Help...brand new stamper trying to get a clear image in the middle of my stamps.: Techniques

jennashley · 03-29-2009

I just bought my first "middle" size stamp...bikababeabella. I've adhered it to a acrylic block and can't seem to get a clear stamping in the middle of the image. I tried placing in on a "soft" surface (15 piece of stacked paper), used an eraser to "clean" the surface, rocked it... I've even thought about stepping on it

Any help you can give me, I'd love it.

PMR · 03-29-2009

stand up and stamp it, it may help

jennashley · 03-29-2009

I'm going upstairs to try!

GreenDragonLady · 03-29-2009

You can try putting your cardstock on a mousepad too.

Bellas are naked rubber, right? If you really aren't getting a good impression you can buy mounting foam with sticky on one side that goes against the rubber (permanently) and vinyl cling on the other side to hold onto the block.

Good luck!

deipara · 03-29-2009

Are you stamping on a plastic folding table?

If so, find a solid surface (or a scrap piece of wood) to stamp on because plastic tables 'bounce' when you push on them.

That was my problem for a while.

jennashley · 03-29-2009

HOW DID YOU KNOW?

jennashley · 03-29-2009

Yes, It's a plastic table. You gals are amazing! It worked.... I stood up and use a wooden surface.

Hee hee, I'm off and running...gamasol here I come. My FIL sent some birthday money and I bought saddle bags for my Harley. I wanted to make a card with the bella image with some hand crafted paper saddle bags for a thank you card.

Thanks, thanks, thanks

KelliJo · 03-29-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennashley

I just bought my first "middle" size stamp...bikababeabella. I've adhered it to a acrylic block and can't seem to get a clear stamping in the middle of the image. I tried placing in on a "soft" surface (15 piece of stacked paper), used an eraser to "clean" the surface, rocked it... I've even thought about stepping on it

Any help you can give me, I'd love it.

LMAO!!!

hawk · 03-31-2009

I use a piece of countertop that they cut out to make room for the sink as my base to stamp on. I got it free as they just throw them away. It does not "give" or bow when you press on it. Also for larger stamps I use a wood block (like stamps are mounted on) on top of the stamp to get even pressure. I also use this block for my large flat punches. It distributes the pressure so I get a clean cut every time. It may be a bit more time consuming but in the long run it saves time by giving a clear image and clean punch every time.

jennashley · 03-31-2009

Thanks, that's a great idea.

palominoblu · 04-01-2009

I, too had that problem with my background stamps when it suddenly hit me: flip it. When the stamp is large, I keep it on the table (my stamp area in my apt is beside a large deep freezer- perfect height and space), inked side up and very careful place the paper over it, then gently rubbing (very softly!) all over the paper/stamp surface. Carefully peel it off straight up. It took a few times to get my image without getting the surroundings of extra ink, but this technique really works and shows details wonderfully. The one downside is the placement on paper, but I just use a larger sheet then cut it.
The Bella stamps aren't as large as the backgrounds I use this for, so you may not need to do all of this afterall.
Oh, long winded me- lol!

jennashley · 04-01-2009

thanks I"ll try that in the future with a larger stamp...I don't own any YET!!!

905lovestostamp · 04-01-2009

I'm no expert, but I've found that the addition of my brayer helps make a whole background stamp press evenly. I don't have the strength in my arms that others may have (due to a longterm MVA injury), and I find that this makes a huge difference for me. I place the stamp upright, ink it well, carefully place the paper on top, then take my brayer and carefully go over the entire area. Do be careful at the edges of the stamp, if you go over the edge, you could jiggle the paper (I hold onto it with one hand)--so be careful around those edges. I hope that this helps--I, too was having trouble with some of the middle parts of the stamp coming out as cleanly as others.

jennashley · 04-01-2009

Thanks! I think that will help with the "eveness" (is that really a word?) of the ink and image. Sorry to hear abour your accident... that must be hard to live with. It sounds like your tha kind of person that has found ways to over come it!! That's a hero in my book!

cevans1004 · 04-01-2009

i have an old cutting board that i adhered some of the foam sheets from a craft store onto it...it gives me a bit of a cushion and also is strong and stiff underneath...works for me

jennashley · 04-01-2009

I love that idea!! Thanks for sharing.

homestead · 04-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk

I use a piece of countertop that they cut out to make room for the sink as my base to stamp on. I got it free as they just throw them away. It does not "give" or bow when you press on it. Also for larger stamps I use a wood block (like stamps are mounted on) on top of the stamp to get even pressure. I also use this block for my large flat punches. It distributes the pressure so I get a clean cut every time. It may be a bit more time consuming but in the long run it saves time by giving a clear image and clean punch every time.

These pieces work great for homework for the kids that like to sit on their bed and work. I remember doing it when I was a teenager and now my children do it. To funny to see them using it because I've never told them that is what I use them for. My dad use to install countertops before he retired and made me a few. To add a bit of strength I have two pieces glued together. One has nail polish all over it!

1gr8lady · 04-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by palominoblu

I, too had that problem with my background stamps when it suddenly hit me: flip it. When the stamp is large, I keep it on the table (my stamp area in my apt is beside a large deep freezer- perfect height and space), inked side up and very careful place the paper over it, then gently rubbing (very softly!) all over the paper/stamp surface. Carefully peel it off straight up. It took a few times to get my image without getting the surroundings of extra ink, but this technique really works and shows details wonderfully. The one downside is the placement on paper, but I just use a larger sheet then cut it.
The Bella stamps aren't as large as the backgrounds I use this for, so you may not need to do all of this afterall.
Oh, long winded me- lol!

This is what my demo told me to do also.

cat_woman · 04-01-2009

I just bought a set of rock-a-blocks. I haven't had a chance to use them yet (been playing too much with digi stamps) but I heard that they work really well to get even images.

uncbballfan · 04-04-2009

My stamping surface is a Darice rubber stamp pad; it's 11" X 17", is 1/4" thick, and is very dense foam. It works wonderfully. Here's a link to what it looks like: http://cgi.ebay.com/Rubber-Stamp-Pad...ayphotohosting

barbdesigns · 04-05-2009

I find that I have trouble stamping back ground stamps or any larger detailed stamp and getting all of the image to come in clear. A friend told me her secret and I haven't had a problem since. I usually make sure my ink pad is freshy reinked or "juicy" as the girls at stamp camp say, then I place my stamp upside down after inking it and carefully place my paper on top of it. I am careful not to move the paper as I run my fingers over the entire image making sure the paper comes in contact with the entire stamp. I carefully remove the paper and view the entire stamped image- shaky table or not. This seems to work fo me.
Barbdesigns

patko · 04-11-2009

I also use my background stamp upside down. I use a small wood block to run over the paper, it works really well and comes out very even that way.

jennashley · 04-12-2009

thanks for the tip, I'll try it.

cat_woman · 04-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat_woman

I just bought a set of rock-a-blocks. I haven't had a chance to use them yet (been playing too much with digi stamps) but I heard that they work really well to get even images.

So I used my rock-a-blocks and they are fantastic for unmounted stamps. I was always able to get a pretty good image with just my clear blocks, but these make it effortless. I highly recommend them.