cutting unmounted rubber stamps?

artsebella · 03-20-2009

I've recently bought several unmounted rubber stamps that have cling cushion attached to them. What is the best way to cut around the images? Kai scissors? Hot Knife? Do I need to cut in straight lines around the image or try to follow the curve?

Does anyone know of a blog that explains the best way to do this? Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks for helping this newbie out!

lesliespringer · 03-20-2009

I invested in a pair of Kai scissors. I know of no blog or info sites that tell how to cut rubber stamps out. Just go for it. It is not that hard. Good Luck!!

just_v · 03-20-2009

I use Tim Holtz scissors from Tonic Studios for all my rubber trimming. I trim in straight lines, slowly clipping away the "excess". When I get to where I like it, I'll ink it and stamp it a few times to make sure I don't have any areas that will catch and transfer ink around my image.

I don't know of any website that shows trimming in general, although Gina K has a good video on trimming her company stamps over on Stamp TV. That might help you get started.

V

allamericanstampers · 03-20-2009

You want to be sure to hold the scissors straight so that you don't undercut the grey cushion underneath...KWIM? You don't want it to look like a wedge and have less cushion underneath the rubber.

Also, after I've cut out my image, I go around the edges of the rubber and trim at a 45 degree angle. It's just ever so slight but it helps prevent shadowing which can ruin a perfectly good image!!

katestamps716 · 03-20-2009

I use the Tim Holtz scissors. They're serrated and coated with Teflon and cut through like a hot knife in butter.

Gina K. Designs · 03-20-2009

I just posted a video on this in our Member company forum for anyone interested in seeing how it's done.

How to trim unmounted rubber stamps

stamphappy1650 · 03-20-2009

I use SU craft & rubber scissors and they are terriffic. Also, OMS cleans the sticky gunk off your scissors and your fingers.

I tried a hot knife and decided that it wasn't for me. I don't like having something that hot and the stand wasn't that great so it can easily tip over.

scrappinforNate · 03-21-2009

I use a hot knife.. it cuts very close. It is very awkward at first since it is VERY hot but I've gotten used to it.. I have a "cutting" day and do all my sets- it is esp. helpful for already trimmed stamps that are not on ez mount.
However, I do use Kai scissors for others and as Chris said, be sure to hold it straight when you cut. If you hold it at an angle, the grey foam will be cut under the size of the stamp. I've read that the tim holtz scissors are better than Kai which means they'd rock. I need a new pair myself- my Kai scissors are pretty dull after hundreds of stamp sets being cut

Pixinator · 03-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by artsebella

I've recently bought several unmounted rubber stamps that have cling cushion attached to them. What is the best way to cut around the images? Kai scissors? Hot Knife? Do I need to cut in straight lines around the image or try to follow the curve?

Does anyone know of a blog that explains the best way to do this? Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks for helping this newbie out!

I use the SU Craft and rubber scissors, it's made specifically to cut rubber and get a clean edge. Be sure not to undercut.

Gina K. Designs · 03-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrappinforNate

I use a hot knife.. it cuts very close. It is very awkward at first since it is VERY hot but I've gotten used to it.. I have a "cutting" day and do all my sets- it is esp. helpful for already trimmed stamps that are not on ez mount.
However, I do use Kai scissors for others and as Chris said, be sure to hold it straight when you cut. If you hold it at an angle, the grey foam will be cut under the size of the stamp. I've read that the tim holtz scissors are better than Kai which means they'd rock. I need a new pair myself- my Kai scissors are pretty dull after hundreds of stamp sets being cut

Honestly, I never thought I would like anything better than Kai until I tried the Tim Holtz scissors. They are truly the best thing ever! Stampin' Up scissors, (made by Kai,) are wonderful, just like Kai but the Tim Holtz ones just grab the rubber and make cutting a breeze. The larger loops reduce the possibilities of getting blisters too. (You know, for when you order 200 sets at a time.

)

artsebella · 03-21-2009

Thanks for all the great info. I have the Tim Holtz scissors so, I will give that a try. Good advice on keeping the scissors straight and not at an angle.

I tried the hot knife before on rubber stamps that were pre-trimmed. I placed the trimmed stamp on the ez mount and used the hot knife to cut the ez mount. That worked great since the stamp acted as a guide. I started to try it on the untrimmed stamps that are already attached to ez mount and it wasn't as easy so, I figured I ask for advice.

I'm off to check out Gina K's video and then give trimming the stamps a whirl.

Thanks for all your help!

artsebella · 03-21-2009

Thanks Gina K! I just watched the video and cut out my first stamp on cling mount!

AngelEllie · 03-21-2009

Like a lot of people mentioned, I use my good ol' Kai scissors..I've had them for many years and they work great!

I just try to cut at straight angles and cut as closely as I can.

zemla123 · 03-26-2009

I have not used them yet but I could never invest in the stampin up scissors, but M's just started selling the Tim Holts ones and I used a 40%. It was great.

kphorse · 03-26-2009

Another fan of the Tim Holtz scissors here...They are by far, the best I have tried...Then, my Tonic are my next choice...

Aleska901 · 03-26-2009

Staying on topic but going off in another direction.. what do you do if you think you "undercut" or "overcut" the foam part? I know sometimes those iddy biddy stamps are hard to cut w/ a lot of foam left over.. how do you guys go about that? I always get sweaty while cutting those smaller guys out.

Tracy-Stamper · 03-27-2009

I have sheets of the EZ Mount cling foam so if I don't like how the foam is on a stamp I just peel the rubber off and redo it.

Tracy-Stamper · 03-27-2009

Thanks for the info on Tim Holtz scissors. I have the SU! ones (which I didn't even realize were made by Kai, thanks Gina) and they are ok. I find over time the screw comes loose and even if I tighten it, it only lasts a little while. I do cut a lot of stamps though! Another question I have is - how do you guys sharpen your scissors? I have two pairs and they are really dull now.