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I have a few large (backround) wood mount stamps that do not have a flush stamping surface so therefore I don't get a good stamped image. Some of the indentations are in the middle of the stamp. I am very careful with storage. I can't return them because I don't always use my new stuff right away. Any ideas on how to plump them up? I don't want to unmount yes, (I am one of those who loves her wood mounts.) I have tried using my heat gun to heat the cushion, thinking that would help, but it didn't work and I did not want to ruin the rubber. I have also tried stamping it on different surfaces and have used many different stamping pads.UGHHH! Thanks, friends!
Have you tried placing them rubber side up and laying the paper on top of them after you ink them? I do this with some large stamps. I then gently rub the paper to make contact with the stamp.
I've never tried shimming under the stamp.
__________________ Denise
"If a person who indulges in gluttony is a glutton, and a person who commits a felony is a felon, then God is an iron.�
― Spider Robinson
Have you tried placing them rubber side up and laying the paper on top of them after you ink them? I do this with some large stamps. I then gently rub the paper to make contact with the stamp.
Have you tried placing them rubber side up and laying the paper on top of them after you ink them? I do this with some large stamps. I then gently rub the paper to make contact with the stamp.
I've never tried shimming under the stamp.
Why didn't I think of that?? Thank you!! I'll try it tonight if I get to play with my toys.
I was thinking about this just yesterday, but with a large out line stamp - I have a large Pooh stamp that had been stored poorly by its previous owner and there's one section of the ear that never prints. I was going to try shimming underneath that section.
I'll second the idea of laying the rubber down and putting the paper on top, then rubbing the paper into the ink.
Another great tool for cling-mounted background stamps is the Mega Mount from Impression Obsession - the curve of the block really does help to get an even print.
When you lay it rubber side up, ink it, then lay your paper on it. Then if you have a brayer, use that on the paper (that's laying on the inked stamp) to help get even coverage. I have also put a scrap piece of paper between my cardstock and brayer, just in case there is extra ink and I don't want to have to clean my brayer.
I recently tried the inking with the rubber side up technique on some large stamps that I wanted to unmount. It worked really well! I sometimes use a brayer, but sometimes I just put my CS down, put some scrap paper over it (all my printer rejects) and rub my fingers over it. The only real trick is pulling off the paper without smearing, but you get the hang of it.
I use all my background stamps rubber up. I use a smaller acrylic block instead of my fingers that way I know I am not going to push into the background. But if the stamp were uneven I think fingers would work better.
Hmm. Depends on where it is on the stamp and how bad. Personally I would never heat gun a stamp bc I would be afraid of drying out the rubber and making it brittle.
I use an old soft rubber silicone layer from a big shot for most of my stamping. This often solves the issue of uneveness because it lets you press where the recession is in the stamp surface.
Face up is also great and I have had teachers advocate for that all the time with large backgrounds-both fingers and small brayer. You just have to be careful it does not shift around. Some are so big they are hard to handle period.
I have such a problem with the paper shifting when I try to do the "finger rub" or the brayer so I put the paper on my chair floor mat, put the inked stamp on the paper, and step on it. Not very scientific but I get a good solid image.
I have such a problem with the paper shifting when I try to do the "finger rub" or the brayer so I put the paper on my chair floor mat, put the inked stamp on the paper, and step on it. Not very scientific but I get a good solid image.
A couple of tricks I learned for large stamps;
1) place another large stamp on top of the other one with the wood side down and rubber up this time so that you have wood on wood and then press. The second stamp helps apply even pressure everywhere.
2) don't pull up too quickly when stamping with large stamps, slowly count to ten and then lift up, it gives the ink a chance to fully transfer and soak into the paper.
It most likely the mounting cushion and not the rubber that is damaged, sometimes just leaving it out and not messing with it will help. While heat will not hurt rubber, it could melt the cushion if you get it too hot.
You could also try warming the stamp in the microwave to see if that might fix the indent. Anywhere from 25 seconds or more. This will not hurt the rubber, the cushion or the wood block, however the block can get pretty hot, so watch your fingers.
I was thinking about this just yesterday, but with a large out line stamp - I have a large Pooh stamp that had been stored poorly by its previous owner and there's one section of the ear that never prints. I was going to try shimming underneath that section.
I'll second the idea of laying the rubber down and putting the paper on top, then rubbing the paper into the ink.
Another great tool for cling-mounted background stamps is the Mega Mount from Impression Obsession - the curve of the block really does help to get an even print.
I've found a curved surface makes a difference too, Dini.....I use an old Cuttlebug B plate.....it's easy to store and works well. I got the idea somewhere on SplitCoast, of course.....lol!!
__________________
Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
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I also use the upside down, finger rub method. And YES rubber will dry out and become brittle over time with too much heat. Even just storing them unused over a long period of time they can start cracking. When that happens just spritz with stamp cleaner and let it soak in before wiping off. It helps! (true life experience)
I also use the upside down method, with a piece of copy paper on top to rub on so I don't get ink on my hands. Years ago there were threads about this here on SCS and there were some gals who SAT on their inked up background stamps - we called it "butt-stamping"!!! :-) I have to say I prefer my method, but it was good for some laughs! :-)
__________________ ~ Susan - Celebrating 19 years as an SU demo! Grammy to Anna 15, Elizabeth 14, Nora 12, Abigail 12, Kendall 10 , Isaac 10, Evan 7, and Hudson 3 with me in my avatar Proud to be SCS Fan Club Member since the beginning!