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The ABCs of Stamping by May Chong, Pressing Matters |
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I. RUBBER STAMPED ART
Many types of rubber stamps abound. Some are made of grey rubber or white rubber, but the most common material is red rubber. Good quality rubber stamps are stamps which are die cut (the rubber is cut close and
according to the exact shape of the stamped image) and have deeply etched rubber - enabling the user to easily apply ink to the stamp and minimizing common rubber stamp errors like blurry images and "shadows" around the stamped image.
Rubber stamping is a fun, easy and enjoyable way to express yourself. All you need is a rubber stamp, an inkpad and some cardstock to get started. From simple to elegant, funky to cute, modern to retro - stamp your mark and turn scrapbook pages, greeting cards, stationeries, etc into gorgeous and unique works of art!
Art in Three Easy Steps:
- Position your stamp with the rubber side facing up and apply ink by tapping your inkpad onto the rubber. Make sure rubber is completely covered in ink. Tip: Inking your stamp this way makes it easier to check if your rubber
stamp is fully inked or not.
- Stamp your image onto your chosen surface. Apply a firm, even pressure to all parts of the stamp to ensure a completely printed image.
Lift stamp straight up. Tip: Avoid pressing too hard or rocking the stamp as this will cause blurry images and unwanted lines around the design.
- Colour your image with markers, coloured pencils, watercolours, chalks, pastels, fill it with glitter etc. Almost anything can be used to enhance your artwork -- experiment and watch your piece come to vivid life!
Rubber Stamp Clean Up:
Clean your stamp by using a damp rag to wipe away any remaining ink on the rubber. For stubborn ink stains (although ink stains on your rubber stamp will not affect the quality of your stamp or your next stamped image), you can use baby wipes (no alcohol) to wipe/clean your rubber stamp. Alternatively, take a toothbrush, dampen it. Put a bit of soap on the toothbrush and gently scrub your rubber stamp until clean. Wipe off excess moisture with a damp rag. And of course, you can always buy a Stamp Cleaner to do the job.
IMPORTANT: Do not wash your stamp under running water. The water will ruin the wood block of the stamp and loosen the adhesion of the rubber to the wood over time. A damp rag is sufficient to clean up your stamp. |
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II. THE MANY FACES OF STAMPS
Aside from Rubber, stamps can also be made from materials like - Foam and Photopolymer (Clear Stamps).
FOAM STAMPS
Foam stamps are the least expensive stamps available. They are sturdy, lightweight stamps that come in a wide variety of designs. You can ink up foam stamps using inkpads or acrylic paints and clean them by simply wiping them off with a damp rag.
Note: Make sure to clean stamps immediately after stamping when acrylic paints are used to ink them up. Acrylic paint will harden and cake on your foam stamps if left on, making it more difficult to clean off.
PHOTOPOLYMER STAMPS - Clearing Up The Facts
There are many kinds of clear stamps available - one thing to remember is not all clear stamps are created equal. A good indication that a clear stamp is of good quality is if its not too sticky,too thin, too hard, have excess material around the stamp image or be unable to hold ink for a perfect impression.
On occasion, you may find that some clear stamps have yellowed even though it is still in the original packaging. This is normal as photopolymer stamps will continue to react to UV light even after being manufactured. Another common quality of photopolymer stamps is that they take on the colour of the ink used, "staining" the stamp. Either reaction will not
affect the function of the stamp.
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CLEAR STAMPS are very easy to use:
1. Pull off the stamp from its plastic backing gently.
2. Adhere it onto the acrylic block in your desired position/lay out.
3. Ink up your stamp with any inks you desire.
4. Because of the clear acrylic block, you can "clearly" (pun intended!) position your image and stamp your image/sentiment PERFECTLY on your desired surface. |
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TIP: When positioning letters on your acrylic block, remember to place letters backward so when you stamp your sentiment it comes out in the right direction.
