, tapping away excess. Heat just until it melts and no longer (some even stop heating as soon as it starts to change). Immediately place foil sheet on top SHINY SIDE UP and rub. Peel away the backing and you should have fairly good coverage. Some of the foils release easier than others (the pearl and the gold).

How can I foil a larger area?

It helps to start with a stamp image with a lot of surface area to it, bold lines and not fine designs. Stamp your image and sprinkle over Stamp N' Bond powder, tapping away excess. Heat just until it melts and no longer (some even stop heating as soon as it starts to change). Immediately place foil sheet on top SHINY SIDE UP and rub. Peel away the backing and you should have fairly good coverage. Some of the foils release easier than others (the pearl and the gold).

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FUN FLOCK

How do I use Fun Flock?

Fun Flock can be applied by covering the area to be flocked with a double sided adhesive sheet, such as Peel N' Stick. Cover the entire area with flock, pressing or brayering in for even coverage. You can then stamp the surface, cut out or punch out. Use double-sided tapes or adhesive applicators to add stripes and borders. Apply flock to the sticky side of Class A'Peels™ stickers to make fuzzy shapes.

Fun Flock may also be applied by using Dimensional Magic or glue on the areas to be flocked. Sprinkle Fun Flock generously over and tap off excess. Set aside to allow Dimensional Magic/glue to dry, then brush away excess flock.When using multiple colors on one project, work from darkest colors to the lightest.

How can I flock a stamped image?

Stamp the image using a pigment ink (such as VersaMark by Tsukineko) and sprinkle with Stamp N' Bond embossing powder. Use a heat tool to melt the powder just until it starts to turn shiny and immediately pour flocking over the surface. Pressing the flock into the adhesive will give better coverage. Brush away excess.

Check out our video demo for more help:

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INKING YOUR STAMPS

What do you mean by "outline" or "bold" style stamp images?

Some stamp designs which we call "outline" stamps are line art illustrations. Other designs are "bold" or have solid areas like silhouette shapes.

What are the options for inking rubber stamps?

Outline stamps are quickly inked in a single dark color from a stamp pad. If you wish, you can color in the details with markers, colored pencils, watercolors or pastels.
Bold images are most effectively stamped by inking the rubber in multiple colors.

1) One way is to use rainbow color ink pads. (The heart shape was stamped with one rainbow pad) Simply press stamp across ink pad several times in the same position and make your multicolored impression.
2) Another way is to dab small VersaColor ink cubes directly on the rubber and blend colors. Start with your lightest colors and then add darker colors.
3) You can be most selective in your placement of colors with waterbased markers. The big brush art tips make it easy and quick to add as many colors as you wish directly on the rubber. Start with the lightest color to keep the brush tip clean. Ink all raised surface areas of the design.

What inks can I use with the Perfectly Clear Stamps?

We encourage you to use Perfectly Clear Stamps with any inks. There appears to be no support for concerns that certain chalk or powder type inks and products diminish the cling of the clear stamps. Clean stamps with soap and water to restore cling.

INKING TIPS:
• Clear Embossing inks help keep stamps from staining.
• Dye base inks are ideal for transparent stamping and are the easiest to clean off.
• Pigment and chalk inks work nicely, but will stain slightly.
• Permanent inks will stain.
• Rubber Cement can be used as a repositionable adhesive.

Remember, clean stamps are happy stamps!

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USING LIQUID APPLIQUÉ

How do you apply and puff Liquid Appliqué over stamped art?

Apply Liquid Appliqué to impression when ink is DRY otherwise it will pick up colors underneath. Heat set Liquid Appliqué to puff. For puffier look allow Liquid Appliqué to dry over night before using the Heat Tool. You may use the Heat Tool directly on wet Liquid Appliqué also.

Check out our video demo for more help:

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