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After two years (maybe more), I'm finally done unmounting my stamps! It's been quite a project to unmount hundreds of stamps from their wood mount blocks, put them in cases and then create labels for them (inserts into the stamp cases).
Sometimes I think about unmounting too. I am almost finished organizing my clear/UM stamps, so to think about tackling my wood-mounts is a bit overwhelming.
Sometimes I think about unmounting too. I am almost finished organizing my clear/UM stamps, so to think about tackling my wood-mounts is a bit overwhelming.
One stamp at a time... right? I think I may have unmounted 3-4 sets a week, but not necessarily every week. So I didn't stress myself out about it, but plugged away at a good pace. I did take a box full to a retreat one month and managed to get a huge amount done the first night of the retreat.
What do you do if the unmounted label is not usable? Have you ever used vinyl, tissue paper and Stazon ink to make a replacement label?
Great tutorial!
Good question.
If it was a label that I tore while removing, I applied it in two parts. Worked well.
If the stamp didn't have a label such as some double mounted stamps, I didn't worry about it. I have the image on the stamp case insert for reference. If the stamp needed additional tackiness, I applied Aileen's Tack it Over and Over right to the foam cushion.
For some non-SU stamps without images, I didn't worry about it and again used the insert for reference and treated the back of the cushion if additional tackiness was needed.
Now I did have an issue with colored labels on some stamps. I had the color come off on two of them. After that, I didn't worry about the label and for most saved the label and adhered it to the inside of the stamp case along with a little label that identified the brand or name of the stamp. If additional tackiness was needed, I again treated the cushion.
Wow, looks great - both the storage and the tutorial. You must be one very organized person!
A couple of ?s, if you don't mind. You don't have any non-SU stamps? If so, did you buy DVD cases to store those in so they would match your SU sets? also, what do you do when the Tack-it finally loses its stickiness? I've done some of my unmounteds with the Aleene's. I like it, but for me its lack of longevity is a drawback. You probably know something I don't; would you share with me how you make it last?
Wow, looks great - both the storage and the tutorial. You must be one very organized person!
A couple of ?s, if you don't mind. You don't have any non-SU stamps? If so, did you buy DVD cases to store those in so they would match your SU sets? also, what do you do when the Tack-it finally loses its stickiness? I've done some of my unmounteds with the Aleene's. I like it, but for me its lack of longevity is a drawback. You probably know something I don't; would you share with me how you make it last?
Oh I own lots of non-su stamps. :-) I store them in the same cases, make similar labels, but I do differentiate the color of the banner at the top. Check out the two pictures at the end of my unmounting tutorial. You'll see stamps from three different companies as an example: SU, Hampton Art and Bombshell Stamps. Paper Chrome: Unmounting Tutorial: Non-EZFoam alternative
As for the tackiness, I haven't had that wear off yet. In fact I've had the opposite problem of it being too tacky and I cured that by picking up some lint off of my clothing. Maybe it helps to have them stored in those CD cases, not sure. Now if it does wear off, I would expect the first thing I'd try is to clean the back of the stamp lightly with soap and water to remove any debris. If that doesn't work, I know I still have plenty of the adhesive left over to give it another light coat.
Harley, thx for the reply. That's probably good thinking about the soap and water - works with Tack 'n Peel, might work with the Aleene's too. I've unmounted mine too, so time will tell on the Aleene's. I've had some about 2 years using TIO&O, but I seldom use them (maybe for fear that I'll be lost when they lose their sticky), so time will tell!
Very nice, Monica! All of my stamps are in SU! clear cases. I used Krylon's Easy Tack as the sticky to help the stamps stay on the clear blocks. But I've since decided I don't like the ET spray. I still have half a can and it no longer sprays out the spray the way it should. I saw a post where someone just cut out pieces of the thinnest clear vinyl and applied it to her clear SU! blocks. The stamps stick like a dream to the blocks and cling very well.
As I go forward, I will probably use this trick instead of spraying my unmounted stamps.
Very nice, Monica! All of my stamps are in SU! clear cases. I used Krylon's Easy Tack as the sticky to help the stamps stay on the clear blocks. But I've since decided I don't like the ET spray. I still have half a can and it no longer sprays out the spray the way it should. I saw a post where someone just cut out pieces of the thinnest clear vinyl and applied it to her clear SU! blocks. The stamps stick like a dream to the blocks and cling very well.
As I go forward, I will probably use this trick instead of spraying my unmounted stamps.
I know what spray you're talking about. I use it to restick my cutting mats for my e-cutters. But the last time I re did my cutting mats, I used thinned out TIO&O. It's worked well and I didn't have to tape off, go out side to spray, etc. It was just easier to grab a foam brush and use the TIO&O.
The vinyl sounds like a great idea too. I had heard about that, but was already well under way with my current method and I didn't have to restamp the image on the vinyl. Double bennie... less work. :-) Now I've since purchased a used set that was unmounted and vinyl applied. Not sure if it was the wrong vinyl, but it got all warped and din't appear to stick well. I suppose nothing's perfect.
ok, now you can come to my house and work on my stamps!
Hmmm... NY. Now that could be a great motorcycle ride from Memphis. Too bad that day job gets in the way. Would you believe that they only let me out for a couple of weeks a year (I mean get vacation...). ;)
One stamp at a time... right? I think I may have unmounted 3-4 sets a week, but not necessarily every week. So I didn't stress myself out about it, but plugged away at a good pace. I did take a box full to a retreat one month and managed to get a huge amount done the first night of the retreat.
Thanks for the advice!!
I may just start with one or two stamps at a time. I don't have a finish line to cross, so it doesn't matter how long it takes me.
Unmounted! Finally! (and tutorial)
