Help with Acrylic Stamps
 

I've decided to try the CTMH acrylic stamps for fun. This is my first time with any acrylic stamp, and I'm having issues with coloring directly on the stamp and then huffing on it, and then stamping on the cardstock, my images are not coming out. Anyone got any suggestions? I'm completely lost on what to do lol, I've been doing this forever with rubber stamps and my images come out so crisp and clean....so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Krystal

i've tried it with my CTMH and it didnt work so well.. so i am subbing to see what others say

Krystal,
Just making note of a couple of things for you to try...
Are you using the foam insert to cushion your paper? You really will need some kind of cushion behind your paper.
Are you lightly pushing the stamp down? I find that using too much pressure like I do with rubber stamps will not give me a crisp stamp with these acrylic ones.
I've only tried the huffing technique on smaller stamps... is it a larger stamp?

I don't know if any of this will help you, but I wanted to give you a few ideas.
I hope that you keep trying and that you get it all down pat soon! :)

Also, what markers are you using? SU, Tombo and CTMH markers work pretty well with them, but I have found that others tend not to do as well. When you stamp is there ink left on the image? I would definitely use the padding that came with the stamps. Have you tried the stamp with a regular ink pad? How does it stamp then? I'm asking all of these questions so I can better define what the issue is and can then help.

Have you rubbed an eraser over your stamp to get rid of any manufacturing residue that might be left? I haven't used any other types of markers, other than CTMH, so, not sure if the type you're using has anything to do with it or not.

Suz
CTMH Director
http://www.suzastampin.com

You've already gotten some great answers. I have tons of CTMH stamps and other clear stamps and have no trouble when I follow the guidelines as given above.

Another thing I do with a new clear stamp is to condition it (ink it up and stamp off on scrap paper repeatedly until no ink is left on the stamp). This helps to remove the film that is sometimes on the new stamp that interferes with getting a clean, even, sharp image. Once conditioned, its ready to use.

So I have done all these things, I've been doing this technique forever on rubber, so the only thing that has changed for me is the acrylics. I'm using the CTMH markers, I've done the pad under the paper, I did not try the eraser, but I did stamp with it several times to make sure I got off the manufacturing gunk, and it stamps beautifully. It's just the markers it won't work on, and the odd thing is, is it's almost like it's drying before I stamp, but I've huffed on it, I've even tried misting with water and it won't come out. The stamp I'm using is small like 1" x 1.5". Anyway will try a few more things, maybe will try my SU markers to see if there is any difference. Thanks all!!!

*definitely* do the eraser trick... works every time.

Thank you to all that helped out!!! I've figured it out, now that I'm home and can play some more. I tried my Stampin Up markers, and instantly they worked, and I noticed they were much juicier than my *new* CTMH ones....so luckily I ordered the ink pad refill for the colors I had, and reinked the CTMH markers a bit, and it's working like a charm now. Will try the eraser trick too, on the acrylix I haven't already broken in. Again, thanks to all for the help!! New I could count on you guys!!!

~Krystal

Sooo glad that you got it all worked out! :)
This is SUCH a great place to come for advice.. I love it!! :)