Who says that stamping is just ink to paper? Here you will learn different techniques that add style and individuality. Also, fun projects that you can do with your stamps.
Press stamp firmly on to the ink pad several times and do a twist and march on the stamp pad. Check before stamping to be sure that all parts of the rubber are inked up. Press your stamp straight down firmly, without rocking or twisting on paper, to create a sharp impression. You may want to stamp onto a scratch piece of paper first, to see what the image looks like and get the "feel" of the stamp before beginning on your project.
Using solid stamps can make your stamping projects as quick as can be! Take your solid stamp and ink it using any of our Exclusive Ink pads, and that's it! There is no coloring; it's quick and easy. Perfect every time. My favorite!!
Stamping with an outline design can give you a different, more detailed look, than solid stamping. You can experiment with different mediums to color in the design. Stamp your open image in black ink, and then color in as you would in a coloring book. Use Close To My Heart markers, watercolor pencils or chalks just to name a few. Depending on the medium you choose, you can shade or blend the colors to create depth, and color lightly or dark to create subtlety or boldness.
Take your stamp and ink it up using any of our rainbow pads. Do not move your stamp around on the ink pad, or your rainbow colors will mix together. Stamp onto your paper for a colorful rainbow image.
Use markers to color directly onto your stamp. This works great for stamps that have parts that need to be different colors. Example-- from "The Fruit of the Vine set" color the strawberry red and the leaf green. Don't let the ink sit too long on the stamp and dry, if it does get a little too dry try "huffing" on it to re-moisten the stamp before stamping the image on your project.
Also called fading -- Stamp 2, 3, or 4 times without re-inking your stamp. The stamped image gets lighter and lighter with each impression, and creates motion. Depending on the stamp, it also creates an illusion of depth. This also makes it look like you own a lot of different colors of ink and they all match.
The rolling technique is a neat way to add something special to a solid stamp. This works best with flowers or leaf stamps. First ink your stamp in a light color. Then before stamping it, roll edges of the stamp in a darker color. When you stamp it, it gives it a two-toned effect with a darker color on the edge of the image. You can use this technique with one ink color by using the "second generation stamping" technique and rolling it in the same color.
This technique really makes your image "pop out". You must start with a solid stamp image. Ink it up with a White Daisy or Buttercup ink pad and stamp on white cardstock. Next, using Soft Chalks, apply the chalks to the image with an applicator. The chalk sticks to the ink, creating a unique texture and look. Last, clean up around your image with a soft chalk eraser.
Heat embossing will give your stamping a very elegant look. It is very simple and is the one technique that gets most people hooked on stamping. There are three basis steps to heat embossing:
- Stamp your impression using embossing ink or a pigment ink.
- Sprinkle with embossing powder over the wet inked image, pour off excess powder (return to container to reuse later).
- Use your heat tool and move over the powder until it melts and you will have a raised impression.
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Be sure that before you melt the impression that there is no embossing powder except for your stamped image, the stray powder will melt and give it a messy look. To remove excess powder use a small paint brush and brush off. Tip: If your paper has a lot of stray embossing powder sticking to it, rub your cardstock with a dryer sheet to remove the static, works like a charm.
Stamping is not just for your cards and scrapbooks. You can stamp on anything that stays still long enough stamp.
Use fabric paints available at most craft or fabric stores; acrylic paints also work. Be sure to experiment with both the paint and kind of fabric that you plan to stamp. Some paints that are supposed to be washable are not.
Make Your Own Paint "Stamp Pad"
- Cut a piece of white felt about the size of a stamp pad.
- Get the felt wet with water; then wring out so it is just damp.
- Put a few drops of paint (about 10) on the damp felt; smear around with the back of a spoon to even out the paint.
- With the felt on a flat surface, scrape most of the paint off with the side of a straight edge, like a Popsicle stick. This is a very important step, you want the felt barley wet with paint. Too much paint will only leave a big glob on your fabric.
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While using, set the felt on tin foil to protect your work surface. Keep it in a plastic bag for future use.
Between stampings, set the rubber stamp on a wet rag to prevent paint from drying on the stamp. Clean with water and a toothbrush.
HINT: When fabric stamping use a piece of self-stick mounting board. This holds the fabric tight and stable and leaves both your hands free for stamping! It also provides a solid, flat surface for good printing.
They look like marbled papers, like using chalks floating on water only more vibrant!!
- You spread a layer of dollar store shaving cream on something easy to clean later. Like a pie pan, baking sheet, etc. Use a spatula to spread, like frosting.
- Drip several drops of ink from a re-inker in 2 complimentary colors in a random pattern on the cream.
- Swirl the ink around with something about the size of a marker (an unsharpened pencil works well), making a pretty pattern.
- Cut ultra white (or glossy) cardstock into desired size and press down into the shaving cream making sure the entire surface is touching. Press from the middle out to the sides.
- Lift off the cardstock and scrape off cream, I use a plastic spatula, to reveal unique designs with each try.
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You've seen it in stores: Beautiful home décor made from velvet, and when you look closer you will notice a subtle imprint on the fabric. This look can be duplicated using your own rubber stamps, velvet, an iron, and a spray bottle of water.
When choosing velvet, buy velvet with high Rayon content (such as 35% Rayon 65% Acetate). Velvet with a high silk content works well too, but you will notice the most dramatic results using a rayon/acetate blend. These grades of velvet cost a bit more, but will result in a finer finished product.
Use stamps with simple, bold designs. Solid design stamps work well too, but those with both solid and open space designs work best, as the contrast becomes more evident. Stay away from stamps with intricate detail! I recommend that you test out various stamps for yourself and see what designs you prefer before tackling a true craft project!
The process of stamping on velvet is simple:
- Set your iron between medium-high & high setting (just below a cotton setting). You may need to experiment and adjust your iron as needed to get the best impression.
- Place your rubber stamp with the rubber-side up on a table or similar hard surface. An ironing board does not work well for this application.
- Position your velvet nap-side (fuzzy side) down over your stamp.
- Using your pray bottle, mist the back-side of the material until slightly damp.
- Place your iron down on the backside of the velvet directly over the stamp below. Avoid positioning your iron with the steam holes on the area where you want the stamped impression.
- Hold the iron down on the velvet for about 20 seconds. If you are using a large stamp, you may need to carefully pick up your iron and re-position it after 5 to 10 seconds to fully cover your rubber stamp design.
- Continue to re-position as needed for a total of 20 to 30 seconds.
- After the allotted time, carefully lift the iron off the fabric. You should see the outline of stamp on the backside of the velvet when it is done. If you don't see this outline, replace the iron onto the velvet for a few more seconds, then check again. Continue this process until you notice the design. The design will be actually melted and crushed into the nap of the velvet.
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Stamping on velvet is relatively simple, but as with most artwork, it may require a bit of practice. Project using stamped velvet might include pillows, tree skirts, or table runners.
The Tombow Blending Pen can be used with many products to create shading and more. You can color the interior border of an area with a marker or watercolor pencils, use the blending pen to pull color towards the center of the area. This will give your project a beautiful soft watercolor look.
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