clear acrylic stamp images w/stampin up ink pad
 

I've only been stamping for a few months, and there is so much I don't know or understand. I bought some clear acrylic stamps from paper trey ink. All of my stamp pads are from stampin up and when I use the two of them together, my stamped images have a really watery appearance. I only have itty bitty words in the clear stamps, and I am so dissatisfied with the results. I've seen wonderful projects that other people have done using the two products combined, so I can only deduce that the problem lies with me. But since I don't know what's causing the problem, I can't fix it. :/ Any ideas?? Thanks

On any of the clear stamps, My first thing to do is take an eraser and rub all over the stamp. If that doesn't work try versafine ink...

Versafine ink usually works well with good quality clear stamps.

I will take a very fine sanding block and lightly sand on the stamp.

I read this on a package of clear stamps I bought a long time ago. It works really good for me.

~Diana

Add a little Versafine watermark ink and then add the Stampin' Up ink on top. It does make a difference.

You can also use a soft white eraser on them. Be sure to be gentle. Also, make sure you use a clean eraser.

You won't have much luck with SU inks and clear stamps IMO. I've torn my hair out countless times trying to get them to work well. The Versamark does help you get a better impression, but if you're going to use clear stamps a lot, you may as well start investing in some other inks that work well with clear stamps. My favorites are Memento, or Palette inks. Other brands that work well with clear are Vivid, chalk inks, and CTMH.

I also like Versafine, Memento and Palette inks with clear stamps. I gave up on using SU inks a long time ago with clear stamps.

I use a fine sanding block on mine, too, and have no issues with them and SU ink. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! I will give all your suggestions a try!

Vivid die ink or any of the chalk inks work well for solid images (and all the above mentioned).

I just received my very first Paper Trey stamps for Christmas, and I ran an Artgum eraser over them first before inking. (Get all of the shine off of the stamp) They inked BEAUTIFULLY with my SU inks, way better than I expected. I think you just need to get that coating off. Don't give up.

I use my SU ink pads with PTI stamps all the time but I usually stamp a few times on a piece of scrap paper and then I'm good to go. I can't afford to buy a whole new set of stamp pads for just PTI stamps after I own all SU stamp pads.

You can use Versmark on your stamp first, then ink with your SU ink pad. Also inking and stamping off repeatedly will help. And if you have Stazon, I have heard that using Stazon first (then stamp off - and will stain but that makes the clear stamps easier to see anyway) will make the stamps more receptive to something like the SU inks. I have used SU ink pads with clear stamps many times.

However. . . . I prefer to use Versamagic, Versafine, Memento or Palette inks. Versamagic is beautiful with clear stamps. I use Memento if I'm coloring with Copics, and Versafine for any water media.

Good luck! :^) Hope we hear some of these suggestions have given you success.

Putting a pad under your cs also seems to make a big difference, even if it is just a stack of printer paper. I use SU colored ink exclusively and haven't had a problem since I began using a softer surface to stamp on.

Pamela

Just to throw in one more variable - the paper choice will make a world of difference as well. A really thick paper, such as PTI (which I love!) will tend to absorb a lot more ink, leading to the blotchiness/fading that you seem to be experiencing (which is why versamark + dye ink works better). A thinner paper, such as SU whisper white, will alleviate that issue. Just my 2 cents.

Much as I have tried the sander, and the eraser, and all kinds of stamp cleaners, the BEST way to get your stamp stamping GREAT is:


THE ADHESIVE PICK UP SQUARE!!!!!

You can get it lots of places, and there's several different brands, but here's a picture:
Therm O Web - Adhesive Pick Up Square


Rub your adhesive pick up square over the surface of the polymer. It will remove any residue of stuff from the manufacturing. Easier than an eraser, and safer than the sanding block.

To show you how well it works, here is a card that I used an Inkadinkadoo stamp on...with SU Dye inks...after rubbing with the square...
VSN What's in the air? by fionna51 - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
And Inkadinkadoo stamps are really bad for having the dye ink bead up

I had the same problem! I had given up using my clear stamps because the image was so bad. I only use SU ink, and I didn't want to invest in other inks just for clear stamps...that then wouldn't match my SU paper...which would have made me buy more paper...it would have never ended!
But then I found the same suggestions that you have already read here...and I LOVE my clear stamps. I started by using stazon to ink up my stamps, (I really didn't care if they were stained black, it just made it easier to see), I also found some mouse pads in the dollar bin at Michaels and started stamping with a mouse pad under the paper. Perfect! I never used an eraser or "cleaned" off the stamps. I stopped using the stazon and found I didn't have a problem as long as I put some kind of "pad" under the paper. Good luck--it's really nice to buy stamps now from some of the wonderful clear stamp companies! I like Waltzing mouse, Verve, and Papertrey! Have Fun!

That is a good point, I never thought about that, but it makes perfect sense now that you mention it. I'll have to remember that when I'm struggling to get a clear image with a clear stamp!
I also have to get one of those adhesive erasers, anyone know if craft stores like AC Moore or Mike's has them?

I do this, too. I use SU inks with my PTI stamps all the time. I do get excellent results when I use ColorBox chalk ink and Memento inks.

Seasoning acrylic stamps & versamark inks
 

Thanks Teri! great ideas! The eraser idea is wonderful. I had trouble getting clear images on Tim Holtzs' clear stamps. I sent Tim an email asking about the problem and he advised Versamark ink for the best quality images. I am thankful to him because Versamark really gives clear concise images on polymer and acrylic stamps Plus they are the only ones that seem to work for me on photo stamps.
I wrote an article for ebay awhile back about acrylic stamps and I hold to the belief of Do NOT use any kind of sand paper on them- Before first use, acrylic stamps need to be seasoned. I do this with most every new acrylic I buy. To season a stamp means to ink it up a couple times with a light ink, stamp the image and rub the ink left on the stamp all over the stamp with your finger. Use a light ink for this first stamping helps future inks stick to the stamp and reduce eventual staining. ps: If the ink on the stamp is beading (little blobs) and is not giving the coverage you want you need to season it a couple more times.

I've found that SU ink is the worst ink to use on clear stamps, no matter what else I do. I've also found that not all clear stamps are good stamps. I don't buy any more dollar stamps. I stick to CTMH (which I think are the BEST clear stamps I've ever used), Hero Arts, and Inkadinkado.

Thank you! I will have to keep all of these tips in the back of my mind when using my clear stamps!

I agree... SU is awful on clear stamps. I invested in a set of Memento Dew Drops to use on clear stamps and I'm so glad I did. I've never tried CTMH stamps but in my opinion Hero Arts and PTI make the best clear stamps available!

I agree, CTMH are the best clear stamps :) Their inks are great too, they are formulated for clear stamps and I've used them on lots of different clear brands and they work great, I highly recommend them.