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Wanted to share something I learned last night for those going "unmounted" with SU stamps. I just started stamping and couldn't bear the thought of all those wood blocks and the space they take up.... so, I came up with this idea for new, uncut, unmounted SU stamps. Maybe this will be helpful to others.
When I get my new SU stamps, I peel off the backing, and place the sticky side on white paper. I cut the stamp out of the paper and place the sticker that would normally go on the wood block on top of the white paper so I know what stamp is what. (Yes, the alignment is tricky, I won't lie, and some have come out better than others). Then I cut the excess rubber away from the stamp, like normal. I stamp using acrylic blocks and a piece of cling vinyl ON THE ACRYLIC BLOCK to hold the stamp in place.
This way, I have the storage advantage of no wood blocks, and my stamps aren't sticking to whatever I'm keeping them in b/c the vinyl is on the block, not the stamp.
Some people store the stamps in a CD case or a 3-ring binder. Neither appealed to me. Here is what I do:
I keep the box that my SU stamps have come in (it's usually a medium or large size box) and I ususally can fit three sets in "layers". The bottom layer is one set, then I take some old cardboard and make a divider, layer two goes there, then another divider, than the third layer on top.
I use the clear stamp set title stickers on the outside of the box- on the left hand side is the title for the bottom layer, in the middle (where the box opens facing you) goes the title for the middle layer, and on the right side goes the title for the top layer.
Scroll about 3/4 of the way down and you'll see static cling vinyl for $.79 per 8.5 x 11 inch sheet. I ordered 5 thinking I had to use it on my stamps- but I covered all my blocks with just one sheet. (I only have 3 blocks).
Rachael, I don't get it either. I also don't get what keeps the stamps in the storage box from sliding around. I understand the cardboard keeps the sets from mixing. Not sure I would want to dig through 3 sets at a time to get to one stamp.
This technique is appealing to me....just a couple of questions...
How are the stamps clingy if you stick them to paper? Where do you put the labels? I am slow this morning....
The stamps aren't sticky. That's kinda the allure for me, actually. The reason they stick is because you place the image sticker (which is plastic) on top of the white paper. Then cut the stamp. It sticks b/c the plastic sticker sticks to the cling vinyl.
As for sliding around in the storage case, it depends on what size box you use. I pretty much use a box that accomodates the stamp set without a lot of extra space. The cardboard prevents the sets from mixing, yes, and I just lift out the layers to get to the stamp I want. For me it's not a big deal, for others it might be. Also, too, if you plan it right, you can group your stamps into "season" or what ever catagories you choose, much like you could do using CD cases or a 3-ring binder.
My biggest thrill was not having sticky stamp tops. Not so much what method we choose to store the stamps-- to each their own with that-- because we all have our unique ways of staying organized!
I stamp using acrylic blocks and a piece of cling vinyl ON THE ACRYLIC BLOCK to hold the stamp in place.
I don't get this... What is on the sticky side of the foam? Or don't you remove it? If the cling is on the block, how do you get the stamp to stick to it?
What do you do with all the wood blocks???
I too would like to see what you did... Do you have a Scanner?
I give the wood blocks to a guy at work that is a woodworker.
Yes, I do have a scanner- hmm, I'll play with that this weekend and see what I come up with... SCS is "down" and my home internet connection is molasses.... so I'll try to get something up on Monday.
ETA: Sorry, I got my sites confused!! It's another site that is "down" this weekend! A-DUH! The blonde comes out sometimes!! :rolleyes:
I don't get this... What is on the sticky side of the foam? Or don't you remove it? If the cling is on the block, how do you get the stamp to stick to it?
Sorry.... I just don't get it.
When you get your SU stamps new, they already have the foam attached. The technique I suggest works best for new, unmounted stamps. It's not for stamps you are taking off the wood blocks. (or at least I've only tried this with new, UM stamps).
