Will Stazon Ink ruin rubber stamps?

[Gina K. Designs]

I've had a couple of emails today regarding Stazon Ink and rubber stamps. (Weird, huh?) I am a big fan of Stazon ink, especially for non-porous items and anytime I use watercolors.

So, Will Stazon Ink ruin your rubber stamps?

The answer is no.

In fact, It's pretty darn hard to find anything that will ruin a rubber stamp. Rubber is SO unbelievably durable and it's why rubber is the choice for Gina K. Designs stamp sets. Being a lover of stamping techniques, I've swished my rubber stamps through bleach, hot melted embossing powder, and all kind of solvent based inks and stamp cleaners.

Here is a visual for you.

In photo one, I was digging through a box of stamps and found this one that had Stazon ink CAKED on for over 6 months. It was dried to a crisp and hard as a rock.



All I did was grab a little Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner and spray it on my cleaning pad. Then, I place the stamp on top, rubber side down and let it sit for a few minutes for the Ultra Clean to break down the ink.



Then, scrubbed and dried the stamp and here are the results.



If you are at all worried about stamp cleaner, just wash it with warm soapy water. (I NEVER do that and have NEVER had a problem.)

That is the magic of delicious red rubber! You can't kill it. LOL!

So, I am not sure why I got several emails all at once today about this but I wanted to clear up ANY misconception regarding Stazon, Ultra Clean and Rubber.

Go ahead and beat them up! You can't kill a rubber stamp. ;)

Hugs,
Gina K.

[UnderstandBlue]

I think I heard angels singing the first time I used it!!!

Truly a stamping miracle. I love these photos. It's like an infomercial except it's real

Tfs.

[Gina K. Designs]

I know! LOL! And it is real!

[starbucks_stamper]

Love that cleaner! Glad I am not the only one with caked on stamps, lol!

[antiquestamper]

I think I know why you have suddenly been hearing this question, Gina. Another well-known stamp store owner/manufacturer posted on another thread in General Stamping Talk that Staz-On ink and Staz-On cleaner will eventually dissolve your photopolymer AND rubber stamps so they don't recommend it.

I was surprised to hear this. IF this is true then it surely must take some time for this to happen because I have old PSX stamps that I haven't touched since the 90's that still have Staz-On caked on them. I cleaned up a couple after reading that post and they stamp just like new. Weird. I've never, ever heard of Staz-On being a problem with red rubber until that post.

Christine

[RHS]

I have sensitivity to some smells - does this stamp cleaner have any fragrance? Stazon & alcohol inks need to be used with caution in my case.

[JulieHRR]

There are only 2 things I've ever heard of that will break down rubber:

• Sunlight (as in, storing them in direct sunlight)
• Oil (as in petroleum based oil, vaseline, etc.)

As for clear photopolymer stamps, I've never heard of Staz-On Ink deteriorating them, but I recall hearing that Staz-On CLEANER will break down the clear stamp.

After I read that somewhere, I decided I wasn't gonna experiment on any of my clear stamps to see if it was true. :p

[Gina K. Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antiquestamper

I think I know why you have suddenly been hearing this question, Gina. Another well-known stamp store owner/manufacturer posted on another thread in General Stamping Talk that Staz-On ink and Staz-On cleaner will eventually dissolve your photopolymer AND rubber stamps so they don't recommend it.

I was surprised to hear this. IF this is true then it surely must take some time for this to happen because I have old PSX stamps that I haven't touched since the 90's that still have Staz-On caked on them. I cleaned up a couple after reading that post and they stamp just like new. Weird. I've never, ever heard of Staz-On being a problem with red rubber until that post.

Christine

Oh! That explains it! LOL!

I would think if Stazon dissolved rubber stamps, Tsukineko would have pulled it off the market by now. They are a very reputable company with top notch products. I don't know anything about clear stamps so maybe that's what they meant. But no ink pads on the market will hurt rubber stamps.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

I have sensitivity to some smells - does this stamp cleaner have any fragrance? Stazon & alcohol inks need to be used with caution in my case.

