Good Morning and wowza…yesterday’s comments were sooooo much fun!
I just get such a kick out of the fun we have and isn’t it just wonderful that we are all “adults” and still have just FUN together over something as silly as a Hey, Chick Stamp Set!
I am going to have my morning coffee re-reading and commenting on the FABULOUS comments yesterday and we will come up with a “hum-dinger” of a name. I typed the below post earlier as I knew that I needed to have a minor “fix from the doctors” yesterday but what I was not aware of was…I lost the entire day as I needed to rest – all is good and I will be myself today (I sure hope so) I am excited for you to read this post and I hope that the lightbulb goes off! Please chime in with comments!
I hope that this post will make you think and share comments….this is how we all learn and grow!
I admit, I love photopolymer stamps. They are by far the stamp preference for me as I love the ability to “see though” where I am stamping. I also admit when Stampin’ Up! came out with their 1st photopolymer stamp I thought that they were the silliest thing out there and that there was NO WAY that people would buy them or actually like them 🙂
Boy, was I wrong. I believe that some of you do not care for them because you are not getting a clean, crisp image when stamping. I truly hope that we can get some good comments going on about the preference of stamps and it what I just mentioned was the way that you feel!
If so…THIS POST IS FOR YOU!!!!!
I was in the same boat….let’s call it the frustration boat of stamping. I will make this super simple so you will “get it” and then understand where I am coming from….
When you buy a new pair of shoes…
you need to “break them in” before they become comfortable.
There is no way that you would take a brand new pair of shoes and walk for hours in them without your feet feeling the pain – I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT YOUR STAMPS in the same fashion! You need to “break them in and condition them” and also USE THE PROPER HELPERS to get that prestige, crisp stamp!
I have been on this boat MANY times and there are still times that I am there but when that happens I tell myself to SLOW DOWN and make sure that I have taken the steps to make my stamps work for me in the best possible way!
When I get a new photopolymer stamp…this is what I do!
- Place it on a block and then take my absorber cleaning cloth and rub it back and forth a BUNCH (I think that this scruffs off any residue from the manufacturing of the stamp). If you do not use the absorber cloths than use your Stampin’ Mist and Stampin’ Scrub to do the same trick!
- Next, I ink it up with the versamark pad and then stamp images on scrap paper. I clean and repeat this probably 2 times. You will be able to see how clean and crisp the image it that is why I do it several times until I get the right look.
- Make sure that you are stamping on a Stampin’ Pierce Mat or I think better yet, I use this gem from Amazon….the Stamper’s Secret Weapon (don’t you love that name) Let me clarify…I do use the Stampin’ Up! Mat when I am on the go but I honestly prefer the Stampers Secret Weapon for my daily stamping because it is bigger…..it is as simple as that!
- After you have conditioned it with the cleaning and the versamark….take it to an ink pad and give it a test drive. I never take a stamp out of the container and trust that my first stamp will be perfect, just like breaking in shoes…it needs to time and TLC! 🙂
I bet it you try this you will be very pleased. It sounds like it is a lot of work but it really isn’t and it really does not take much time at all. Heck, the way that I look at it is that you will spend more time and waste more with being frustrated than do these steps and being prepared.
I will say that I do the same with my clear mount stamps as well. It’s kind of once you get in the habit, it becomes 2nd nature to you.
One ? that I bet you are thinking…..do I have to do this every time I go to use a stamp? The short answer is NO….but I will say that it you find a stamp that is not stamping to your liking, go back and do the steps and also make sure that your inkpads are inked properly!
I personally find that I do not have to re-ink my colors often but I do need to re-ink the black pad often. You are the only one that can gauge how often you use a color etc…
Well NOW you can hit that Amazon button and purchase the great masking paper that I talked about and also the Stampers Secret Weapon – I truly like to share with you things that I have found that work for me but remember, these are just mere suggestions of what seems to work for me.
I know that it would be super beneficial to do a video for you. I will try…..darn I wish that there were more hours in a day! Have a fabulous day and I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow!
Stampin’ hugs to all….
Fabulous tips. I will definitely do if one of my photopolymer stamps gives me trouble!
Try it…I know that you will be hooked! A game changer….just saying!
Great tips, Susan. I have a larger stamp mat like this one that I use and it does work well. The SU grid sheet fits perfectly on it. My very first class I attended the SU demonstrator encouraged us to use a mat whenever we stamped instead of directly on the table. Sometimes the more solid photopolymer stamps don’t ink as well so I will definitely try your solution.
Great point….the grip paper pad is also a good surface to stamp on but I do the same thing, I have my larger stamp mat on top of it. I am the very 1st that finds it super frustrating when you do not get a clean image…please try this method and let me know how it works…..your package it in its way!!!! (Get excited!)
Love your tips Susan! My stamping space on my desk seems to grow smaller when I am working on cards. All the ‘stuff’ seems to crawl closer and closer to the center. Maybe the larger mat would help with my issue!
You make me laugh as I do feel the same way MANY TIMES….I think – how in the heck can my big work area suddenly become so small! I will say that there is ALWAYS a spot for this larger mat! I do love the Stampin’ Up! one and do use that when I am not at the house….but this one – it is used daily!
I like using a larger pad also . The Versa Mark Ink used first is a plus . I have not tried using the Absorber at the beginning . I am on the Paper Pumpkin Face Book blog and some of the PP stamps are sometimes a little patchy . I usually just wash mine in Ivory dish soap. I have also used the SU Glue Eraser . Paper towels and baby wipes can leave lint traces . I like your Absorber tip !! Great instructions ! Last tip……GET A MISTI !!