Clear stamp clean up is just as easy - just wipe off any remaining ink with a damp rag. (Remember, ink staining on your clear stamp is normal - it will not affect the quality of your stamp or your next stamped image) If your clear stamp loses its "cling" to your acrylic block, restore by simply washing it in mild, soapy water. Whether rubber, foam or photopolymer clear stamps - all serve the same purpose: to bring your artwork to life!
III. STAMPIN' AROUND
The most common stamping surface is Paper/ Cardstock. There are 2 basic types of cardstock you can stamp on: glossy and matte. Each has its own properties and from this simple material you can create many beautiful effects with your inks and stamps.
Two Basic Rules to Remember:
- Glossy Cardstock - when using PIGMENT BASED INKPADS (ex: Versacolor, Encore!, Colorbox), you need to heat emboss to make your image permanent on the glossy cardstock.
- Matte Cardstock - ALL inks will dry on matte cardstock whether you emboss
or not.
NOTE: DYE-BASED INKPADS (ex: Printworks Designer Inks, Paper Salon, Memories Shadow Inks, etc) will dry on both glossy or matte cardstock. Paper,vellum, glass, metal, plastic, fabric... with the right inks all these are wide open for your stamp artistry. Customize buttons, charms, ribbons etc, there simply is no limit as to where your stamping adventures can take you.
IV. INKPADS GUIDE - Breaking It Down
The sheer variety of inkpads available for stamping can be overwhelming. One thing the inks listed below have in common though is that they are all CHILD - SAFE, NON-TOXIC, and ACID FREE. Safe to use on ANY stamp (Rubber, Foam or Clear), safe to use on ANY surface (with the right type of ink of course!).
Here is a quick and simple breakdown of the inks -
1. Pigment Based Inkpads
- CAN be heat embossed
- when stamping on GLOSSY cardstock or VELLUMS using pigment inks, images need to be embossed to make it permanent on the page
- VERSACOLOR, COLORBOX, ENCORE! are examples of Pigment Inks
NOTE: BRILLIANCE Inks are a special type of pigment ink in that it can be used on both MATTE and GLOSSY cardstock and VELLUMS (and photos) without having to be embossed if not desired.
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2. Dye Based Inkpads
- CANNOT be embossed
- will dry on GLOSSY cardstock and VELLUMS without having to be embossed
- PRINTWORKS DESIGNER INKS, PAPER SALON INKS, MEMORIES (and SHADOW INKS) are examples of Dye Based Inks.
NOTE: MEMORIES Inks (and SHADOW Inks) are also PERMANENT inks- they are waterproof (perfect to use for any watercoloring projects).
3. Multi-Purpose Inks
a. VERSAMAGIC - Chalk Finish Inkpad that can be used on matte cardstock AND (NOTE: needs to be heatset to be permanent on these surfaces): glossy cardstock, vellum, plastic, metal, fabric, glass, leather, wood, etc.
b. STAZ ON - Solvent based ink that can be used on paper and: plastic, metal,glass, ceramics, wood,leather, etc...NOTE: NO NEED to heatset to make it permanent.
c. FABRICO - Can be used on: fabric, plastic, wood, etc (as well as papers). NOTE: needs to be heatset to become permanent. Tip: Heat setting can be done using a heat gun or a hair dryer.
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 Store visits by
appointment only.
Call
0917-8806988 (May)
09175329357 (Bea)
Pressing Matters conducts stamping classes too!
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| "Pressing Matters has been in the stamp & scrap booking business since 1999. It’s owned and managed by sisters Bea and May Chong. I daresay that Pressing Matters is the stamp authority in Manila and they’ve got 12 years of experience to back them up. Bea has been involved in the Stamping and Scrapbooking industry since 1994 - from teaching workshops, to attending shows to meet with suppliers, to planning a product roster for a stamping and scrapbooking store in North America. I guess it’s a natural progression that Bea also got her sister May hooked into stamping. It was their love for the craft that made them decide to open up a business here in Manila. They launched their products in bazaars and since then have gained a loyal following that troop to their home base in Greenhills West. " - Angela Lauchengco |
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