Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Getting the Best Results with your Acrylic Stamps

Today is all about getting the best impressions with your acrylic stamps. In my quest for the perfect stamped image using acrylic stamps, I tried using a stamp press, a stamp mat, a computer mouse pad and stamping directly on my desk. To see my results, please scroll down and watch the video. You are going to love the results.

A special thanks to Emma, from My Creative Time for providing the ink and mouse pad.

Please keep in mind that everything said on the video is purely my opinion based on my testing. Your results may vary! Have fun and I would love to hear your stamping tips and techniques!



Thanks for visiting!

42 comments:

Ruth said...

Thanks for the clear comparison - I have never used the stamp press and now see that it will be on my wish list. I was interested that the cutting mat was used under the cardstock. Did you also have to practice the amount of pressure? I love that the stamp press keeps it evenly distributed. and of course LOVE Emma's stamps!!

LeeAnn from NC said...

Thanks for the comparison. I'm thinking now that I just might have to purchase the stamp press after all ! I can see where the even distribution would be very beneficial , esp with larger stamps and the detail is great.

Unknown said...

Thanks for doing that! I sometimes wonder why I get a good stamp and then other times not so much. I am going to try the stamp press and mouse pad. Thanks for a very helpful video!

Sandy #1781 said...

Thanks Linda! I'm an avid believer in the Fiskars Stamp Press. I love your comparison for the details of the image and I love that the press lets anyone stamp clean images the first time, everytime.

Marjorie said...

Thanks for your video. Guess I will be looking for the stamp press.

Melanie said...

Thanks for the test. It would be interesting to see how the stamp press worked using the other surfaces below. I have often found that my results vary with each press of the stamp based on my pressure when inking the stamp as well as my attitude when I apply stamp to paper. Of course the type of ink pad makes a difference too. Soo many variables! If I hold my tongue in various positions I get different results too!

Luv 2 Create said...

This comparison was very interesting. I have tried all of the techniques as well. I really too have found the stamp press to be most successful, especially on the smaller stamps, but more cumbersome on a larger (background) stamp. For those, I have better luck turning the stamp upside down (image facing upward and laying my paper on top and using my fingers to gentley rub the paper over the image. Then carefully lifing the paper off the stamp. This was a tip I picked up from an online class I took with Jennifer Mcquire.
Marcie

MelodyR aka Ry&MysMom said...

I'm not a stamper but have always wanted to try my hands on some really pretty ones. Thanks for the comparison and the tips. I have always just stamped with just my bare desk under my cardstock (yikes) and thought that was the best way hahaha! I will definitely be trying that mousepad trick since I don't have the stamping press.

BTW I saw you post on my blog - sooooo very happy for you that you got your Cameo! I'm so looking forward to seeing projects you make with it on here. Have fun!

Letillia said...

Thank You so much for this comparison. You can clearly see the difference and I agree that the stamp press is Best! Now off to buy one lol!

Letillia
divaof5.blogspot.com

Maureen said...

Oh thank you so very much for this tutorial! I am a new stamper and I had not yet figured out the best way to get a good stamped image. Well, actually, I stamped a little bit in high school and college, but I am totally shocked by how stamping has changed... it isn't a bunch of wood blocks! It acrylic or red rubber wtih cling foam backs so you can you acrylic blocks. I love that! Yes, obviously I am way behind on the crafting times... but I'm catching up :) This rocks! I am totally going to buy a stamp press now. I had never heard of one before. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Wow ! I'd never seen the stamp press before or thought of using a mouse pad. Thank you for the information !!
Anna

tndj said...

Liked the comparison. Never checked out the stamp press before. Maybe it is because I have so many wood stamps. But then I have acquired lots of clear stamps also. have to check out the stamp press.

Cindy deRosier said...

Very interesting! I love the Stamp Press.

MizMaryAnn said...

I bought my stamp press at the last 50% off Joann's sale, but forgot I had it so I've never used it. I must have too many toys! Now I'll dig it out. Thanks for your comparison video.

RedGem said...

Thanks for the stamping comparison I have the large Fiskars stamp press but its a bit cumbersome, I hear there is a smaller one and after this I'd like to get one. I've also used a recycled mouse pad and found it a good tool. I also find that some polymer stamps don't take ink well, they pool up and I've used a sanding block and seems to help. I'll have to try this archival ink.

Linda Kaiser said...

Ruth, thanks for the great questions. The cutting mat is 18 x 24 inches and used for quilting and rotary cutting. I bought mine at Jo-Anns several years ago.

The press is easy to use, but you might want to do a test before you stamp on your final project.
I try to keep even pressure and it seems to work every time! Love it!

Linda

Linda Kaiser said...

Marcie, thanks for the great tip!! I will give it a try next time I use a larger background stamp.

