| Rubber stamping is a fun and versatile hobby that is | | | | together. If you plan on decorating the image with |
| gaining new interest thanks to scrapbooking, card | | | | colored pencils, chalk or glitter later on, you may want |
| making and other paper arts. With rubber stamps, you | | | | to choose black or gray as the outline color so your |
| simply transfer an image onto any paper surface by | | | | colors will show up better. |
| pressing down on the back of the stamp. By using | | | | Many people start using stamps by pressing the stamp |
| different types of inks, additives and other craft | | | | down into the ink pad and then pressing it on the |
| elements, you can easily transform basic rubber | | | | paper. The only problem with this is that it leaves you |
| stamps and paper into beautiful projects. | | | | with too much ink on the stamp, which can result in |
| If you've never used rubber stamps before, you need | | | | smudging on your paper. A solution to this problem is |
| to know that there are three basic types of stamps. | | | | to turn the stamp over so the rubber faces you and |
| Wood-mounted stamps are attached to a small piece | | | | then, holding your ink pad in the other hand, lightly press |
| of wood, which you press on to create the image. | | | | the ink onto the stamp in short strokes. This way you'll |
| Foam-mounted stamps are attached to foam in a | | | | get even coverage without the risk of smudging. |
| similar manner. Foam-mounted stamps are normally | | | | If you want a lighter intensity stamp, press the stamp |
| cheaper, but they can be harder to use. Unmounted | | | | once on some practice paper and then press the |
| stamps are adhered to blocks of wood or plastic each | | | | image on your project paper. If not, simply press the |
| time you use them, and then transferred back to a | | | | stamp on your project paper with even pressure. Don't |
| storage sheet after cleaning. Unmounted stamps give | | | | press too hard. Your pressure should be firm and |
| you the most control over your stamp's placement, | | | | even, but you shouldn't have to exert a lot of force. |
| and are great for alphabets because you can adhere | | | | After you've made your stamp, let the ink completely |
| all of the letters of a word to the block at the same | | | | dry before you try to add color. This is unless you are |
| time. | | | | using embossing powder. Embossing powder will make |
| No matter what kind of stamps you buy, they all work | | | | your ink rise slightly so it is raised when you touch it. |
| in generally the same way. You'll want to start | | | | This is kind of like the treatment that is used on |
| collecting decorative paper, blank cards and other | | | | business cards. Embossing powder needs to be |
| paper products to use as your project surfaces. You | | | | added while the ink is still wet and then heated with a |
| can stamp scrapbook pages, bookmarks, and memo | | | | craft dryer. |
| pads. The possibilities are endless. | | | | Using rubber stamps is a fun and versatile hobby. You |
| Once you decide what type of project you want to | | | | can get stamps in a wide variety of styles and motifs. |
| complete, select your stamp and your ink. There are | | | | The best part about it is that with just a little bit of |
| inks in every color, including gold and silver. You can | | | | practice, it's easy to become a rubber stamping pro. |
| use one color at a time, or you can blend several | | | | |