Stamping a good image on watercolor paper

[Benzi]

Does anyone have a tip for stamping images on watercolor paper? I use 124 or 140# paper. Some of the stamps do really well but with some of the larger stamps, I cannot get a clear image. I can if I use cardstock but I watercolor my images and need and like the wc paper. I have tried to stamp on a table, foam board, you name it. These are mounted, unmounted, and clear stamps.

[Cook22]

- I was having just this problem with a big Northwoods stamp today. I even re-inked my pad - but after two fails I gave up. So I'll be watching this thread. I don't really want to have to buy hot-pressed, though I suspect that might be the answer.

[KatarinaM]

You could emboss the image if you don't want to buy hot press watercolor paper. But I have had better luck using Versafine ink on some of the rougher watercolor papers. Versafine ink makes the most beautiful crisp, clean impressions, however it's not compatible with all coloring techniques which is why I don't use it more often (gamsol magic, copics). I believe it is waterproof, though. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Cook22]

I don't know about Benzi -I was using Versafine, because it's what I use most of the time. And then I tried with StazOn after re-inking the pad, because I know my Versafine pad is finally drying up a bit. For me, it's that the paper is just too rough for the big detailed stamp to give a good impression. Which is why I thought the HP might be better, being a smoother finish.

[GreenDragonLady]

Sometimes with larger stamps it helps to put the inked stamp face up on the table, lay the paper on top, then rub carefully with your fingertips or a brayer. That's what I do with the large background stamps.

[Benzi]

Sabrina, I usually use Staz On and SU ink. I am sure willing to try the hot press paper. I think I have tried placing the stamp face up method, Jessica, but I will try it again to be sure. It is all so maddening (wasting paper) stamping again and again trying to get an image.

[row4d]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenDragonLady

Sometimes with larger stamps it helps to put the inked stamp face up on the table, lay the paper on top, then rub carefully with your fingertips or a brayer. That's what I do with the large background stamps.

Me, too! Once your stamp gets to be a certain size, it's virtually impossible to apply even pressure to both the edges and the center of the block, and you know if you press too hard you get blurry lines!

[GreenDragonLady]

I usually use the less rough side of the watercolor paper, too.

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenDragonLady

I usually use the less rough side of the watercolor paper, too.

I'm sure that would help, also. Thanks for joining in on this thread to help out.

[kellybee]

I use the side that's not as rough too. I also put a couple of sheets of paper under the watercolour paper to give it a little cushion...sometimes I do miss spots and waste paper though...

[SophieLaFontaine]

I use the less-rough side of the paper too. Though once I was determined to use the rough side and sat there with a tiny-pointed pen filling in all the lines and dots that did not stamp (this was the four-leaf-clover House Mouse stamp).

[GypsyRoseStamper]

I think hot press paper is the answer. Cold press just doesn't make sense; the texture is too rough. Hopefully, you aren't using the watercolor paper for your entire card. A large sheet should last a long time. I don't think Michaels has a pad, but there is probably hot press in the large sheets they sell. Any art store, of course, would carry the parent sheets of hot press.

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsyRoseStamper

I think hot press paper is the answer. Cold press just doesn't make sense; the texture is too rough. Hopefully, you aren't using the watercolor paper for your entire card. A large sheet should last a long time. I don't think Michaels has a pad, but there is probably hot press in the large sheets they sell. Any art store, of course, would carry the parent sheets of hot press.

No, I just use it for the image part of the card. I think I can get it at my Hobby Lobby.

[bwstamper]

Benzi, I also prefer hot press water color paper. I did not find a pad when I was looking so ended up with a large sheet.

Sometimes I like the look of the texture of cold press though. I know you said that you have tried stamping on foam board but have you tried the fun foam. I use 2 sheets of the thicker fun foam to stamp on and this makes a big difference when using larger stamps. Good luck finding something that works for you.

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwstamper

Benzi, I also prefer hot press water color paper. I did not find a pad when I was looking so ended up with a large sheet.

Sometimes I like the look of the texture of cold press though. I know you said that you have tried stamping on foam board but have you tried the fun foam. I use 2 sheets of the thicker fun foam to stamp on and this makes a big difference when using larger stamps. Good luck finding something that works for you.

Thanks. I'll try your suggestion. I'll certainly check into using hot press because it is just not working on cold press with those large images.

[steubner]

I had this same problem, and was filling in empty spots with a black pigment pen, but once I bought hot press paper, I was addicted. It's soooo fabulous!

[IvyQ]

No idea if this will work, but it's worth a try if you already have the cold pressed WC paper: To remove some of the sizing in the paper, some artists soak the paper in water for a few minutes, then mount it with staples around the edges to a wooden board to dry, sponging it down to the board before stapling. To make the paper smoother (less texture), you may be able to squeegee across the paper several times or use a brayer to roll it smooth before stapling it down.

If you do try this, let us know how it worked!

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steubner

I had this same problem, and was filling in empty spots with a black pigment pen, but once I bought hot press paper, I was addicted. It's soooo fabulous!

Oh, I am so glad to hear this. I will be out tomorrow buying hot press and quit driving myself crazy trying to get an image stamped clearly. Thanks.

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvyQ

No idea if this will work, but it's worth a try if you already have the cold pressed WC paper: To remove some of the sizing in the paper, some artists soak the paper in water for a few minutes, then mount it with staples around the edges to a wooden board to dry, sponging it down to the board before stapling. To make the paper smoother (less texture), you may be able to squeegee across the paper several times or use a brayer to roll it smooth before stapling it down.

If you do try this, let us know how it worked!

Thanks for this tip. I'll probably just buy the hot press paper and take the lazy way out.

[stamphappy1650]

Cold press paper is rough to allow the watercolor medium to be more transparent (i.e. let the white of the paper show through.

I have a wonderful, smooth watercolor paper called Marl. I used to be able to buy Marl paper from KT Designs out of Canada, but I can't find the website. I bought a few packs so I have some left, but I would love to be able to find that paper again. Anybody know who carries this paper?