Storing Clear and Cling Mount Stamps out of cases
 

Most of my stamps are from Stampin' Up and in the dvd cases that they come in. I started buying other brands of stamps though and am running out of space for my cases. I saw Jennifer McGuire's system of storing in the Avery Elle cases and think that it would work well in my space. However, I have a bunch of clear mount and some cling mount stamps and another thread that I read last night said to not put these stamps on acetate as it will damage the foam backing over time? So, I'm wondering, is it safe to put these stamps in the AE sleeves? What can I mount them on that will make it easy to pull the set in and out of the sleeve but not damage the stamps? :)

Here's a link to another thread that might give you some of the information you're looking for: Clear sheets for storing photopolymer stamps? - Splitcoaststampers.

I used to religiously switch acetate index sheets for Grafix Dura-Lar sheets with the original index sheet adhered to the back of the Dura-Lar. Then I switched to copying the acetate index sheet and taping the copy onto the Dura-Lar in case the acetate outgassed. I'd email or call companies to ask if their sheets were acetate.

Then I stopped. :shock: It's not that it's not a good idea; I just stopped worrying about it. The exception might be if a stamp became a desert island must-have absolute fave. (Blinds on the window are always closed if I'm not crafting, to keep sun off of stamps.)

The Grafix Dura-Lar is ia 25-sheet 9x12 pad, .005 thickness, and has been used for other things too. Grafix makes various sizes and thicknesses.

I use the Jennifer McGuire system with clear pockets. Stamps are sorted by theme, not company, since I usually think "leaf" more immediately than XYZ Company and want to see all the leaf choices. And this isn't a job where specific stamps should be used to fulfill agreements, or to make sure I'm showing a variety of companies' products to the public. I have no public.

I love the storage pocket system. I buy my pockets on Amazon from Mediaxpo. As far as I can tell, they are identical to the pockets sold by some of the stamp companies but for much less $$. I've used this system for a couple of years so far and haven't had any issues. I buy Ikea Kuggis and Variera boxes to store the pockets. Since all my storage pockets are labeled at the top, it's so easy to flip through them to find the ones I want. I do leave my Stampin Up stamps in the cases since I only buy photopolymer or cling stamps from them anymore.

You can laminate cardstock, cut to size, and store your stamps on there. As far as I know, laminating sheets are acid free, and are fine for storing stamps on. I've been putting mine on them for at least 15 years, and never had an issue.

I also use the laminated sheets in the pockets (I use a different brand, but really the same thing).

Because of the number of stamps I have and the way I have them sorted, I have gone to having cling (rubber with cling foam) in separate envelopes from the photopolymer.

The photopolymer stamps need a cover over the stamps to keep them from sticking to the pockets. I cut up some old safe page protectors to make those covers.

I also love the pocket storage!

And my latest "enhancement"? I use cream colored laminated sheets to store stamps that have matching dies. Then I don't have to guess which ones have dies. The others are on white laminated sheets.

GENIUS!!!

I have them in binders by subject. I use the laminated pages you buy either with tabs or not. I have a 60# CS index facing the page so they are separated and dont stick. Some people keep them by mfg. I cant do that. Too many of them and I wont remember all the birthday ones.