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TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR WORKING WITH CLEAR STAMPS
December 2008
 
Our Biker Chicks have great advice and suggestions for getting creative with clear stamps. Once you're done working with your stamps, follow some of these great ideas for storing them quickly and efficiently.
 
  • Tip 1
    Store clear stamps in their original sleeves
  • I store my clear acrylic stamps in their original sleeve and use a book ring to attach all of them.
    From Biker Chick Alex Sirugue-MacLeod.

  • Tip 2
    Add instant dimension by stamping on a piece of acetate illustrated
  • Tip 2  
    Stamp on a piece of acetate, cut it out and use as a cool embellishment to add instant dimension to your project. Use a brad or other attachment in the middle of the accent to add more interest--and no adhesive is through!
    From Biker Chick Alex Sirugue-MacLeod.

  • Tip 3
    Use precut acrylic sheets from Lowes to store clear stamps
  • I store my clear stamps on precut acrylic sheets from Lowes and keep them all stacked nicely in a basket.
    From Biker Chick Shawna Webster.

  • Tip 4
    Make designs on clear stamps easier to see by adding a coat of Staz-On™ ink
  • I like to put a coat of Staz-On™ ink on my clear stamps and allow it to dry so it will actually stain the clear rubber and show the design better the permanent ink won't come off the stamp.
    From Biker Chick Shawna Webster.

  • Tip 5
    Change shapes by manipulating acrylic stamps illustrated
  • Tip5Clear stamps are so versatile! Depending on the specific design, some of the LYB clear stamps will allow you to change the shape slightly by simply manipulating the stamp when it's placed onto the acrylic block and stamp as usual.
    From Biker Chick Andrea Beaumont

  • Tip 6
    Keep a container of baby wipes handy to clean stamps during a project
  • I like to clean my clear stamps with mild hand soap and water, but it can sometimes be inconvenient to do while in the middle of some serious stamping. I find it much easier to keep a container of baby wipes handy...they do a terrific job of removing any excess ink or paint so that I can continue creating without interruption!
    From Biker Chick Andrea Beaumont
     
    I love this tip but make sure you use baby wipes without lotion so that they don’t affect the way the ink works the next time!
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss

  • Tip 7
    Clear stamps make layering images easy!
  • Working with clear stamps allows you to more easily see the ?placement of the stamp. So if I'm layering several images, I can instantly see where the next image will be stamped. It's definitely one of the reasons that I love clear stamps so much!
    From Biker Chick Jennifer Gallacher

  • Tip 8
    Store stamps in original packaging for easy recall of stamp set names
  • I keep my LYB clear stamps stored in their original packaging. I ?just open it carefully, slip out the stamp set I want to use, and then slip it back in. Then I can recall the name of the stamp set and the line that it goes with.
    From Biker Chick Andi Beaumont.

  • Tip 9
    Create a storage system with a 3-ring binder, white cardstock and clear CD cases
  • Create a storage system for your acrylic stamps. All you will need is a 3-ring binder with white cardstock and some clear CD cases with some spine labels. When you get a new set of clear stamps, assign it a reference number, and then stamp one of each image onto a single piece of cardstock. Then, label your stamped cardstock with that number. You may also want to label the sheet with the manufacturer and the name of the stamp set. Transfer all the stamps to a clear CD storage case and label the spine with that same number. Store them numerically in a CD tower. When you are looking to add a stamp to your project, it's quite easy to thumb through the image binder and then find your stamp using the number reference system.
    From Biker Chick Tania Willis.

  • Tip 10
    Follow these suggestions if your stamps are losing their tackiness
  • Sometimes your stamps will seem less tacky than when you first purchased them. I've found two solutions:
    • Wash your stamps with a mild soapy water and scrub gently with a toothbrush to remove any dirt or grime, then let them air dry
    • Apply Tack-N-Peel™ to the entire surface of your acrylic blocks. It's a reusable product that stays on your block, but helps the stamps grip better. The Tack-N-Peel can also be washed, as noted in the package directions.

    From Biker Chick Tania Willis.

  • Tip 11
    Use acetate sheets for storing stamps
  • Store your stamps on 8.5 x 11 acetate sheets, then slip those into sheet protectors put into a 3-ring binder. When you are looking for a stamp, it's as easy as flipping through a binder. The stamps are presented nice and neatly and super easy to find!
    From Biker Chick Greta Hammond.

  • Tip 12
    Create backgrounds or larger stamps with several small stamps
  • You can create your own backgrounds or larger stamps from several small ones: arrange several stamps on the block at once to create a larger image. For example, cluster a few flowers together and stamp repeatedly for a background.
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss.

  • Tip 13
    Use an ultra-fine Sharpie to draw lines or grids on clear mounting blocks
  • Draw straight lines or a grid on the backs of your clear mounting blocks with an ultra-fine Sharpie™ pen so that you can line up words, letters or designs neatly and accurately.
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss.

  • Tip 14
    Cut long lines of stamps into small phrases
  • Die-cut papers make for really fun transparency cards! Make a card from a heavy weight transparency sheet, cover a portion of the card front with die cut paper to add visual interest while allowing the recipient to have a ‘sneak peek’ at what’s inside!
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss.

  • Tip 15
    Try simple masking with clear stamps illustrated
  • Tip15 Clear stamps make masking really easy: Stamp an image, then cover the stamped image and stamp over it (for example, to put stamped apples in a stamped basket). To create durable and accurate masks, stamp with permanent ink on transparencies or acetate and cut out just inside the stamped edges (another option is to stamp onto sticky notes, making sure you stamp over the sticky part on the back). Use temporary or repositionable adhesive to hold the mask over the image when stamping over it. Keep your masks with the stamp set so you can find them easily and re-use them.
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss.

  • Tip 16
    Use an emery board or sand paper on your stamps to make lines smooth and even
  • When using clear stamps, especially those that are more ‘solid’ (not a line design) you may find the ink beads up a bit and doesn’t give a smooth, even impression. Sometimes the stamps are too smooth, or have a residue on their surface from the manufacturing process. To easily fix this problem, run a fine grit emery board or sand paper over the stamping surface to rough it up. Clean off any debris, then ink and repeatedly stamp the image, without re-inking, until the image is very faint. Clean off the stamps again and they are ready to use!
    From Biker Chick Renee Foss.


 
 
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