SU! Polymer Stamps - Are They Supposed to Be Super Sticky?

[cbet]

I'll admit that I am biased toward rubber stamps and will choose those whenever possible, but some images are only available in clear stamps. I've got some cheaper ones (like InkaDinkaDoo) and some from Stampin Up. The ones from Stampin Up stamp better, but holy buckets are those things sticky! Most of the time, they pull the whole piece of cardstock back up with them if I don't hold it down tight. Is this the deal with all the photopolymer stamps that are the better quality?

This happens whether I use mine or the ones at my demo's events, and it doesn't seem to matter which ink I use. Has anyone else noticed this, and is there anything I can do to calm down a little of the sticky? I mean, sticky is good when it keeps the stamp on the block, but not so much when it sticks where you don't want it to. At one of my demo's classes, there were a couple of the clear stamps on blocks stacked in a basket for a project, and the stack stuck together so tightly that we had a hard time pulling them apart to use them!

[UnderstandBlue]

Yes - they get less sticky with use! you can also wash them with soap and water at any time, but they will get "seasoned" with ink. If you want to speed it up just ink a bunch of times in Versamark

[cbet]

Ahh, Versamark! I should have thought of that! I've used them a few times with regular ink (both SU and Memento). Soap and water seemed to make them even stickier. Thanks for the advice

[NerdyBeth]

I always rub a white, artist eraser (not sure of real name, just not a cheapy, pink rubber kind my kid use in school), over all of my clear stamps before I use them for the first time. I think it helps to get rid of any stickiness or residue left over from the manufacturing process. They seem to ink up better and give a better image.

[Crafter 4 Life]

What's so frustrating about SU stamps is the clear mount don't stick good enough and the polymer really STICK! It is hard to get the polymer to 'let go'. I have a MISTI so I line up my SU polymer stamp for a two-step image or sentiment but when I move my finger, the stamp sticks to my fingernail/toothpick/almost anything. I washed the polymer 'Watercolor Wings' set but it is still super clingy. Any other suggestions besides use it more?

[Joan B]

I am puzzled as I never do anything to my clear stamps, including SU's and they stamp beautifully. I wonder if you should just stamp a bunch of times on scrap paper or if you should use less pressure?? In any event, hope you find a solution!!

[cbet]

Well, I was watching a video with someone using some photopolymer stamps from Altenew, and it looked like they were pretty sticky, too. So now I know it's not just SU

Since I don't have very many right now (like I said, I'd rather use red rubber), I'm going to get busy with some Versamark and scrap paper and see if that helps.

[Allistamps123]

I've had good luck with all my SU photopolymer stamps too.

[lovetostamp3]

Many years ago, it was only rubber. Now I've gotten used to the exact placement of clear stamps, and they have become my preference. If I have a choice, I now choose clear; maybe it's an age thing, since I'm getting older and can see right where I want to stamp too??!!!! I don't know......