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I received a great suggestion from Jill that I wanted to share:
Quote:
Hi Beate - re Sue's question on conditioning acrylic stamps (I couldn't find relevant area in Forum) : I learned from Tim Holtz the technique of inking up the stamp with Archival ink, wiping/stamping off the ink BUT NOT cleaning it, then inking with whichever ink you intend to use. This works brilliantly, particularly for water/dye based inks. The other tip for a crisp image is to not press too hard due to the softer nature of acrylic stamps. Could you please post this to the relevant area?
I found this one out by accident myself a couple years ago too (great minds think a like - me and Tim :lol: :lol: :lol I was doing some embossing and forgot a stamp on my desk with Versa Mark on it and after that it worked even better to get a clean image. It sure takes having to have the technique just perfect to work with those clear stamps.
I think the wiping bit is without cleaning products, just a quick wipe with some paper towel for example. Stamping off is probably easier on a scrap piece of paper.
Is it me or is any one else confused about what's being discussed? Is this a better technique for stamping with acrylics? Why would I need TH Archival Ink to do this?
Beate, could you give us some background other than the quote, please, and perhaps a step-by-step.
I like all stamps. Acrylic and rubber. For some acrylic stamps a conditioning is needed so that stamp takes on ink better. The conditioning method discussed here is simple. Take your clear stamp and ink it up with any Archival brand ink you have. I have several Archival Ink colors, but I usually use Archival Black for this purpose. Once it is inked up, stamp it on scrap paper. I have used printer paper I collect that has little to zero printing on it for my scrap paper. Stamp and then stamp-off the image until you see nothing when you stamp. Don't clean the stamp with a liquid cleaner or the scrub pad this time. Now ink up the clear stamp with your desired color ink of choice. Stamp lightly but firmly on your desired card stock. The image and color of ink should come out crisp and clean. Now you can clean the ink off with a slightly damp cloth or scrub pad.
For some reason that Archival Ink conditions the stamp to take on other inks well.
Remember that clear stamps may stain especially after using black Archival Ink, BUT it does not affect the ability to stamp with other colors after this! Tim states this in his method, and he is perfectly O.K. with it and expects it to stain the stamps. It just does not affect the ability of the stamp to take on other inks after this!
OK, I was totally in lala land when I read the original post. What I am doing is using Versa Mark and just leaving it on my stamp to dry (since I forgot my stamp out and that's what happened). Works great on the acrylic stamps so they take dye ink better.
You don't need to use archival ink. I learned this technique when I was a CTMH consultant when they first came out with their acrylic stamps. I just used regular CTMH ink and it worked just fine.
I like all stamps. Acrylic and rubber. For some acrylic stamps a conditioning is needed so that stamp takes on ink better. The conditioning method discussed here is simple. Take your clear stamp and ink it up with any Archival brand ink you have. I have several Archival Ink colors, but I usually use Archival Black for this purpose. Once it is inked up, stamp it on scrap paper. I have used printer paper I collect that has little to zero printing on it for my scrap paper. Stamp and then stamp-off the image until you see nothing when you stamp. Don't clean the stamp with a liquid cleaner or the scrub pad this time. Now ink up the clear stamp with your desired color ink of choice. Stamp lightly but firmly on your desired card stock. The image and color of ink should come out crisp and clean. Now you can clean the ink off with a slightly damp cloth or scrub pad.
For some reason that Archival Ink conditions the stamp to take on other inks well.
Remember that clear stamps may stain especially after using black Archival Ink, BUT it does not affect the ability to stamp with other colors after this! Tim states this in his method, and he is perfectly O.K. with it and expects it to stain the stamps. It just does not affect the ability of the stamp to take on other inks after this!
Is it me or is any one else confused about what's being discussed? Is this a better technique for stamping with acrylics? Why would I need TH Archival Ink to do this?
Beate, could you give us some background other than the quote, please, and perhaps a step-by-step.
Kathlyn, last week's "Ask Beate" question in the newsletter was:
Quote:
I have a difficult time getting a sharp image with cling (clear) stamps. Is there something I can do to condition them to receive the ink better?
I've taken a few classes with Tim and he rarely "cleans" his stamps. At first I thought OMG, but I've learned that the ink protects the stamp from drying out. I just stamp off and put the stamp away. When I get ready to use it, then I give it a cleaning to make sure the previous ink doesn't rub off on the pad. I've found that some of my dirtiest stamps give the best image.
Tim explained that the stamps are tools, meant to have ink and get dirty. The whole idea of clean stamps made him laugh.
