Having a problem with the acrylic stamps...

[Dragonbutterfly]

OK, never had the acrylics before and today while at the Hobby Lobby I bought some. I used one of them (a cute ladybug border! omg!!!) but now I cant get all the ink off the stamp! It still has a pinkish tint to it. I've used the stamp scubber AND then I used a little soapy water when the cleanner didn't get it off. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it the ink pad I used or do these stamps just hold ink like this? How do I get it off?!?! TY!!!

[bcgal00]

Don't worry about some ink staining the acrylic stamp, it won't hurt it. As long as the stamp has been cleaned then its OK.

Besides, if the acrylic gets a bit stained it actually makes it easier to find the stamp if you drop it on the floor b/c now it'll have a bit of color on it to spot when you're looking for it.

[jtax]

yup, those acrylic stamps STAIN!

[yytx]

Red and black inks are the WORST for staining - but the bright side is that it sure makes lining them up to use that much easier!! has no effect on stamping.

[Suzy_H]

baby wipes and ultra clean will get rid of that. I find the stamp n scrub has some ink residue that can stain clear stamps no matter how much I wash it.

[vdoyle8]

I have just started collecting acrylic stamps. I bought a couple of sets at ACMoore and have them stored in a zip lock bag. There was also a piece of cardboard in with them - it was the original packaging for the stamps. One set of stamps was so sticky, it adhered to the paper. I couldn't get it off. I finally had to use warm water and a little soap, but it was pretty stubborn. I'm having a rather difficult transition to acrylic - maybe I just don't embrace change but they are a different animal than my SU stamps.

[housefan]

STaining makes them work better! Don't take the staining off once they are basically clean.

[dorism6220]

I transferred my acrylic stamps to an empty CD case - and the ink stain makes it easier to read...at least for me!

[Mahloumel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdoyle8

One set of stamps was so sticky, it adhered to the paper. I couldn't get it off. I finally had to use warm water and a little soap, but it was pretty stubborn. I'm having a rather difficult transition to acrylic - maybe I just don't embrace change but they are a different animal than my SU stamps.

You ought to take those stamps back to get exchanged, as it sounds like they may have been improperly cured. Acrylic stamps being all sticky and gummy is like red rubber stamps that are all faded and cracked, or have an air bubble in them -- that's not how they're supposed to be!

[Momofoneson]

Acrylic's will stain, it is the nature of the beast. I have plenty of CTMH stamps that are stained and I used their ink. Don't worry about it, it won't hurt your next images.

[vdoyle8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahloumel

You ought to take those stamps back to get exchanged, as it sounds like they may have been improperly cured. Acrylic stamps being all sticky and gummy is like red rubber stamps that are all faded and cracked, or have an air bubble in them -- that's not how they're supposed to be!

Really? Wow - I'll try to dip up that receipt. I did notice that some of them were very yellow also .. and the set wasn't cheap. It was 29.99.

[HeatherHolbrook]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdoyle8

Really? Wow - I'll try to dip up that receipt. I did notice that some of them were very yellow also .. and the set wasn't cheap. It was 29.99.

Yellowing won't hurt them, they may have gotten exposed to too much light (this can happen while hanging on store shelves) and it's normal. But like the OP said if they are really gummy or super sticky then they are defective. Sometimes poor quality clear stamps will be that way but if you paid $30 I'd take them back!

[housefan]

They are supposed to feel more sticky than regular stamps. They are not supposed to feel like honey though.

[jtax]

I have a set I just bought (Scraptrends) and they are not sticky enough. GRRRR! Last night I was using them and when I turned the block over, the inked stamp fell off onto my nearly finished card - of course not in the right place! I tried washing and the stickiness did not return - any ideas???

[Mahloumel]

Did you also clean your acrylic block with soapy water? I haven't had that particular problem yet but I sympathise with you! If you are one of the crafters who can munch while stamping, is it possible some food residue is interfering with the cling?

(I don't eat while crafting at all -- I started out as a scrapper and retained the AR tendencies inherent to that craft. )

[bcgal00]

JTAX - about your stamping not being "clingy" enough....if you wash them in a bit of dish soap and warm water, let them air dry with flat clingy side facing upward (not touching the counter or towel or whatever you lay them on)...don't rub them with a paper towel or anything b/c the residue/lint off the napkin/towel can adhere to the stamp, making them less stickly.

I have tons of acrylic stamps from different manufacturers and while some stick better than others, they are all work great...you just have to clean and air dry every once in awhile to give them a "fresh" start again.

Hope this helps you.

[jtax]

Mel and Rae, I did wash the stamp with dish soap and water, but didn't let it air dry - I placed it right on the block, thinking the water might help make it cling (and it did somewhat)... Will try again and let it air dry. Thanks for the info!

I, too, do not eat while stamping or do crafting of any sort - would hate to ruin a project - guess I'm a bit AR myself!