Working with BIG Background Stamps

[commited]

I am wondering what I am doing wrong when I am using my big stamps? I have the big blossom, and the Aida Cloth Big stamps. When I have used the Aida Cloth BG Stamp, I get uneven tones. This is how I do it: I ink my stamp, and I place the card stock on the stamp and rub my fing over the card stock. I tried it with the stamp on top and I messed up. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am new to the BIG stamps. Cleaning is no problem, but getting the "nack" of working with it, takes a little practice, I think.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[sweetpeas]

This is how I do it: ink my stamp real well, lay it flat on my work surface, place the cardstock on top, then place a piece of scratch paper over the cardstock and then do one of two things: rub my fingers over it for a light coat or use a brayer to firmly roll over the paper and get a darker impression. HTH!

[Stampin4sandra]

I used to use my finger... now I have a piece of scrap paper... just a little bigger than the SU BG stamps... I do as you.. ink the stamp up well, then flip it over... put the CS on top of it and then the scrap paper and use my whole hand to glide over the paper firmly and several times... it works great for me... no more gaps in my BG stamping... HTH.

[Charlee]

It sounds like you are doing it just like I do. Are you using a brayer to ink it up or using the ink pad to ink the BG stamp? To get a more even coverage of ink you need to use the brayer to ink your stamp and then put the CS on the stamp and I usually use a spare piece of printer paper and put it on top of the cardstock and then use my fingers to add pressure. You can also use the brayer to go over the top of the cardstock (clean the brayer first after inking the stamp) and that gives it more even pressure. HTH

[nancystamps]

I agree with Charlee, inking your stamp with a brayer makes all the difference.

[nuttystamper]

A brayer is a must have-if you don't have one. I resisted buying a brayer and inked my background with just the pad and I always seemed to have uneven ink tone or lines that the pad left. Now I use the brayer on my bg stamps and I seem to have much better luck.

[Paula O.]

I have a rubber brayer (the beige one with the red handle) and I find it hard to get a coating of ink on it. I roll it over ink pads but it seems like the brayer barely picks up any ink. The pads are plenty inky, too. Any ideas?

[camsmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula O.

I have a rubber brayer (the beige one with the red handle) and I find it hard to get a coating of ink on it. I roll it over ink pads but it seems like the brayer barely picks up any ink. The pads are plenty inky, too. Any ideas?

it takes a bit for the brayer to get "seasoned" with ink. I ink up and then try on scrap paper 1st-THEN I ink up my BG stamp.

And I agree-the only way to ink up a big stamp using classic pads is with the brayer.

[GarnetJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by camsmom

And I agree-the only way to ink up a big stamp using classic pads is with the brayer.

I did not know how to get rid of those little lines left by the edge of the ink pad. Great info!!

I do use a brayer to get even pressure (after laying the stamp on the table with the cardstock and scrap paper over it). But, if you should want a sort of "antique" look [I do this with the Canvas stamp] using your fingers over just some parts of the cardstock will give a more subtle print.

[tara1601]

i like to ink my bg's with the markers.. instead of the ink pad.. i think i get better coverage.. maybe thats just me :P

[lbirus]

I don't have good success with the brayer but I do rub the pad over the stamp to get ink on it then I tap up and down all over the stamp until it is fully dark and juicy (the pouncing up and down motion keeps the ink even), be sure and look to see how it's inked, then do the paper and hand thing.
At least you can try it until you can get a brayer.

[ginnycarter]

All big stamps, brayers and stamps that have large blank rubber images have to be cleaned before use to remove any mould residue from manufacturing. I recommend using a good quality stamp cleaner and wiping completely dry. I have good luck with large stamps by inking and stamping directly to the project paper. Then stand up and apply good pressure to all four corners and the center, being careful not to move the stamp. I own a really huge stamp and I apply pressure by standing on the stamp on a hard floor. Good luck.
Ginny
Smallstudioproductions.com

[Nana Pam]

I always use a brayer with my large background stamps but I don't use it to apply the ink. I apply the ink to the stamp with the stamp pad, making sure it looks well covered, then I place my paper on top of the stamp and carefully cover it with a piece of scratch paper. Then I hold the papers in place with one hand and roll my brayer all over the stamp with the other, moving my hand carefully when necessary. When I lift the papers off I alway lift at two diagonal corners (when I lifted at one I got smudges). This technique works well and the brayer stays clean. I just did 80 backgrounds for a swap and they turned out great!

