Get Started Stamping – Part 3: All About Stamps

For the third installment of Get Started Stamping, I will discuss the different types of stamps on the market. This will be old information for most, but I thought it would be nice to start from the beginning for newbies wanting to dive into the stamping world.

We’re all familiar with red rubber stamps, but did you know that stamps come in photopolymer and foam also? Here, I will discuss the pros and cons of the different types of available stamps.

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Rubber Stamps

Image © 2008 Stampin’ Up!

Rubber stamps are the tried and true classic stamps that everyone knows. These stamps are typically mounted with a layer of foam on a wooden block and an image of the stamp affixed to the top. Rubber stamps ink up very well and they produce an even, defined images, even when the artwork is intricate. The main downside of using rubber stamps is the difficult positioning; since the stamps are not clear, they are harder to stamp in exact locations. If precise placement is required, a stamp positioner (like a Stamp-a-ma-jig) must be used.

Rubber stamps are also available unmounted, where the rubber comes in a sheet that is not stuck to foam or a wooden block. Unmounted stamps can be easily attached to blocks using mounting foam. However, some crafters prefer to leave the stamps unmounted because they take up less storage space. Unmounted rubber stamps can be temporarily adhered on acrylic blocks using a vinyl cling sheet, like EZ Mount. When they are not used, they can be removed from the blocks and stored in thin containers, like CD jewel cases.

Image © 2008 Stampin’ Up!

Stampin’ Up stamps come on unmounted rubber with a layer of foam and adhesive. Wood blocks and image stickers are provided for easy, permanent assembly (more on assembly in a later post).

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Photopolymer Stamps

Image from StewartSuperior.com

Commonly known as acrylic stamps, photopolymer stamps are completely clear and come unmounted, typically on an acetate sheet. When the stamps are used, they temporarily adhere to acrylic blocks in the same way that a vinyl decal would stick to a car window.

The two main advantages of clear stamps are the minimal storage space they require and the ability to see exactly where the image is being stamped without the use of a placement tool. Clear stamps are also typically less expensive than rubber stamps because they require less materials to manufacture. When permanent inks (like StazOn) are used on clear stamps, they stain the stamp and do not wash off completely. However, this does not affect the the stamp’s performance.

The downside of photopolymer stamps is the image quality; ink tends to pool on the stamps and therefore, the stamps do not print clearly (think water droplets pooling on a plastic surface). Some ink types supposedly minimize the pooling effect (for example solvent or hybrid ink). However, for intricate images, photopolymer stamps will not show the same amount of detail as a rubber stamp.

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Foam Stamps

Image from scraphappy.net.au

Foam stamps are very inexpensive and can even be made at home. They are often found in the décor aisle of craft stores, like Michaels, and they work well with acrylic paint. There are a plethora of home décor projects available online utilizing foam stamps and paint. The downside of foam stamps is that they often lack detail, since foam is not a good medium for creating intricate designs. They also lack the longevity of rubber or photopolymer stamps because the material is not as durable.

So, naturally the next question would be: which stamps should I buy? The answer depends on a variety of factors. Is it important for you to easily see where the stamp is being placed? What type of ink do you like using? What is your budget and project?

I own mostly rubber stamps because I have a decent amount of storage space (they take up a lot of room when you have a large collection) and the image quality of the stamps is most important to me. I don’t mind using a Stamp-a-ma-jig when it comes to image placement.

I’ve found that photopolymer stamps are a hit or miss when it comes to pooling ink issues. The higher quality clear stamps pool less. The cheaper quality ones have ripped on me while trying to remove them from the acetate sheets they’re stored on. I still love and purchase clear stamps, but I tend to choose the designs with more lines and less flat surface areas to minimize blotchy images. When I stamp with alphabets, I prefer using clear stamps so I can see where I’m placing my letters.

I also own a handful of large foam stamps that I use with acrylic paint, mostly for scrapbooking.

I hope this was helpful!Have a great Halloween weekend!