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I used to be a rubber stamp snob, but I'm beginning to discover the joy of Clear Stamps. My problem is ink. I use SU ink, but I find that my images aren't always clear. What am I doing wrong? Is there better ink that I could be using? I would hate to have to purchase all new inks just to use with my clear stamps. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
SU ink is not really the best to use for polymer stamps. I've had good success with Palette, Memento and chalk inks.
You could try inking the image with clear versamark, then onto your ink pad...
Thanks for the reply, Nancy I just tried the versamark, and I didn't notice too much of a difference. (sigh) Looks like my pocket book is going to become a little lighter.
I have always used my SU classic inks successfully with acrylic stamps. Have you tried conditioning your acrylic stamps with an eraser or stamping with some cushion(mouse pad, foam, etc.) underneath your paper? I would give that a try before investing in new ink. If you do need to move forward with new ink, then I recommend Palette or Memento. I hope this is helpful.
some clear stamps need to be "seasoned" in order to stamp well.
just ink it up with any color ink, then stamp off onto scrap paper several times til the image is very light, then re-ink and do again. do this a few times then clean the stamp, and you should be good to go!
you can also scrub with a used soft toothbrush.
there seems to be a coating of some sort on the clear that makes them stubborn to stamp well at first! might be whatever it is that is needed for them to be released from the machines they are made on.....
__________________ HollyHock, she who runs in scalloped circles.........
I really don't like clear stamps, mostly because I've bought so many that I had problems with (not stamping the whole image, part of the design missing).
For stamping, I read a good tip on Tim Hotlz's blog last week: stamp with permanent ink and let dry. Then use any ink on them. It won't damage the stamp, and will help after to stamp with more fluid inks like Distress or SU!.
I spent a lot of money on clear stamps and was so disappointed in how they inked (SU ink pads), until I starting researching them on the internet.
I took a regular pencil with a soft pink eraser and gently (erased) all over the raised parts of the stamp. Then I very gently dipped them in warm soapy water, rinsed and air dried overnight.
I couldn't believe it the next day when I stamped with them. They made a perfect impression.
But I took a chance and "conditioned" them like they said because I figured why not. If I ruined them, so what, I wasn't happy with them anyway, right??
I gave clear stamps a bad rap as I didnt have a good experience with them. I was hesitant but did buy a few PTI stamps last month. LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I've used Memento & SU inks with no issues whatsoever. I did condition the stamps as well: rubbed with eraser, used stamp cleaner, patted dry, and inked away. Clear images, no problems. Have my PTI wishlist ready for next month and also willing to try Gina K & Verve stamps as I've heard they are of reputable quality as well.
Not all clear stamps are created equal. I bought a lot of the dollar stamp sets, and I don't like most of them. No matter what I do, I can't get an image that isn't fuzzy. Now, CTMH and some of the other better companies manufacture excellent clear stamps. I will never again buy the cheap ones. Also, I find that pigment inks work best with the clear stamps, and SU inks don't work well at all. Happy stamping!
Not all clear stamps are created equal. I bought a lot of the dollar stamp sets, and I don't like most of them. No matter what I do, I can't get an image that isn't fuzzy. Now, CTMH and some of the other better companies manufacture excellent clear stamps. I will never again buy the cheap ones. Also, I find that pigment inks work best with the clear stamps, and SU inks don't work well at all. Happy stamping!
Like somebody said, not all clear stamps are created equal. The earlier $ stamps that I bought gave me issue with the design not coming out clearly but it is quite possible that is operator error. I would just pull the stamps out and start using them, once I started cleaning them before I used them AND used a foam mat underneath, I didn't have any more problems.
Another trick that I've been told and have done is to lightly sand the surface of solid image stamps, even if it was a rubber stamp. There seems to be a slickness to the surface sometimes that keeps a stamp from getting the ink on there well. For the most part, I'm using SU's ink and every now and then I use CTMH so I wouldn't say that you need to buy special ink for the clear stamps.
I bough a full set of Memento Dew Drops to use with my clear stamps. The ink is the absolute best and I get crisp clear images. I will soon be investing in the full size pads and reinkers because I find I am using Memento inks most of the time.
I have also had good results with Hero Arts Shadow Inks and Chalk Inks.
Thanks to all so much for all their advise and help! Everything is all clear as mud! hahaa...no worries though, I did find the eraser helped with some of my stamps, and I found a stash of a few pigment inks in my stuff, so I think I may be buying a few pigment inks when I have to use them. I can't wait till I can build up more savings for my first order with PTI. Now another question. What about a good paper cutter. What is your favourite? I still have my $15 fiskars, and I bought a MM's for $50. I don't find that it cuts my paper straight....SO dissapointed, so I've been using my cheap fiskars one but it's worn out and I don't know if I should buy another one or go with a completely different one.
Rubber stamps VS. Clear
