Stamping ?

[LindaBabe]

So the Christmas cards posted on the card thread were pretty much the first stamping I've done.

Any previous attempts have been dismal failures, as I manage to wear more ink than hits the paper, then my inky fingers smudge the paper, and the letters never line up.

I managed not to smudge these, but i'm not that happy with the clarity of the stamped image.

HOW do you get an even coat of ink transfered to the paper?

WHAT kind of stamp pad do you use? I seem to have a motley assortment of dye, pigment and chalk, depending on the colors I could find them in.

WHAT can I do to improve my technique?

 

[morgansmom2000]

Pigment inks tend to be "wetter." They work well with embossing powder because they dry slower. Dye inks dry faster, and won't be as "smudgy" as pigment, because they aren't as wet.

I use SU inks (dye version - I love the colors) and Staz-On (permanent) almost exclusively. I love love love SU stamps!

I find that it takes a little time to get the image just right. It may help if you put a mouse pad under your paper instead of directly onto a hard table to give it some give. Or, if you are using a large stamp, get a brayer and put the paper on top of the inked stamp and put pressure on the paper instead of the other way around.

I also color my stamps with (SU) markers and then stamp. You just color in the parts and then "huff" on the stamp to give it back some moisture.

You did a great job with your Christmas cards! Keep it up.