blotchy clear stamp image?

[Jaclyn Elisha]

I purchase my first set of clear stamps from Michael's last week. My stamp image come out blotchy. Is it because I used SU ink? Do I have to buy special ink for clear stamps?
I would like to purchase clear stamps from Close to My Heart, will SU ink work on those stamps?
Please help and tell me what I am doing wrong.
Thank you
Merry Christmas

[stigmom6]

Try rubbing a pink eraser over the stamp then clean on your scrub pad and then ink and stamp. Sometimes clear stamps just have to be "primed". Also what type of paper/cs are you using?

[slane2]

Another trick that works well is to use the fine-grit side of a sanding block to lightly sand the surface of your clear stamp. If there is some unevenness causing the blotchy image, this will smooth everything out.

If you're using highly textured cardstock, this might be part of the problem as well.

I have a $5 stamping mat from See D's that makes a big difference in stamped images. It provides the right amount of pressure to make a nice clear, crisp image.

[Tipsygirl]

or lightly sand them with an emery board.
directions in this blog post Blogs at Splitcoaststampers

she talks about Justrite Stampers, but it also applies to your clear stamps.

[elizgmom]

I have this problem with the cheaper clear stamps too. I found using an inexpensive foam placement (available at the Dollar store or Walmart) can help get better images.

[buggainok]

The previous tips are helpful, but I have found the best solution to getting a good image with any brand/price of clear stamps is the kind of ink you use.

A good pigment ink works well with clear stamps. For a true black, you can get Versafine Onyx at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. It is the best I have found for stamping sharp images with clear stamps. I like it so well I use it with my red rubber stamps too.

If you want color, the Cats Eye pigment inks and Color Box inks are also pigment inks and work well.

[sillyfilly]

Prepping your clear stamps as some of the ladies have said is key to a good image. In my experience SU ink does not work well with clear stamps. I love SU ink but have a lot of CTMH ink for the clear stamps. Don't get discouraged, you just need the right tools for the job. Happy stamping.

[mastamper]

I am able to use my SU inks with the high quality clear stamps (photopolymer). But if I want to use the SU inks with the cheaper clear stamps, I find it helps if I ink the stamp with Versamark first and then my SU ink before stamping. Otherwise, I use the SU craft inks (which are pigment inks) or one of the chalk inks.

[fastmommie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaclyn Elisha

I purchase my first set of clear stamps from Michael's last week. My stamp image come out blotchy. Is it because I used SU ink? Do I have to buy special ink for clear stamps?
I would like to purchase clear stamps from Close to My Heart, will SU ink work on those stamps?
Please help and tell me what I am doing wrong.
Thank you
Merry Christmas

Another thought on why your image was blotchy.... you may have pressed down too hard.
When I'm using rubber stamps, I tend to really press the block to get a good image. When using clear stamps, use some flexable material under your paper (like fun foam, or a mouse pad) and do NOT press quite as firmly.

Close To My Heart clear stamps can be used with SU inks... some people do so often. I do not have any SU inks, so I don't have any experience with it.
I use my CTMH inks, which were formulated for the clear stamps. However, I can not use CTMH ink on clear Inkadinkado stamps, as the ink beads up.

Good Luck, and enjoy your new clear stamps!

[blueslady]

wow...these are very helpful suggestions! Thanks for sharing.