Stampin Techniques

Hello there ladies, just thought that i would put this up for you all to have a read, I found it interesting. I know that i have a lot of stamps, and probably don't use them to their full potential.

The type of ink used depends on the look you want to achieve and on what material you want to stamp. Here are the most common types of inks:

• Dye - fast drying ink that resists smudging and is permanent once stamped onto paper. Perfect for most stamping projects and available in thousands of colors. Dye based inks may fade with time, making them less attractive for scrapbook enthusiasts. One also might experience some bleed with papers that are very absorbent.
  
• Pigment - slow drying ink that is permanent, fade-resistant, and easy to smudge. Colors tend to be more vibrant, and ink is a bit thicker than dye-based inks.
  
• Chalk Finish - ink dries to a subtle, chalky finish, even on dark surfaces. These may be purchased in dye or pigment ink.
  
• Versamark - this is watermark ink that leaves a subtle tone on tone image. Slow drying ink also makes it perfect for embossing.
  
• Staz On - A solvent based ink means that dries by evaporation, not absorption like water-based dye inks. This makes it perfect for smooth surfaces, such as glass, metal and photographs. Stamps should be cleaned immediately with a solvent cleaner when using this ink.
  

Besides ink pads, other products you might like to have on hand include embossing powders, a brayer, sponge daubers, embossing enamel, and pearl powers. Then, of course, you need to have the stamps!
There are probably as many rubber stamps available as there are stars in the sky. They are available mounted and unmounted, on transparent or opaque rubber, and there is a image for every possible occasion. They are extremely versatile, the same image can take on so many different looks. If you are just getting started in the world of stamping, start with alphabets and basic shapes like stars, flowers, snowflakes and leaves. Basic images can be used many times in your albums, in different ways, without looking repetitive. Try these ideas for making yours stamps more versatile:

• Change the stamped ink color, or the medium used to accent the image. Try watercolor pencils, markers, chalks, glitter, acrylic paints, or pearl powders.
  
• Use just a portion of a stamp, as opposed to the entire image.
  
• Change the paper or surface, such as patterned paper, fabric, Mica, vellum, or textured cardstock.
  
• Add mixed media, such as brads, eyelets, fiber, ribbon, tags and buttons.
  

A rubber stamp enthusiastic will tell you there is no end to the techniques one can learn with inks and stamps. To get started, try these basic techniques:
Direct to Paper - Images and inks are pressed to paper, either directly onto your layout, or onto paper and mounted to your page. Ink your stamp well. For larger stamps, it is often easier to bring lay the stamp image side up, and bring the ink to the stamp, tapping the pad onto the image. Press the image onto the paper, pressing firmly with your palm and being careful not to rock or twist the stamp. Pick the stamp straight up off the paper. Allow image to dry. Color the image if desired.
Heat Embossing - This technique gives a raised impression to your stamped image. Stamp your image onto your paper with pigment, watermark, or embossing ink. Place your image over a sheet of plain copy paper or a tray. Pour embossing powder onto your entire stamped image. Pick up the image and tap it against the lain paper to remove excess embossing powder. The copy paper can then be used as a funnel to return power to its jar. The image then needs to be heated, with the use of an embossing gun. Slowly move the heat gun over the image until your image begins to ¿a1§pop¿a1¨ off the page. Be careful not to overheat, as you might scorch the paper.
Shadow Stamping - This technique is done in two steps: stamping the shadow stamp in a light color, then stamping your image in a darker ink over that shadow. Shadow stamps are typically a solid rubber shape, such as squares and circles, many with unique edges.
Resist - With this technique, the image will remain the only area of your paper not colored by ink. Stamp your image onto glossy paper using a resist or watermark ink pad. Ink a brayer and roll the brayer across the paper and image.

Masking - Masking is done when one wants to bring an image to the forefront of a scene. To create a mask, stamp your forefront image onto a post-it pad and trim the image. You will need to cut just inside the edge of the image for best results. To use the mask, stamp your image onto your cardstock or paper. Place the mask over your image when it dries. Stamp your background layer(s) and allow to dry. Remove the mask to reveal your layered art.

With these products and techniques, you can create unique and beautiful scrapbook layouts. You'll soon realize that inks and stamps are a versatile, artistic way to preserve your memories! Happy Stamping!

Hopefully these will give you some tips for using our stamps more often!!!

Happy Scrappin!!

The two things I have such a hard time with is heat embossing and masks, i don't know i just can't seem to get it right

he he he !!! i love to emboss, but i don't do it enough and i have never tried masking so maybe that can be something for me to trial myself lol

everytime i emboss it just doesn't work out how it should, so i have given up on that...with masking i'm slowly getting to be able to master that technique

I have never embossed!!! Don't think I have enough patience!!!

hehehe it is not that hard really!!! but looks very effective!!!

It sure does, I love the look!

yeah i love the look but when ever i try to do it all i end up with is a mess

So many possibilities, can't wait to try more.

One thing I don't lack is stamps . . . .

me either megan!!!! i love stamps!!!! but like i said b4 don't use them to their potential

Ive been laying fun foam under when Im stamping - was doubtful at first but it really has helped teh stamped image.
The only thing about embossing here is my hand gets hot over the toaster!Lol

Have a face mask that doesn't work either

I love stamping - embossing was what got me hooked! But I too don't use them to their potential. Never masked before either! Heat gun was a part of my xmas present very useful!

Sarah Lou to save your hands go to a kitchen shop and buy yourself a cheap pair of mini metal tongs to hold the paper - they will keep your fingers away from the toaster - you should be able to get them for under $5.

Thanks for the info Amanda

I have a stamps but don't use them that much as I can never seem to get them to look right

**VickiP** wrote:

yeah i love the look but when ever i try to do it all i end up with is a mess

Vicki have you tried lightly dusting the paper with corn flour (or even brush on with a paint brush) it helps stop the powder sticking everywhere you dont want it, i also have a paintbrush just for my embossing so if i get stray powder i can brush it straight off. Hope this helps

another way to avoid a mess and this comes from my stamp teacher is if you want a colour then stamp the colour and emboss with clear embossing powder that way even if there is a little bit of powder out of place it doesn't stand out! She tends to do this for all but metallics.