Anyway, when you get your new stamps, there is a brown paper covering the sticky part, right? Well, I peel that off and stick the uncut stamp on a piece of white paper (usually computer printer paper). I then cut the entire stamp out from the white paper (I don't cut the rubber yet). Then, I take the sticker that you would normally put on the block and adhere it to the white paper- yes, this is a little tricky. After I do that, THEN I cut the excess rubber off the stamp. Now you have a stamp that, rubber side down, has a white top with the black image sticker facing you. You can ID the stamp by the sticker, and I use white paper to improve visability (since you can't see thu the rubber anyway).
Your stamp (rubber side down) would consist of the following "layers":
top:image sticker
white paper
SU foam that came on the stamp
bottom:rubber image
The reason the stamp sticks to the acrylic block with the cling vinyl is because the image sticker that normally goes on the wood block is plastic--- there for it "sticks" to the cling vinyl.
In light of not having scanned pics yet, I hope this helps! :rolleyes:
ETA: Sorry, I got my sites confused!! It's another site that is "down" this weekend! A-DUH! The blonde comes out sometimes!! :rolleyes:
Oh! Feeling a little blonde myself, but that makes so much sense! I've got quite a few stamps to mount and I was debating the mounted/unmounted thing...I may just have to try this!
Thanks!
Kate
I like the idea of indexing, especially for word stamps, and sets that have similar looking stamps- I can never figure out which way is up, or that I'm choosing the stamp I want.
The white paper is only for added visibility to see the index, right? is your cling vinyl clear too? I've only have colored vinyl, so I wouldnt be able to see through my clear block to check the position when stamping. This sortof defeats one of the benefits of having a clear block.
You've got me thinking about this indexing idea, so I'm just thinking aloud here...
Maybe a different idea could be to stamp the image on the vinyl with Stazon ink prior to adhering it to the stamp? Do you think this would work? Opinions please- or is this not a new idea?
Sounds like a good idea. I'll have to try it with my next set of stamps. I like having one set in the CD cases because they are so portable. But with the foam you can't have as many stamps in one case. Hmmm... I'll have to think about how to store them.
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Ahhhh, this is very interesting! How clever of you! Such a thing would only cause me to buy more stamps because I would have more storage room, so I will resist the temptation, as I really don't need more stamps - lol. However, I have several friends who like the SU! stamps but want the unmounted for the storage capabilities, so they'll be thrilled to hear of your idea! TFS!
__________________ Donna - Check out my blog: www.stampingwithdonna.com In the news today: Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.
this sounds like a good idea....i will give it a try....I like the unmounted stamps and have put some of my SU sets on the vinyl....I like the concept of putting the sticker on the back....I have been using the sticker sheet for reference....worth a try....thanks!!!
The white paper is only for added visibility to see the index, right? is your cling vinyl clear too? I've only have colored vinyl, so I wouldnt be able to see through my clear block to check the position when stamping. This sortof defeats one of the benefits of having a clear block.
You've got me thinking about this indexing idea, so I'm just thinking aloud here...
Maybe a different idea could be to stamp the image on the vinyl with Stazon ink prior to adhering it to the stamp? Do you think this would work? Opinions please- or is this not a new idea?
Hi!
Yes, I just use white paper for image sticker visability. And the cling vinyl is clear. I posted a link to vegasstamps that has clear vinyl. I only needed one sheet b/c I only have 3 blocks. LOL.
I've heard of people using stazon to stamp an image on the vinyl prior to adhering to the stamp. Since I don't adhere the vinly to the stamp, it's not something I would do, however, if you were unmounting stamps and didn't have an image sticker (b/c you put it on the wood block) I could see where imaging the stamp on the cling vinyl prior to adhering to the stamp may be a good idea! I would probably try to adhere some white paper to the back of the stamp prior to adhering the stamped cling vinyl. JMHO.
We were moving out of state and DH said I had to do something with the 300 stamp sets...so I thought I'd condense this way. Now we are not moving; but
still like the idea.
I am using the CD cases...the best price around town for me is KMRT 20 cases for $2.98 or $3.18 depending on which town I end up in!
My DS8 is into wood carving so he's using most of the wood blocks. The larger sizes make good building blocks for toddlers.