If you're referring to Ultra Clean, it does have a mild odor. People often remark that it has an "industrial" type scent (?). But, it does not have "fumes".

I love Ultra Clean--it is the best stamp cleaner I've ever found. But, I use it to remove stubborn or caked on inks. Otherwise, I often use baby wipes or a simply a wet wash cloth.

[Gina K. Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

I have sensitivity to some smells - does this stamp cleaner have any fragrance? Stazon & alcohol inks need to be used with caution in my case.

Yes, it does have a smell. :(

[Gina K. Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

If you're referring to Ultra Clean, it does have a mild odor. People often remark that it has an "industrial" type scent (?). But, it does not have "fumes".

I love Ultra Clean--it is the best stamp cleaner I've ever found. But, I use it to remove stubborn or caked on inks. Otherwise, I often use baby wipes or a simply a wet wash cloth.

Oops! Your explanation was much nicer!

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina K. Designs

Oops! Your explanation was much nicer!

LOL!

So funny! "Smells" are such a subjective thing--I love the smell of Staz-On ink (smells like almond extract to me!) and other peeps look at me in horror.

*chuckle*

[starbucks_stamper]

<----(trots off to sniff her her Staz On) You are right, it does smell like almonds! I never could place it... mystery solved, lol!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

LOL!

So funny! "Smells" are such a subjective thing--I love the smell of Staz-On ink (smells like almond extract to me!) and other peeps look at me in horror.

*chuckle*

[Karenwhite]

Hey, I have never had problem with Stazon cleaner, or Stazon inks, either. I have been using it for all the five years I have been stamping, just as much as the regular Stamp Cleaner and all of my stamps are clean, except once I changed to SU! stamp cleaner, and some of my acrylic stamps are still stained as it did not clean off properly. I no longer use that cleaner. I use a scrub pad and I am really happy with my stamp cleaning routine now.

I am pretty fastidious about cleaning my stamps right after I use them.

[NYstamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina K. Designs

I know! LOL! And it is real!

I can testify to that! I found one of my sets that sat for probably a year...used ultra clean and it looks brand new! Best stuff on the market.

[RHS]

Do the ingredients (not sure if it's oil or what that's in them) bother the inking ability after having been cleaned with them? I was thinking that maybe the inks wouldn't "grab" as well. Probably not making any sense to anyone but myself but hope someone can decipher what I'm trying to ask - lol.

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

LOL!

So funny! "Smells" are such a subjective thing--I love the smell of Staz-On ink (smells like almond extract to me!) and other peeps look at me in horror.

*chuckle*

This cracks me up - I LOVE that almond smell too!! I don't use permanent ink very often, but I do like a good whiff of Stazon every now and then

[kikikaren]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

As for clear photopolymer stamps, I've never heard of Staz-On Ink deteriorating them, but I recall hearing that Staz-On CLEANER will break down the clear stamp.

It actually will kill your clear stamps if you leave it on there for a period of time. Such as when I left Stazon Black on some CTMH stamps for about a year. I think theirs are photopolymer. I'd used the stamps to stamp a return address on my wedding invites and put them away (still on the block) without cleaning. I know, bad stamper! A year later, they were brittle and fell apart when I tried to remove them from the block. However, I've used Stazon many times with other photopolymer stamps with no issues. I've even used Stazon cleaner on them, without issue, though I always rinse them with water after just in case.

Thanks Gina for the tutorial on cleaning. I love that you included pictures!

[StampyCrafty]

so, are baby wipes harmful to rubber stamps?

i know some people who have been stamping for 20 years and still use some of their old stamps all the time. what did they use before someone came up with special cleaner just for stamps? probably soap and water.

i use cheap baby wipes because i dont like that ugly stamp cleaning pad. will i ruin my stamps (clear and rubber) over time?

[NYstamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

Do the ingredients (not sure if it's oil or what that's in them) bother the inking ability after having been cleaned with them? I was thinking that maybe the inks wouldn't "grab" as well. Probably not making any sense to anyone but myself but hope someone can decipher what I'm trying to ask - lol.

I haven't had a problem, but I also tend to clean it with a baby wipe or my SU spray after.

[Tashak]

Thanks for the photos using ultra clean. I've been using the Staz-On cleaner but it doesn't get everything off, I'm going to switch!

[Gina K. Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

Do the ingredients (not sure if it's oil or what that's in them) bother the inking ability after having been cleaned with them? I was thinking that maybe the inks wouldn't "grab" as well. Probably not making any sense to anyone but myself but hope someone can decipher what I'm trying to ask - lol.

Ultra Clean can leave a bit of an oily-looking residue if you don't really rub it off on the dry side of your cleaning pad or wipe it with a baby wipe, old wash cloth or old towel after you've cleaned the stamp. That being said, I don't always do that and the Ultra Clean hasn't broken down the rubber at all.

Interesting info about clear stamps and the Stazon ruining them. But you can rest assured that that wouldn't happen to rubber stamps. I found an old box of rubber stamps that my grandfather left after he passed away. They must have had ink on them for 50 years! They were so hard and crusty. Ultra Clean cleaned them up like new. (So now I have some nice old business stamps that I probably will never use but it's fun have that piece of the past.)

[RHS]

Sorry, I was referring to the baby wipes when asking if they leave an oily residue. Not knowing what the ingredients are, I just figured the baby wipes must have some softener to make the baby's bottom not chaffe.

[Cook22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

Sorry, I was referring to the baby wipes when asking if they leave an oily residue. Not knowing what the ingredients are, I just figured the baby wipes must have some softener to make the baby's bottom not chaffe.

Baby wipes don't leave an oily residue. Sometimes when they are fresher they have more moisture, and in that case I usually wipe the stamp over a dry scrubbing pad. But from everything I've read it's important to use alcohol-free wipes.
Love the smell of StazOn, and yes it is almond for sure. DH hates it and always comments if I use it when he's around.
Hate the smell of Ultra-Clean - and the oily feel, yuck - but it's certainly the biz for any stamps needing a bit of extra TLC.

[luckygal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHS

Sorry, I was referring to the baby wipes when asking if they leave an oily residue. Not knowing what the ingredients are, I just figured the baby wipes must have some softener to make the baby's bottom not chaffe.

I was at a stamp show a few years ago, and while watching a demo, someone asked if baby wipes were okay to clean stamps. The person doing the demo stated that baby wipes leave a residue on rubber stamps that will eventually impact the ability of the stamp to hold ink well. I promptly stopped using baby wipes to clean my stamps, but never did any further research to the credibility of this claim. The person making that claim was the owner of a well known stamp company....just wish I could remember the person's name and which company.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina K. Designs

Ultra Clean can leave a bit of an oily-looking residue if you don't really rub it off on the dry side of your cleaning pad or wipe it with a baby wipe, old wash cloth or old towel after you've cleaned the stamp. That being said, I don't always do that and the Ultra Clean hasn't broken down the rubber at all.

Interesting info about clear stamps and the Stazon ruining them. But you can rest assured that that wouldn't happen to rubber stamps. I found an old box of rubber stamps that my grandfather left after he passed away. They must have had ink on them for 50 years! They were so hard and crusty. Ultra Clean cleaned them up like new. (So now I have some nice old business stamps that I probably will never use but it's fun have that piece of the past.)

I asked the folks at Stewart Superior if there was any oil content in the cleaner, and they told me no.

I think the residue is actually glycerin. This is just an educated guess on my part. ;) I could be totally wrong, of course! They weren't going to reveal, naturally, precisely what is in their top secret formula, but glycerin is a lubricant and does help keep the rubber stamp conditioned and supple.