I don't have Archival Black ink but I do have trouble getting clear and crisp images with clear/acrylic stamps. I use 2 different black inks depending on what colouring method I am using: Memento Tuxedo black for when I am using OMS/Gamsol and Prisma pencils - and Versafine Onyx black for when I using watercolour pencils because it is waterproof. Would inking my image with Archival black ink before I put my other black ink work for both colouring methods, ie: is my image likely to smear if I added water or OMS to it? Or does the Archival Black ink not smear no matter what type of colouring method you use? :confused:
I have even used Stazon ink to "stain" my acrylic stamps. I just ink it and stamp off and repeat a few times. The permanent ink layer really helps with the impression after that.
I've taken a few classes with Tim and he rarely "cleans" his stamps. At first I thought OMG, but I've learned that the ink protects the stamp from drying out. I just stamp off and put the stamp away. When I get ready to use it, then I give it a cleaning to make sure the previous ink doesn't rub off on the pad. I've found that some of my dirtiest stamps give the best image.
Tim explained that the stamps are tools, meant to have ink and get dirty. The whole idea of clean stamps made him laugh.
except the ink could clog up the detail of the stamp meaning it won't give a good impression.
I wash my clear stamps before I use them the first time. I have also mounted them on cling cushion when I can't get an even impression. (Usually with sentiments) Hope that helps.
The photopolymer stamps hold ink better than acrylics in my experience. They are a bit more expensive, but worth it to avoid frustration. Ink types/brands vary in how they cling to clear stamps, too.
I also condition my stamps when I first get them- I use the white Staedtler plastic eraser on them, wash with dish soap to remove the eraser bits, and let dry. I sometimes use one of the thick emery boards on acrylic stamps, very lightly, if they don't take ink well.
I too have found that if I ink up a stamp, stamp off, then ink again (with whatever ink I am using both times, no special inks), I get a really good impression. The stamping off also helps you to see how much pressure you need to use to get a good impression on your nice paper, as it varies with the density of the stamp and brand, and the ink and even how juicy the inkpad is. Additionally, I use a graph paper spiral notebook under my nice paper for stamping- it gives a bit of cushion plus the graph paper helps with alignment of stamps. Just turn the page when it is full or if the ink is wet. The graph paper under is great for glueing too, but I remove the page if it has glue on it so there aren't bumps under where I am stamping later.
I am a Close to My Heart Consultant, and I learned from another consultant to rub a stamp (especially the solid ones) on the inside of your arm before you stamp. Takes the 'shine' off the stamp, and it works like a charm! I know lots of consultants that do the conditioning described above, that can work too. Sometimes I do both
I have even used Stazon ink to "stain" my acrylic stamps. I just ink it and stamp off and repeat a few times. The permanent ink layer really helps with the impression after that.
At one time I heard never to use Staz On on clear stamps as the solvent can eat the stamp. Perhaps that was the acrylic and not the polymer? Since I heard that though, I never use Stazon with my clear stamps. Better safe than sorry.
Try using a rough rubbery eraser to rub across the stamp - both horizontally, then vertically. This basically removes any oils or coating from the manufacturing process and allows the stamp to accept the ink better.
At one time I heard never to use Staz On on clear stamps as the solvent can eat the stamp. Perhaps that was the acrylic and not the polymer? Since I heard that though, I never use Stazon with my clear stamps. Better safe than sorry.
I have used Stazon many times with clear stamps and no problem. I think the Stazon cleaner is the real problem so I don't use it on clear stamps. After using Stazon with a clear stamp, I clean the stamp with a baby wipe and then swish them in water with a drop of dish detergent and then in clear water. No signs of damage.
At one time I heard never to use Staz On on clear stamps as the solvent can eat the stamp. Perhaps that was the acrylic and not the polymer? Since I heard that though, I never use Stazon with my clear stamps. Better safe than sorry.
I use very few clear stamps, so I could be wrong about this - but I'm pretty sure that the problem is with the Staz-On Cleaner, and that it damages the clear blocks. I know that as a user of cling rubber stamps, I was warned to not get the cleaner on the clear blocks because it would cause crazing (microscopic cracks). I use a cleaner called EZ Duz It from my lss that removes every kind of ink - even what appeared to be dried-on acrylic paint.
I've been using Stazon Clearner on my clear stamps. Had no idea it could damage them. Will just use water from now on.
__________________ Mary ~~ QFTD #152, FS#514CC Guest Design Team 2012, 2013, 2017 & 2022 2014 CAS Spring Design Team MemberSC Guest Design Team 2015 & 2022 SU Consultant "Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life" - Lion King
I've taken several classes from Clear & Simple Stamps. They - and Stephanie Barnard - have us "erase" the stamps before we use them the way timetrvlr (Glitter Queen) suggested. I also use the small foam pads recommended by CTMH when I'm not getting the images I want. But Stamps of Life and CSS both have really clean, crisp images. (IMHO)
Ask Beate - Conditioning clear stamps
