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Okay, I have a question. When you stamp, how do you get it to look so good?? When I stamp I tend to have blotchy areas and not the nice crisp solid look. How do you do that?? Like I was using Stem Silhouettes today and the leaves don't come out solid.
Two things come to mind:
-make sure your inkpad is inked well - but not super juicy, and look at the rubber just before you stamp to see that there is an even distribution of ink on the entire image.
-when you stamp - use even and equal pressure across the entire stamp - but you should not have to press super hard. I tend to do a "test" impression on a sheet of scrap first to see how the image looks, then reink and stamp.
They're as inked up as they come. I don't have a lot of SU ink pads yet and I have no refill bottles. How about the little stampin' spots? I think I have an even harder time with those. I'm guessing they're not quite as good to use as the regular ink pads. With the little ones you have to dab around the stamp which I think may tend to splotch it?
When I ink up my stamp, I tap, tap, tap, till it's well inked. Then I smear it around on the ink pad a bit to get rid of lines (especially with the spots) then tap a bit more. Sometimes I find that a stamp just needs to get "broken in" so after it's stamped a few times, it stamps better. For very large solid stamps and background stamps, I'll ink up my brayer and use that to apply ink to the stamp. I get a lot better coverage that way and am happier with the final result.
Also, it depends on your paper. Not all inks are compatible with all papers.
Ahhh! The paper...good one. I was just looking at a piece of white paper I was testing on and the side with a little more texture was not as good.
Thank you both! I think it's a combo of what both of you have said.
I have also found that the surface i am stamping on, the table, has a lot to do with it. I heard people have used like fun foam or something under neath the paper they are stamping. I have started stamping on my creative memories cutting mat.
Good quality paper that will absorb yet not bleed, even pressure, and the press and count to ten method. Give time to allow the ink to saturate the paper.
Also, sometimes the rubber itself needs to be 'conditioned'. If you're not getting a good impression, try using a white art eraser (or the Pentel Clic eraser - same thing) on the rubber. Then clean the stamp like normal. I know with some of my solid images, the rubber sometimes repels the ink till it's broken in. Give that a shot and see if it helps any. Good luck!
Also, sometimes the rubber itself needs to be 'conditioned'. If you're not getting a good impression, try using a white art eraser (or the Pentel Clic eraser - same thing) on the rubber. Then clean the stamp like normal. I know with some of my solid images, the rubber sometimes repels the ink till it's broken in. Give that a shot and see if it helps any. Good luck!
Another thing you might check is the paper you are using---the more smooth, the better. SU's is great.
I buy two kinds of white paper for making cards:
1. Georgia Pacific Cardstock from Walmart to use as the base for my cards because it is less expensive.
2. Stampin' Up Whisper White to stamp on. Because of the finish of this paper, the ink stays more on the surface of the paper giving you a nice crisp look. I have accidentally stamped on the GP cardstock from Walmart and the image didn't come out crisp because that paper is more porous and the ink doesn't distribute on the surface very well.
Hi there, I have found sometimes if the stamp is new this happens, i now use some sticky tape like sellotape and I repeatedly stick the same bit down onto the stamp, you find that it picks up something.....residue from the stamp being made possible and after that it generally stamps clear.
Besides all of the great advice here don't forget to check the edge of your stamp before you put it on the paper. It's much easier to wipe off a stray bit of ink on the side of the stamp than to get that nasty line it leaves worked into your design.
When I was "newer" to stamping (still fairly new), I got so discouraged because I was having the same problem. Finally, I read a post about the white folding tables that are so lightweight and easy to carry. Fantastic for a rummage, horrible for stamping. These tables "give" and you really need something sturdy. I have an cutting board that I stamp on now. It has made a world of difference. Good Luck
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