PTI dies and stamps.

[Zoie]

Does anyone know of a successful way to stamp these straight? I have tried everything I can think of and it usually takes at least two tries. I sure wish they were the stamp first cut second kind!

[Stamper for fun]

Try using a different color scrap piece of paper under the die cut - it makes it easier to see where you are stamping. For example if you are stamping on a die cut in white try putting a bright or dark color paper under it.

You can do the stamp first cut second method. Cut your image with the die with a scrap piece of paper. Take the negative piece and line it up to the stamped image with side spaces equally. Hold it in place and put the die into the negative piece so that it does not move. You can use yellow sticky or repositionable scotch tape to hold it in place and then run it through your cutting machine. If you plates for your machine are not warped you may not even need to a sticky or tape to hold it in place.

Hope this makes sense.

[stampertammy]

Try cutting out the die with a scrap piece of cardstock, then use it to line up over your stamped image. I even tape the edges sometimes to keep it from moving. Then you can kind of "wiggle" the die around inside the cut-out in the scrap until it fits into place to get it perfectly lined up! HTH!

[CaptainCaffeine]

I didn't know this about PTI dies, like the Flip Flop? You have to cut the cardstock first, THEN stamp? Why not the other way around? Are they dies like Nesties or more like Sizzlits?

[Stamper for fun]

They are not like Nesties -- it's all metal -- no opening.

[CaptainCaffeine]

So you can't see where the paper is before running it through a Big Shot, right? Can someone post a photo of a die so I can get an idea of what it's like? (I was about to buy 2-3 dies from PTI but now I'm not sure.)

[Zoie]

You cut first and then stamp. I am not good at getting them straight. I didn't mean to discourage anyone from buying them. They are reasonably priced and work well. I was just
hoping for tips on how to get them centered.

[CaptainCaffeine]

I guess I'm spoiled with SU punches: stamp image, line up under the punch and squeeze. I love PTI's Jane Austen set and wanted to get the dies that go with them. I'm not discouraged, but I am forewarned in case I'm not so patient. I don't even like using a Stampamajig unless I really have to.

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by Zoie

You cut first and then stamp. I am not good at getting them straight. I didn't mean to discourage anyone from buying them. They are reasonably priced and work well. I was just
hoping for tips on how to get them centered.

Here is a video showing clear stamps and a great little gadget called the Fiskars Stamp Press. It makes a wonderful difference to use this when lining up clear stamps on die cuts. Check it out:

Getting the Best Results with your Acrylic Stamps - YouTube

It's also good to use with clear stamps for regular stamping to paper instead of the standard acrylic blocks.

[cat_woman]

When I have a piece that I've cut first and want to stamp, I use my sticky mat for my Craft Robo to hold it in place then I use my stamp-a-ma-jig to line it up. If you don't have a sticky mat, then you could tape it down, but the stamp-a-ma-jig works wonders for lining up you image.

[caseynicole88]

my acrylic block has a grid pattern on it so i line up my stamp on the blog evenly..then i have a mat that has the same sized grid pattern on it and i line my die cut evenly up on my mat... it also helps to set yourself up above the image so you can see it all clearly- they are all clear stamps so you can for the most part see through them to the paper..

[wanda50]

It also helps to stand up when stamping as well. I find I get a better view that way.

[Bahb]

I've just been using the Harvest Berries and Enjoy the Ride dies and stamps. For Enjoy the Ride, I cut the cars and then stamp them. You really do need to stand up because if you don't place the stamp exactly right, you miss getting the line across the top of the car. It's easier to be sure you are going to get that line when you look from directly above your work.

The Harvest Berries are difficult because the stems are really slender, whether you cut or stamp first. I was less frustrated when I cut before I stamped. I did more trimming of the die-cuts than I would like to have done, because the margins on the dies that are meant to go with certain stamps are wider than I like when fussy-cutting images. To get a BETTER look than the fussy-cut look is what I expect from a die, because my fussy-cutting looks like Grade One Art Project.

I love the PTI dies and impression plates, actually. My favorite die is the apple. I cut the apples using glossy red or green cardstock, then cut the stem and leaf part of matte green paper, trim it and glue it to the apple stem and leaf. A grid of these on black and white gingham is really cute.

My favorite impression plate is the plaid. It makes a perfect subtle background for masculine cards, especially.

Life before die-cutting and embossing......good thing we didn't realize how boring that was. Stampaholism at work!

Bahb