Clear Stamp Questions

[mommytotwo]

I am giving clear stamps another try. So far I am liking what I tried. But, I do have a few questions, and feel free to tell me all about them as well as posting your stamped image projects....I have a bunch of images that are just sitting around.

*Are clear stamps a better investment then wood mounted stamps?

*What is the difference between a cling stamp, and a clear stamp?

*What are the best brands, and worse brands in your opinion?

*Where online can I find a nice Get WHALE Soon stamp?

*What sites have a good variety, and price for clear stamps?

*Is there anything in particular or tips that I should know about clear stamps?

 

[ohMom]

I have been using Close to my Heart clear/cling acrylic stamps for probably 3 years now. i love them! I buy CD crates from walmart for 99 cents each to store them. its alot easier to store a larger quantity of these stamps vs mounted ones. I can flip through several sets quickly. It takes less space.

if you are stamping a word that you need to use a letter twice, simply leave the space for the letter the first time, then b/c you can see your placement you add in the letter after. always in place

you can see the ink on the stamp before stamping to ensure full ink coverage. if the image doesn't stamp completely, line up the stamp and re-stamp. no re-inking as the remaining ink is still on the stamp

Hobby Lobby clearances out clear stamps often, I do use those too but the quality is less in my opinion, just feels less firm when stamping

i don't understand "get WHALE soon"?

 

[ZeroToHero]

i don't understand "get WHALE soon"?

I think it's supposed to be a pun on "get well soon."

 

[mommytotwo]

I think it's supposed to be a pun on "get well soon."

, thank you ZeroToHero

Thank you ohMom for all those tips. Do you know how I would the clear stamps to stick onto the blocks once the stickness goes away?

 

[redlawyer]

They aren't really "sticky". Its just when the plastic is clean, it will stick to the acrylic block. If it won't stick, just wipe it with a baby wipe. Thats how I clean the ink off of the stamps, too. I keep the baby wipes in the drawer with the stamps.

 

[ohMom]

i use the acrylic stamp cleaner spritzer but i know soap and water works too. I have put my blocks in the dishwasher before too.

another advantge to clear blocks is, if you want letters/images at a specific placement, you can place the stamps (right side down) on your paper in the way you want them, then press the block on top of them to cling to the block and then ink and stamp the image

 

[christwing]

I loved clear stamps when I first used them because of their easy placement and how much less space they take up. However, there are some brands out there that I had trouble with so I don't use them much anymore. It was like the ink wouldn't get on the stamp, it seemed to bead up. This meant I didn't get a clear image. And often the images get miss shaped after a while.

Recently Stampin' Up! started carrying traditional rubber stamps with no wood mounts. Instead they have a plastic cling on the back and you use them like clear stamps. These kind of stamps are called clear mounts. The ink goes on well everytime no matter what brand of ink and the image never gets distorted.

Their clear mount stamps come in dvd size cases so anything you can store a dvd in is good. I have a rack on my wall and store them there.

 

[laura&fam]

They aren't really "sticky". Its just when the plastic is clean, it will stick to the acrylic block. If it won't stick, just wipe it with a baby wipe. Thats how I clean the ink off of the stamps, too. I keep the baby wipes in the drawer with the stamps.

I use moslty Close To My Heart acrylic stamps and one set won't stick to anything. I have tried washing it by hand in soapy water, but that didn't help. Does anyone have any other suggestions if the baby wipes don't work?
In general I like the acrylic stamps. They are cheaper, store better, and easier to place on your project.

 

[ohMom]

laura -- i would definately contact the consultant you bought them from...i have never heard of that from CTMH products. maybe they are defective?

 

[laura&fam]

laura -- i would definately contact the consultant you bought them from...i have never heard of that from CTMH products. maybe they are defective?

I wondered because all the other stamp sets have been great, no problems and I use some of them way more than that one.

One suggestion for using acrylic stamps, put something with a little bit of give underneath the thing you are stamping. Close to My Heart stamps come with a piece of smooth packing type material (with tiny air bubbles). My images come out much clearer, with even non-Close to my heart stamps if I put my paper on top of it.

 

[ksbean]

*Are clear stamps a better investment then wood mounted stamps? It’s all a matter of preference. A few of the advantages are it takes less space to store them and you can see where you are stamping. I have all three. Clear, Cling and Wood Mounted.

*What is the difference between a cling stamp, and a clear stamp? A clear stamp is clear where you can see down to the ink. Cling stamps from what I’ve see is like what Stampin Up is carrying. Stampin Ups cling stamp is a rubber stamp with a plastic picture on the other side that clings to the clear block.

*What are the best brands, and worse brands in your opinion? Technique Tuesday has good quality clear stamps. I’ve bought others at the local craft stores. Some are better than others.

*Is there anything in particular or tips that I should know about clear stamps? One thing I learned taking a Technique Tuesday stamp class is you can stamp using either side. The opposite site of the detail gives you a shadow stamp. Another thing I learned is to think outside of the box. Example: A flower stem when inked just at the bottom can be used to make grass. Some inks work better than others. Lately I’ve been using palette noir black for the clear stamps. I just bought Memento Tuxedo Black to use with the Copic markers but I have used it all that much yet.
A few online stores I like are www.scrapyland.com, www.allthatscraps.com, www.scrap-mart.com. For a look at the Technique Tuesday stamps their website is www.techniquetuesday.com.
Have fun. - Karen

 

[peppermintpea]

i love acrylic stamps! i store mine in 3 ring binders...in clear cd sleeves or for the small ones in trading card sleeves. I mount them on card stock and slide it in!

 

[laura&fam]

i love acrylic stamps! i store mine in 3 ring binders...in clear cd sleeves or for the small ones in trading card sleeves. I mount them on card stock and slide it in!

I don't think I have seen cd sleeves for 3 ring binders. How many are on each page and can you just get them at any office supply store? I'm just trying to picture them and can't.