[windycitystamper]

For those inking up the stamp with a brayer, are you using the hard rubber attachment, rather than the foam?

[NYstamper]

However you decide to do it, it does take practice! I usually dab the ink pad over it and have found that after that, if I lightly rub the pad over it, I don't get the lines. I also just use my fingers to rub the ink on it. The other thing I have noticed, is that if my paper is smaller or not over hanging the edge, it is much easier!

[commited]

WOW! You guys are fantastic! I will try the brayer and see what works better. I agree it takes a alittle practice and you also develope your own technique. THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH, for the wonderful ideas, advice and tips. {{{for everyone }}} :

[wiggydl]

I haven't read through all the comments here but I thought i'd let you know what I find helps -- I ink, put cardstock on top and then I use my brayer to roll over top -- this helps keep the pressure the same across the stamp resulting in similar color all over.

Good luck

[StampingShawn]

What I do...when I don't want to drag out my brayer...is rub the stamp pad all over the stamp until it is heavily inked and then pat the pad all over the stamp to "erase" the smooth lines that were left by rubbing the pad. It seems to work for me.

[housefan]

I always lightly sand all my new background stamps. I also think putting ink on the brayer and then inking the stamp with the brayers is the way to go. The sanding is crucial for me.

[Mrs Noofy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbirus

I don't have good success with the brayer but I do rub the pad over the stamp to get ink on it then I tap up and down all over the stamp until it is fully dark and juicy (the pouncing up and down motion keeps the ink even), be sure and look to see how it's inked, then do the paper and hand thing.
At least you can try it until you can get a brayer.

I don't use a brayer either and do as you say by dragging the ink pad first then tapping. I also use the back side of another stamp to gently press and rub the cardstock to the background stamp (which is upside down of course). I guess it works just like a brayer would.

[Chef Mama]

Oh, my, I can't believe no one has mentioned the technique made famous by a stamper here on SCS----BUTT STAMPING! No, you don't ink your rear----you put the cardstock down then the stamp & sit on the stamp! I don't have a flat chair or a short enough table, but I hear it works really well!

[beena]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef Mama

Oh, my, I can't believe no one has mentioned the technique made famous by a stamper here on SCS----BUTT STAMPING! No, you don't ink your rear----you put the cardstock down then the stamp & sit on the stamp! I don't have a flat chair or a short enough table, but I hear it works really well!

I guess that's what you call even pressure....LOL!!

I'll have to try that.

[chrisations.ink]

giggle giggle. Too funny! LOL

I find that I can't be in a hurry when using BG stamps. And I do think some BG stamps look better when they don't have that "perfect coverage" look - helps the design look softer and more natural.

These tips so far have helped us all! TFS

[commited]

Now That is a good one!

[commited]

Thanks so much. I will try that technique. It sounds like a winner!

[jhottman]

I always use a brayer and then place the rubber up, then put card stock down and use a piece of paper over that rubbing the entire card. I have even had people ask me where I got the background paper. A demo even asked me.

[nmslmomto3]

another way to get a nice even coverage on BG stamps is to use craft ink. I had another SCS tell me this, especially for ones like Well Worn Words. Craft ink makes all the difference.

[tjbbhaack]

I turn the samp image side up ink the stamp, then place paper over stamp next I use a large flat item like a book or acrylic stamp block to press on top of the paper. It gives even pressure to the whole stamp image and makes it come out better.

[momis mama]

gotta have a breyer for best results!

[Cynamom]

OMG... my eyes are tired... I was reading the original post on this thread and I thought it said (instead of INK my stamp) I LICK my stamp! I was thinking, "AHhhh... that could be your problem!" Oh my gosh.... too funny!

[Pamstamps2]

Try washing your brayer with a little dish soap and then let it air dry. It might pick up the ink a little better on it. Sometimes they have some sort of oil on them that keeps the ink from going on smoothly.

[DisneyDoll]

Stamp face up, I drag the ink pad on the stamp, then tap (like a couple other people said) to remove the drag lines. Cardstock with a little removable adhesive on the back, printer paper, acrylic block (I have one longer than any SU! stamp) to press on it so I get a good impression. I always get great results.