The Versamark (clear) pad (as do other embossing, "resist" and pigment ink pads) has glycerin as part of its formula. It's the ingredient that keeps the ink sticky long enough to add embossing powder for thermal embossing purposes. And, many have found that if they ink up their stamp with Versamark and let it sit for a while, then clean off the stamp, a lot of staining will be lifted from the stamp and the rubber can become more supple and like new again.

So, that's why I am guessing that what seems like an oily residue is actually glycerin.

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckygal

I was at a stamp show a few years ago, and while watching a demo, someone asked if baby wipes were okay to clean stamps. The person doing the demo stated that baby wipes leave a residue on rubber stamps that will eventually impact the ability of the stamp to hold ink well. I promptly stopped using baby wipes to clean my stamps, but never did any further research to the credibility of this claim. The person making that claim was the owner of a well known stamp company....just wish I could remember the person's name and which company.

I wonder if they were referring to the lanolin content that is in some baby wipes . . . it does have an oily residue but does not break down rubber. However, it can "weather proof" it, which would cause the stamp to repel ink.

Interesting . . . !

[UnderstandBlue]

Professor HRR ROCKS the hizzouse.

[melmel]

I have yet to find anything that will ruin a rubber tstamp! (Although I guess there are lots of things I haven't tried!) thanks for all the info!

[JulieHRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Understandblue

Professor HRR ROCKS the hizzouse.

*chuckle* Don't say that! :shock: I don't know squat about science stuff! Where's Sci-girl? She knows the science stuff!

[Erin K]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

LOL!

So funny! "Smells" are such a subjective thing--I love the smell of Staz-On ink (smells like almond extract to me!) and other peeps look at me in horror.

*chuckle*

So weird thing about Stazon's smell. It does smell like almonds. A few years ago I went though a wierd period where I was having siezures. (Somehow pregnancy related, super weird, went away all is well now) With the siezures I'd have the sensation of "smelling" almonds before I'd seize. So to this day the smell of stazon is unsettling to me. I still use it because it's AWESOME for so many projects, but the smell used to be neutral to me and now it's definately not neutral.

On topic: I love Ultra Clean, I also mostly use a baby wipe (heaven knows i have plenty of them around here) but when somethig is really gunky I bust out the Ultra Clean and it always works. I use it on both my clear and my rubber. No issues here. I don't use the stazon cleaner at all anymore.

I have bought stamps used that were really stained. I didn't mind, got a great deal. But then I just scrubbed them with my ultraclean and they are totally like new. (not the wood, but the rubber at least)

One thing is that my ultra clean has changed colors a few times. I can't remember what color it started as but it has been pink, blue and purple. The same bottle. I did get the largest bottle Gina sells, so I've had it for ages. My point is that although the color has changed it still works exactly the same.

[StampinHoosier]

Very helpful information JulieHRR and Gina K.

Does the Ultra Clean work with Ranger Archival inks? I'm having trouble getting it off of red rubber, but surprisingly the archival ink comes right off of the clear stamps.

Thanks!

[luckygal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

I wonder if they were referring to the lanolin content that is in some baby wipes . . . it does have an oily residue but does not break down rubber. However, it can "weather proof" it, which would cause the stamp to repel ink.

Interesting . . . !

Sounds like a very good educated guess to me! The repelling of ink is precisely what she was referring to when she said the residue build up would cause the rubber to not hold ink well.

[kspiv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Understandblue

Professor HRR ROCKS the hizzouse.

LOL!! OMG...you needed a "spew alert" with that one, Lydia!

Very informative thread tho. I never think about these things, I just clean my stamps after I am done with them and before putting away so I dont have to worry. Good to know that Ultra Clean works so well. I bought some on my last GinaK order and I like it so far! Now if I can just get around to using all those beautiful new stamps I bought! Why oh why do I have to own all the new stamps but dont have time to use them for months. Sheesh....can someone explain that "phenomenon" to me?!

[Gina K. Designs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StampinHoosier

Very helpful information JulieHRR and Gina K.