My sister and I have split an order of CD cases from Polylinecorp. I've already gone through my half. I convert all my clear stamps to CD cases as well (except CTMH).
That, I think, was the most clear explanation...I have never heard of this before and it is very interesting to me. I am scared to try it...seems like such a waste with all the wood blocks, but on the other hand, storage for all my stamps is ridiculous. Thanks for the illuminating description.
That, I think, was the most clear explanation...I have never heard of this before and it is very interesting to me. I am scared to try it...seems like such a waste with all the wood blocks, but on the other hand, storage for all my stamps is ridiculous. Thanks for the illuminating description.
If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to drop me a line.
When you get your SU stamps new, they already have the foam attached. The technique I suggest works best for new, unmounted stamps. It's not for stamps you are taking off the wood blocks. (or at least I've only tried this with new, UM stamps).
Anyway, when you get your new stamps, there is a brown paper covering the sticky part, right? Well, I peel that off and stick the uncut stamp on a piece of white paper (usually computer printer paper). I then cut the entire stamp out from the white paper (I don't cut the rubber yet). Then, I take the sticker that you would normally put on the block and adhere it to the white paper- yes, this is a little tricky. After I do that, THEN I cut the excess rubber off the stamp. Now you have a stamp that, rubber side down, has a white top with the black image sticker facing you. You can ID the stamp by the sticker, and I use white paper to improve visability (since you can't see thu the rubber anyway).
Your stamp (rubber side down) would consist of the following "layers":
top:image sticker
white paper
SU foam that came on the stamp
bottom:rubber image
The reason the stamp sticks to the acrylic block with the cling vinyl is because the image sticker that normally goes on the wood block is plastic--- there for it "sticks" to the cling vinyl.
In light of not having scanned pics yet, I hope this helps! :rolleyes:
ETA: Sorry, I got my sites confused!! It's another site that is "down" this weekend! A-DUH! The blonde comes out sometimes!! :rolleyes:
Eureka!!!
I've got it now. Sorry, I've been reading along. This description was perfect.
so the cling stuff just stays on your acrylic blocks the whole time?
I typically do keep it on the blocks. When I stack the blocks in the container, the cling vinyl prevents them from sliding off one another, too.
If ever I am stamping and I find that the stamp is not "sticking" to the cling vinyl as well as I would like, I simply peel the cling vinyl off the block and stick it back down again. I think that generates enough "static" to recharge the cling.
Should your cling, block or top of stamp become oily from fingers or cleaning solvent, I would just wipe the block with a little windex or soap and water (I'm sure you can wash the cling vinyl, too) and I'd probably swipe the top of the stamp sticker with a paper towel already with a drop of windex or the like, just to remove finger oils. I wouldn't wash the stamp, because I wouldn't want the sticker and paper to lose it's stickyness by being submerged in water.
This is such a neat idea! I am definitely going to try a set I just bought, just need to order the cling. I have several questions:
-How well do the stamps stick to the cling? Do they move around any when you stamp? I'm wondering if sending the stickers through a laminator will help with the adhesion or if the plastic sticker is sturdy enough on its own.
-Can you use a little bit of alcohol on a swab to clean the cling or sticker if the oils interfere?
-Does anyone have ideas on how to do this with "used" stamps? I'm thinking about stamping the image on paper, laminating the paper, and then gluing on the foam part of the stamp. Has anyone tried this?
-I think an idea for storing the stamps in a CD case is to cut some vinyl cling to fit in the CD case. It wouldn't even have to be an entire square, just enough for each stamp to fit on. Do you think this would work? Or, would they come off over time?
As you can tell, I'm very intrigued by your awesome idea! I hate the sticky factor of using my SU stamps unmounted. Maybe this system will inspire me to use them more!
You don't need vinyl cling in the case as the stamps stick directly to the case as they do to a block. I have been told not to use anything on the stamps or blocks other than water and a teensy amount of hand soap. Actually, I rarely have a stamp lose cling and in those cases I have handled it too much and it has picked up skin oils or I have left it lying in glitter or EP. I have never had a stamp not regain cling once it and the block have been cleaned. Also, even this rarely happens. I maybe have this issue once every couple of months with a heavily used stamp. Rare!
