Bad image with a new set of clear stamps

[Aubie24]

I just bought a set of All Night Media clear stamps last night. I can't get a good clear image. A friend told me there is a residue on new stamps that needs to be removed. Can someone tell me what that process is, other wise I am taking these stamps back for a refund.

[gmcbunny]

take an eraser and erase all around the image - that should remove the residue

[Faereygirl]

I rub them on my jeans before stamping....just the jeans Im wearing....I just had a funny mental image of leaving a pair of jeans on the stamp table...

[deeth1]

Hi,
To condition clear stamps when they are new, I ink them up several times with pigment ink and stamp on a scrap of paper. The manufacturing residue is normally gone after you ink and stamp them 5 to 7 times.
What type of ink are you using? Pigment inks such as Brilliance, Colorbox, Versafine or Versacraft (formerly called Fabrico) will give you a much better image. The trick is to make sure the ink pads are fresh and juicy. I reink my pads before each use and get great results with clear stamps.
( Since most clear stamps are made from polymers, a regular ink such as SU Classic will not adhere well to the polymer so your image will not turn out as well as it would when using a pigment ink.)
HTH,
Deloris

[stampin8mom]

Another tip I was given for using the clear stamps that has really helped me:

put a mouse pad from your computer under your cardstock (the spongey pad that comes with a coluzzle works, too) and then stamp. It helps me get a clearer image.

I use SU inks this way with no problem.

Hope this helps.
Kathy

[avonlea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcbunny

take an eraser and erase all around the image - that should remove the residue

I've used a white eraser (use the red rubber erasers to remove the residue from rubber stamps).

Also, there are different qualities of acrylic stamps. Sometimes it's true; you get what you pay for.

And I agree with deeth1/Deloris; pigment inks work much better for me!!

.:Cris:.

PS One of the companies I'm most impressed with is gel-�-tins stamps. The images come out so clean and crisp!

[mav1126]

I just bought a set last night from Autum Leaves and posted about having problems with the ink , I tried everything you girls said and still it is horrible...
To me , INHO, it was a waste of money. the only thing i can think of doing is using versamark adn embossing them in black and them coloring them in... i was alwasy against the clear stamps and saw this set adn said ok i will try it...i should have went with my gut feeling......i have to stick to RUBBER... SU of course!!!!

[GWTW Junkie]

Sorry that happened, Vicky! Don't ya hate it when you buy something you thought would be cool and it flops??

I've heard that complaint a lot about clear stamps. Enough that I'll never try them! SU all the way, baby!

[gaylestamps]

I have some acrylic stamps (bought before I signed with SU) and they worked fine with dye-based inks once I conditioned them. Tip: rub the stamp in a circle on the pad, then tap a few times. Stamp on scratch paper and repeat on CS - you should get a good image.

My problem with acrylics is that I drop things constantly, and spent too much time looking for those little clear things! Don't have that problem with wood mounts - LOL!

[Aubie24]

Thanks ladies, this is the first bad experience I have had with the clear stamps.
I think I have just purchased a substandard product and will return it tomorrow.
I like my other sets because they take up so little space and are easy to take with me when I crop.
I agree SU products are the best, but they have those big old wooden blocks and I have run out of space to store them.

[guidinggirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubie24

I agree SU products are the best, but they have those big old wooden blocks and I have run out of space to store them.

I too love the SU stamps best, but I also like acrylics because its easier to see what I am doing. I found out from a friend who sells acrylics and uses SU's that you can easy mount them; therefore getting the quality of SU stamps but storage like an acrylic. I have done this and find it works great and all my stamps fit into a binder. HTH.

[crazycatstamper]

I love my clear stamps and have very rarely had a problem getting a good image and when I do, it's usually because I forgot to put my foam sheet under the top sheet of my grid pad. I just keep a sheet of craft foam under the top sheet or two. Acrylics lack the cushion that rubber has between the image and the block and sometimes they need that little bit of give, I guess. I did have one bad one from CTMH, but the actual stamp was defective and they replaced it and the new one stamps just fine.

[Joan B]

I think the type and quality of clear stamps really varies. I'm not a huge fan of them due to similar inking issues, but certainly some are better than others. I have a set of A Muse polka dot alphabets that take SU classic ink pretty well. However, I find that acrylic is so soft that it takes a while to get it on the block in an even fashion, especially since the stamps themselves are small. So at the moment I'm waiting for the technology to improve. You know it is just a question of time!!