I totally agree about the Paper Pumpkin Stamps. I think that we find that to be more noticeable because people DIVE into their box and do not take the time to prep the stamps! I have found that ever since I have used this method/regime….I am super happy with the results! I do have a MISTI and LOVE IT!
Good morning Susan. Just a comment about those stamps. I did not like them when I first got them. Have found the you have to use the pierce mat along with them. Have a good ink pad as well. I like them as I to like to see where I am stamping and this is a big help.
I think that many of us have come around with the same feeling. I was really, REALLY against them when they first came out but as the saying goes, “You’ve come a long way baby”…this is true with the photopolymer!
I have been inking up all my stamps with Versamark for their first run for a long while–I think you may have mentioned it before. It does make a difference for sure. I have had one or two stamps where there was no getting a clear full image no matter what I did. One of the stamps was defective (unusual occurrence, but demonstrator support made it right) and the other one I just gave up on because it was part of a sentiment and I could use a Stampin’ Right marker to fix it if I was careful. I also swear by my MISTI–that is a stamp positioner worth its price many times over. I find most incompletely stamped issues I have are “operator error” and I haven’t made sure the stamp was fully inked evenly! Thanks for all the great tips.
I loved the comment of “Operator Error” – so true and I am totally guilty of that many times. I just had a stamp set that did not stamp well after all of the tricks of the trade that I did….Stampin’ Up! graciously replaced it….they are the best about doing this! Thanks for the feedback!
I agree with everything you said. The only thing that I would add, is that hold my stamp on the paper a little longer. I also have a MISTI, which works great. TFS
Good point….I do hold it firmly (which does take practice not to wobble) but another key element is the fact to make sure that your stamp pads are inked properly.
That also take practive as if you have too much ink in the pads….its a mess! I agree about the Misti – a great tool for many reasons! LOVE IT!
I love the tips ideas you share with us. I’ve tried conditioning with Versamark and will try the Absorber for new sets.
YEAH – thanks for leaving a comment. Try using both – versamark…..stamp…clean with an absorber…versamark…..etc….
What’s an absorber cleaning cloth?
An absorber cloth is a product that you can find at an auto store, walmart etc…..and cut it into pieces to clean your stamps….you can reuse it over and over and I thrown them in the washer when they get really icky!
Oh thanks Susan, I forgot about the VersaMark trick. I used the SU eraser on one at Christmas and it did help but not totally and tried a file on it. I will try this next time. Even though I have had a few not stamp fully, esp. the Paper Pumpkin ones I usually can wash them with dish soap and that works great! I still prefer these stamps over the rubber and especially over the wood mounts for storage and able to see where to stamp. I also fumble with wood stamps occasionally but that is operator error. I still plan on getting that Absorber cloth. Also, my stamp pads aren’t always inked up enough which again is operator error. My stampin spots from the PP to the rescue sometimes and that helps know if there is a problem with the stamp too.
I have a couple small pierce mat things that I use. Actually, I have found one in his tool box the other day. I think a bigger one would be a good idea as Ramsey stated her stamping space gets smaller and smaller. Plus, I can always use another piercer as that seems to disappear a lot too. Of course, if I was organized that would help too.
I had to laugh, when you provide a link to Amazon and you click it it sometimes comes back up on the side. That is such a bonus as Mike was doing something on the computer and the silicon mat sheets came up. He thought it was something he had looked into and ordered them. When they came and he opened the box he made the comment that he wasn’t sure what he needed them for. I laughed and said I sure can use them and I would like the 1/2 sheet pans to go with. So, last week the Absorber cloth as came up and he asked if it was something I wanted right away or could it wait until he ordered next time. He had no idea it was for stamping as he was reading about it and now he wants one too. I wonder how long I will be able to get by doing this? If it is for stamping, it can wait but if it is something he thinks he might want to check out, Katie bar the door!
It would not EVER be the same with a comment from you….WE LOVE YOU CHRIS R!!!!! Isn’t it amazing with how those POP UPS happen once you click on something!
I used to think – WOW – they know me soooo well…..SILLY SUSAN!
Hi Susan, I don’t usually have a problem. I have read to use Versamark first, but never did. I do have a misty and love it too.
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WOOT-WOOT to you! I bet it is that beautiful smile of yours that does it every time! Hugs my friend!
Susan, When I first started teaching classes, I had them use the piercing mat. That worked great, but it was small and there didn’t always remember. What I do now is I purchased from Hobby Lobby or Jo Ann’s a large piece of the craft foam, but I bought the 5mm (which is the thickest they make) and put one at each place. It’s just enough larger than our grid paper, that it gets protected by the grid paper, they don’t ever have to worry about remembering to put the piercing pad underneath. I use it in my personal space as well and I tack it down on the four corners with the wonderful paper tape you told us about. Washi tape would work as well. I just cut a piece long enough to start on the back of the mat, go over the corner catching the grid paper and around the other underside. Keeps the grid paper in place and costs about $1. Thank you for the tips on “prepping the stamps”. Your Tuesday tips are always so informative.
GREAT IDEA – I use the 1mm for foam for lifting my cards and I have seen the SUPER THICK ones…but never, ever thought that it would be great for stamping etc……as a stamping pad! THANK YOU for the Tip…..I just love how we learn from one another!
OK, Susan, I need your help here…confession time! I read where you told about the paper tape a while back…I I bought it & forgot about it…ran across it last night & thought “I wonder what I bought that for”…then saw it mentioned in the above comment & light bulb went off that I saw about it on your blog, BUT I can’t remember what you said to use it for?!?! Help!!! 🙂
Hey Susan ! It`s fun to come back and read ALL the comments and other tips . Especially with your added replies !!
I totally agree with Sonny on this!