I was also told that using Windex once or twice over a long period of time probably would not hurt the block but NOT to use it all the time. I believe this might be true for the stamp too. I do know that the strong cleaners like the Stazon Cleaner ruin both quickly.
This is such a neat idea! I am definitely going to try a set I just bought, just need to order the cling. I have several questions:
-How well do the stamps stick to the cling? Do they move around any when you stamp? I'm wondering if sending the stickers through a laminator will help with the adhesion or if the plastic sticker is sturdy enough on its own.
-Can you use a little bit of alcohol on a swab to clean the cling or sticker if the oils interfere?
-Does anyone have ideas on how to do this with "used" stamps? I'm thinking about stamping the image on paper, laminating the paper, and then gluing on the foam part of the stamp. Has anyone tried this?
-I think an idea for storing the stamps in a CD case is to cut some vinyl cling to fit in the CD case. It wouldn't even have to be an entire square, just enough for each stamp to fit on. Do you think this would work? Or, would they come off over time?
As you can tell, I'm very intrigued by your awesome idea! I hate the sticky factor of using my SU stamps unmounted. Maybe this system will inspire me to use them more!
I find that the stamps stick very well to the cling. I have placed a stamp on the block and given it a good shake really trying to get it to fall off the block- no such luck! I have stamped and they don't fall off. I have not scrubbed a stamp on the block yet (I know, bad form there-- but I'm waiting to purchase the stamin scrub with my next su purchase) but I have wiped down my stamps to clean them while on the block and they did not move until I pried them off (which was not hard to do, but what I'm saying is that I have found that they do stick really, really well).
I wouldn't use alcohol because I don't know how the image will hold up over time. Might fade the image on the sticker or damage the sticker. Like another poster said, too, cleaning the block regains stickyness and even that event is pretty rare....
If you have used stamps and you unmount them, if the foam backing comes off, you might want to try EZ mount foam (foam on one side, cling on the other). If the foam is intact, I would probably make the foam tacky (or use the residual "glue" from when it was on the block if it's sticky enough) and place the stamp on white paper (for visability). I would then try to create an image sticker by either stamping the image with Stazon on the cling viny or what you suggested with the laminating. I haven't done this yet, though, so I cannot vouch for the effectiveness.
I, too, don't think you would need cling vinyl in the CD case.
This is a great idea. I keep going back and forth on mounting and unmounting and just have stuck with doing what the instructions say because I can't make up my mind. But I like this idea a lot. Putting the cling on the acrylic blocks is a great idea. And when you thought of it, did you smack your head and say "geeze why didn't I think of this earlier??!!" Its just weird when your head starts thinking differently and things become easier. I have a set at home that I mounted on a cling sheet but I did it wrong and have to do it over so I will try this. I do have my unmounted TAC stamps in the CD cases and I love that storage system. Found that out here too. And if I didn't have to buy any CD cases. I was talking about it at home, boring the heck out of my daughter, and she left the room, went to her room and came back with a ton of empty CD cases. She doesn't keep them in there, she has an album or something that she brings with her. Plus all of her old CDs that she didn't want any more I could use the case and the CD for those CD scrapbooks (which the kids just love by the way). So if you have kids or any computer geeks in the family or at work, you can probably score cases and old used CDs from them before buying any.
And when you thought of it, did you smack your head and say "geeze why didn't I think of this earlier??!!"
Mary
Why, yes I did. I danced around the apartment and showed my DBF what I had done. He, of course, had the "duh" look, since he doesn't stamp and couldn't relate... but he was happy for me for being so pleased with myself.
Yes, I did the happy snoopy dance, called myself a "genius", then came back down to reality and felt compelled to log onto SCS first thing the next morning to share my experience.
I'm glad stampers find this useful, and I'm glad I could find the words to explain it so that others could benefit.
SU stamps, acrylic blocks and cling vinyl
What about the wood?
Thank you LuckyGirl