Does the Ultra Clean work with Ranger Archival inks? I'm having trouble getting it off of red rubber, but surprisingly the archival ink comes right off of the clear stamps.

Thanks!

I bet it would work. It's pretty amazing!

[krystie lee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

There are only 2 things I've ever heard of that will break down rubber:

• Sunlight (as in, storing them in direct sunlight)
• Oil (as in petroleum based oil, vaseline, etc.)

:p

I'd like to add a third...a toddler's teeth! Tuffy grabbed and took a chomp out of my Snow Gent stamp before he ever even saw ink! Now I have to fill in the lines with a fine tip pen. That kid....It's almost as if he requires a minimum amount of supervision or something. :rolleyes:

I agree that Staz-on smells deelish and ultraclean is the best cleaner!

[Clownmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieHRR

LOL!

So funny! "Smells" are such a subjective thing--I love the smell of Staz-On ink (smells like almond extract to me!) and other peeps look at me in horror.

*chuckle*

I like the almond smell of StazOn also! And have also gotten some strange looks!!!

[UnderstandBlue]

I just opened my new Sharpie pen and guess what?? Same yummy almond smell!!

*enabler*

It is this pen

Sharpie� | Sharpie Pen Grip - Fine Point

[Debra Hogg]

OK living in Canada and where do I get this ultra clean. I just brought some stamp cleaner call Grandma's secret rubber stamp cleaner. Try it and though so-so,so I need to google the site, has anyone else use it, and with what results.

[Technique Tuesday]

When I saw this thread I was concerned so I contacted Tsukineko. I figured the actual manufacturer of Stazon would know whether there is a problem with Stazon ruining clear stamps, right. In addition, we have a long standing relationship with Tsukineko. Our stamps have been used by Tsukineko in their tradeshow booth. We have used Tsukineko ink in our classes and sold it in our booth. We specifically talk about Stazon in every class we teach. Given all that, I figured it was important that we know whether there are any issues with Stazon and photopolymer clear stamps. Here is what Luis Rodriguez from Tsukineko had to say:

1. Tsukineko has tested Stazon on both rubber and clear stamps. During the tests, they did not see any evidence that Stazon ruins clear stamps made from high-quality photopolymer.
2. Stazon is a solvent-based ink that is specifically designed to work well on non-porous surfaces. Tsukineko and a number of other companies make ink (including waterproof ink that works well for coloring) that is more appropriate for use on paper and other porous surfaces.
3. Because of the solvent in Stazon, it is best for both rubber and clear stamps to be thoroughly cleaned after they have been used with Stazon. Tsukineko would not recommend leaving Stazon on either rubber or clear stamps for extended periods of time.
4. Because the solvent is a chemical, Tsukineko does not recommend deliberately sniffing Stazon. The almond scent is added to mask the smell of the solvent.

I�d also like to add some information based on my personal experience. Over 9 years ago, when we made the very first Technique Tuesday stamp sets, we made them in both rubber and photopolymer clear stamps. I still have those stamp sets and have used them with Stazon and many other types of ink, bleach, embossing powder, super hot UTEE, melted shrink plastic, hot fun foam, paper clay, and other weird substances. After 9 years, I don't see any signs of either the rubber or photopolymer-based clear stamps deteriorating. However, I have seen clear stamps that were made in Taiwan and China from silicon or molded vinyl have problems. I know that both clear stamps and rubber stamps made in Taiwan and China are less expensive but tend to not be as well made.

I hope that helps clear up any confusion about Stazon. My best advice is to buy rubber and clear stamps that are made in the USA and that are made by companies who back the stamps with good customer service. And if you have rubber stamps or photopolymer clear stamps and use them with Stazon, both Tsukineko and I recommend that you clean them thoroughly with a good cleaner like UltraClean or Technique Tuesday Stamp Cleaner! You can buy Ultra Clean on the Gina K website and Technique Tuesday Stamp Cleaner on our website.

Bev