Linda

Kay said...

I just told my husband that I was putting the stamp press on my birthday list, and lo and behold here comes your video. Thanks so much. Kay

Dianne said...

Thanks for the lesson on stamping. I have the Fiskars's press and never used it. Now I will use it all the time.

Dianne Bell - Sewpro02@Aol.com

Coelle said...

Great Video ...I would have never thought you could see such a difference just from what you use to stamp 'on'. Loved the clearness of the stamp press and must look into getting one!!

Coelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Missy said...

Thanks for showing us the difference.

Brenda said...

Thank you so much for showing the difference. I use the Rock-A-Blocks from Crafter's Companion but they sometimes don't give the greatest results. I've had my eye on the stamp press for several weeks now and you just helped me to make up my mind about purchasing it. Thank you, the tutorial was very helpful.

janner said...

Thanks for the video comparison. I just bought the stamp press after I watched a video with someone using the stamp press. I had never heard of it before. I have a question. Do you need to use the thick stamp mat under the stamp press? I didn't think you used it.
Thanks,
Jan
thejanner@xcelco.on.ca

Debbie Bonczek said...

I have found that the ink REALLY makes a difference. The ink you used I have tried once. I'm wondering if you've noticed an odd odor from it. Could just be me, but I have a really hard time with the smell. It does give a great impression.

Thanks for doing that video. Very interesting!

dbonczek@comcast.net

patbaskin said...

Really informative video. I, too, recently got a stamp press and agree it does make great impressions. Also interesting to know that you can get comparative results with the mouse pad. Do you prefer the Momento or Archive ink best? Thanks for your time.

patbaskin said...

Loved your video. I just got a stamp press and agree it makes much sharper images. Did you prefer the Momento or Archier inks?

ottersln said...

I have the stamp press and rarely ever use it. I need to put it on my worktable (currently on my bookshelf) and use it more. Thanks for the comparison!

Linda Kaiser said...

Janner,you do not need to use anything under the press. I have a thin cutting mat on my table...just to protect my table from glue etc. Works great without anything under it.

Linda

Linda Kaiser said...

Patbaskin, I love both of the inks. I use Memento when I am coloring in my stamps. So far,it is the best waterproof ink that I have found. The Ranger ink gives a great impression, but I have not yet tested it to see if it is as waterproof as Memento.

Thanks for the question!

Linda

Linda Kaiser said...

HockeyScrap, I did not notice a odor when I first used the Ranger ink. After reading your comment, I went back and checked and mine has a very slight odor.

Hope this helps.

Linda

cma21317 said...

I'm wondering if you cleaned the stamp each time if the results would have been different. First stamp with press was first inking.So it was crisp. Then second was with thicker mat where I think a lot of the ink came off with that stamping so even though you didn't clean the stamp when doing mouse pad test it was sort of cleaned from the mat. Just wondering??????

Linda Kaiser said...

Cma,great question! I did not clean during filming my video, but I did clean the stamp after every test when I did my walk through before filming.... and the results were identical to those on the video.

Linda

Got2BCrafting said...

Excellent comparison! I usually just stamp on a hard surface, but I think I will start using a mouse pad until I can pick up one of those stamp presses!! Thanks for the great info! :)
Lori

Sukie said...

That was a great comparison, I am going to pick up a stamp press next week when Michael's has their 50% off coupon!

Kate said...

I've never seen (or even heard of!) a stamp press! I love the large grid on it.
Thanks so much for this informative video, Linda!

Craft Me This said...

I use Emma's Pad and all my stamps come out great. Of course she has great stamps too.

kimberlyann207 said...

Thank you so much for the comparison! Excellent video! I'm definitely going to pick up the press on my next trip to the craft store. Would you recommend stamping the image a few times when the stamp is being used for the first time? It was my understanding that you are supposed to do that but I don't know why. I've had more than one occasion when my card was done and my last step was the stamp and when it came out crummy, it was too late.

Any recommendations for stamping with wood block stamps?

Thanks again for the great video!

Hugs,
Kimberly

CCfromoz said...

I have a stamp press and have never used it, I think I will be from now on. Thanks for this

lindashe said...

thanks for the info...I am new to stamping, videos like this help alot!

SiskiyouSue said...

Thanks for taking the time to compare the different techniques. I have a stamp press but forget it. Guess I'll put it front and center!

Unknown said...

Great comparison. I have the stamp press, but normally only use it for larger stamps. Now that I see your video, I'm going to try using it more often for all stamping. I usually just stamp on my craft mat on top of my score board which isn't a real consistent way of getting a crisp image. It's kind of hit or miss. I do appreciate you taking the time to do this. Thank you! :)

Total Pageviews

 
--------- ----------