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So for those of you who use unmounteds, here's a question for you. When I clean my stamp, the block gets wet. No big deal, but that means every time I have to take the stamp off and put it away, then dry the block (usually running it over my pants or something to make sure it's clean and dry) before I use it again. Also - I seem to get ink on the block quite a bit - always makes me nervous about accidentally getting it on my project.
So - how do you handle this? Is there another way to do this that isn't as messy?
I am really loving the acrylic stamps I have (fancy pants, papertrey) but I do HATE the time it takes to mount and unmount them every time. what a pain!
I have more than one acrylic block so that I can use a fresh one for each stamp throughout a project, and have all sizes so the block "fits" the stamp with not a lot of room around the edges to get in the ink. TAC blocks are pretty cheap, and I find I only really need 2 of each size (and I have a few rounded-edge blocks too from other sources). Stamps get put on--and the word stamps are always STRAIGHT (parallel to the bottom edge) this way--and stay on while I'm making the card(s), just sitting out like wood-mounted stamps do while using them, and then when I'm all done I clean and put them away and wipe off the acrylic blocks. I find the assembling/unassembling to be an additional cool part of the project, like I'm making my own stamps :-).
__________________ Lauri G.
Blessed wife and mom
TAC demo #2239
I think if you are getting ink on the blocks, you're probably using too large a block for the image. The stamp should fit on the acrylic block just like the rubber fits on the wood blocks. Like Lauri said having 2 sets of blocks help, or at least 2 sets of the ones you use most often.
I think I read in another thread that you should not use certain cleaners on your blocks, but the Magic Eraser works great. Anyone have any info on this?
I think if you are getting ink on the blocks, you're probably using too large a block for the image. The stamp should fit on the acrylic block just like the rubber fits on the wood blocks. Like Lauri said having 2 sets of blocks help, or at least 2 sets of the ones you use most often.
Exactly. Also I bet your woodmounted blocks get wet when you clean them but since you cannot see that you just let them dry. Magic eraser is wonderful with acrylic blocks. May be a teensy bit more work, but think of all the time you are saving on perfect positioning without using one of those annoying positioning tools that really do take time.
I like the CTMH blocks. They are thicker than the TAC ones and I seem to get less messy myself when using those instead. But, I do have to dry off the block when I've cleaned a stamp but this is usually only when I've just cleaned my Stamp-n-Scrub.
I think if you are getting ink on the blocks, you're probably using too large a block for the image. The stamp should fit on the acrylic block just like the rubber fits on the wood blocks. Like Lauri said having 2 sets of blocks help, or at least 2 sets of the ones you use most often.
well.....what about words? Like small ones. A lot of the stamps in the paper trey sets are pretty small.....I have a 1x1 cube, but it'll still get inked sometimes!
Exactly. Also I bet your woodmounted blocks get wet when you clean them but since you cannot see that you just let them dry. Magic eraser is wonderful with acrylic blocks. May be a teensy bit more work, but think of all the time you are saving on perfect positioning without using one of those annoying positioning tools that really do take time.
ahh yes, BUT they are foam mounted so it doesn't touch the paper as easily. AND, the wood absorbs ink and wetness and acrylic blocks - well, it just sits on the surface waiting to muck up what you are working on, lol!
Emily you have to try CTMH blocks, they are awesome. :p
I stamp opposite� instead of tapping my stamp onto the ink pad, I tap my ink pad onto the stamp. That keeps my blocks from getting ink on them and it helps me to make sure I have even ink coverage on the stamp surface. ;)
I have several little blocks 1x1 and use multiple ones during a project. If I get ink on the block I try to wipe it off the block with a baby wipe before I put stamp to paper. Also the suggestion Jovi had about tapping the ink on the stamp should work great too.
I personally wouldn't use the magic eraser on my stamps acrylic or rubber, I am still leary of what the long term effects might be
__________________ Kate
�So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.�
So for those of you who use unmounteds, here's a question for you. When I clean my stamp, the block gets wet. No big deal, but that means every time I have to take the stamp off and put it away, then dry the block (usually running it over my pants or something to make sure it's clean and dry) before I use it again. Also - I seem to get ink on the block quite a bit - always makes me nervous about accidentally getting it on my project.
So - how do you handle this? Is there another way to do this that isn't as messy?
I am really loving the acrylic stamps I have (fancy pants, papertrey) but I do HATE the time it takes to mount and unmount them every time. what a pain!
My suggestion would be to keep a towel handy to wipe ink off your block and then stamp. I am like you I love the clear stamps, but I also like my mounted ones.
I have 7 different sizes from TAC. But mostly, I need lots of those tiny ones I guess! Maybe I'll get some more of those.
Also, what do you store them in? I store mine in a large SU stamp box that is empty.
That's also what I store mine in. I am also finding that I am getting ink on the block but only when I use the acrylic stamps. I am trying to learn how to adjust my pressure. Maybe I don't need to push so hard because there is no padding. I am loving my new unmounted stamps, though. I don't find it takes me much more time to mount and unmount them. I also wipe across my leg after I clean up.
I have one CTMH acrylic block and it is the same size as SU's block. Much thicker. That one does not get ink on the block (or my fingers) as much.
There are trade off's with every system. its just a tad bit messier to clean off the block. I dont mind as I'm gaining so much space due to the UM storage, and the stamps cost less too.
I think it has more to do with the flatness of acrylic (clear) stamps - there's just not that much thickness like you have with the SU foam/wood blocks or TAC's UM/foam. The 3x3 and 2x2 blocks from TAC are pretty cheap and it would be easy to justify a couple of extras of those. Also, if I have a long, narrow block, I put a smaller image on the end of it and I have a sort of handle. This works nice when inking and it gives me one extra block to work with that I normally wouldn't have used.
I tend to just wipe my block quickly on my jean pants, but that's probably not a very professional answer! :grin: Jovi has a good point about inking upside down and I do that most often.
Those chalk pads will be very juicy so go lightly with them!
I think it has more to do with the flatness of acrylic (clear) stamps - there's just not that much thickness like you have with the SU foam/wood blocks or TAC's UM/foam. The 3x3 and 2x2 blocks from TAC are pretty cheap and it would be easy to justify a couple of extras of those. Also, if I have a long, narrow block, I put a smaller image on the end of it and I have a sort of handle. This works nice when inking and it gives me one extra block to work with that I normally wouldn't have used.
I tend to just wipe my block quickly on my jean pants, but that's probably not a very professional answer! :grin: Jovi has a good point about inking upside down and I do that most often. Those chalk pads will be very juicy so go lightly with them!
Perhaps this was more my issue - I was using craft ink and it was quite juicy. I'll play around with it some more.
ahh yes, BUT they are foam mounted so it doesn't touch the paper as easily. AND, the wood absorbs ink and wetness and acrylic blocks - well, it just sits on the surface waiting to muck up what you are working on, lol!
and you will lose the ability to see placement so well (like the clear stamps do) if you put EZ mount on them.
You wouldn't want to do that. I am LOVING my new clear stamps. So fun to 2-step stamp with them. I'm also getting better today at not getting ink on my blocks or fingers. ;)
I see what you mean. I missed that they were clear stamps and thought they were unmounted rubber. I still think block size and probably practice are your main issues. It really is not a problem for me, but maybe it was when I first went unmounted. I just don't remember it being annoying.
You wouldn't want to do that. I am LOVING my new clear stamps. So fun to 2-step stamp with them. I'm also getting better today at not getting ink on my blocks or fingers. ;)
practice makes perfect, huh? I guess I can force myself to use them more....**sigh**......lol! LIke I need more reasons to use my papertrey and fancy pants stamps!
I see what you mean. I missed that they were clear stamps and thought they were unmounted rubber. I still think block size and probably practice are your main issues. It really is not a problem for me, but maybe it was when I first went unmounted. I just don't remember it being annoying.
I will practice practice practice and see how that goes! but I did order some more of the small blocks I use most.
Emily, like everyone else has said, I think it's a combination of not having the foam layer and using pigment ink. I think the extra thickness of the foam keeps the block away from that juicy pigment pad, thus keeping it cleaner. I agree that a smaller block can help, but I find sometimes that just means the ink gets on my fingers rather than the block, LOL. (I'd prefer it on the block as I normaly see it, however I usually don't realise it's on my fingers until I've smudged it on the card!)
You will just love the VersaMagic inks--they are GORGEOUS! And the dewdrops are great for applying TO a stamp, as suggested above. They are slower drying, like your pigment inks, though, so be careful.
__________________ Lauri G.
Blessed wife and mom
TAC demo #2239
Doesn't your block have 2 sides? Couldn't you just turn it over and use the other side?
but it's acrylic so the ink is still there - then it's just getting on your hand. That doesn't really help. And after you use it twice you still have to clean it the same way. And I don'[t know about you, but I will use the same small block maybe with 4-5 different samps on one card.
I don't use pigment ink and do just fine with the dye. That may be why I have no inky issues
I mostly use dye too, but you still clean your stamp, right? Cause then it still gets the block wet. And unlike wood blocks, the water sits on acrylic ones til you get it off. And I try to dry it off really good on the dry side of my scrubber, but it's still there.
I agree that a smaller block can help, but I find sometimes that just means the ink gets on my fingers rather than the block, LOL. (I'd prefer it on the block as I normaly see it, however I usually don't realise it's on my fingers until I've smudged it on the card!)
Been there and done that too!! argh...
lgulotta is right about the VersaMagic...slow to dry so you can get smudges if you are like me and rush to stick it down and "pat" it in place. Well worth the wait though, or hit it with the heat gun.
I mostly use dye too, but you still clean your stamp, right? Cause then it still gets the block wet. And unlike wood blocks, the water sits on acrylic ones til you get it off. And I try to dry it off really good on the dry side of my scrubber, but it's still there.
I don't think scrubbers get things very dry. How about keeping a piece of cloth there to dry on. Or you could be like me and wipe it on your jeans!
Great thread. I've had this problem, too. Like all the tips. Lighter tapping of the ink pad and onto the stamp makes great sense. Will try this especially on the ums I just got that are so thin, but good image when inked properly.
unmounted block/stamp question...
But like Jovi said, I tap the ink pad (spots/dew drops/cat's eyes are great for tiny stamps 
