| The unique qualities of clear acrylic stamps make them | | | | imprints to achieve the same results with one acrylic |
| a perfect choice for scrapbooking. Stamping on | | | | block. While you can use your clear art stamps |
| scrapbook pages has always been a challenge. | | | | individually, the ability to peel and stick to a large acrylic |
| Placing the stamp and avoiding excess ink are a few | | | | block makes it easy to stamp entire phrases or |
| of the concerns that keep most scrapbookers from | | | | scenes with one stamp. Just choose your stamps and |
| trying stamping techniques on their page layouts, but | | | | arrange them all on one clear mount. They can even |
| now with the availability of clear acrylic stamps, | | | | be from different stamp manufacturers. It's even |
| anyone can get fantastic results from stamps on their | | | | possible to cut portions of one stamp apart and |
| scrapbooking pages. | | | | arrange them in a different pattern for stamping or use |
| Clear acrylic stamps, also called polymer stamps, are | | | | only a part of the stamp. Clear art stamps offer much |
| different from traditional wood block or foam-backed | | | | more versatility and functionality than rubber stamps. |
| rubber stamps. They are more economical because | | | | Because new stamps tend to resist ink, many |
| they are not pre-mounted. Clear stamps are naturally | | | | scrapbookers recommend conditioning your clear |
| tacky and stick to an acrylic block. They are easily | | | | stamps before you use them the first time. Some use |
| removed allowing you to reuse the block again and | | | | a fine grit sandpaper and others prefer a pink eraser. |
| again. You simply purchase unmounted clear stamps | | | | Simply, scuffthe surface of a brand new stamp. This |
| from any manufacturer, and these work with any clear | | | | will help it to hold ink more effectively. After stamping |
| acrylic mount. Buy a larger mount first that can be | | | | with ink, clean it with mild soap and water or rubbing |
| used with both small and large stamps. These stamps | | | | alcohol. Avoid oil-based cleaners, acetone and bleach |
| are also much easier to store, and because they are | | | | because these can damage and break down your |
| acrylic, they are lightweight and easy to transport to | | | | stamp. Some scrapbookers have difficulty getting a |
| scrapbooking crops or classes. | | | | crisp image from clear polymer stamps. To improve |
| Using clear stamps with scrapbooking couldn't be | | | | the quality of the ink impression, try using a |
| easier. Choose from words, designs and image clear | | | | cushioned-surface under your scrapbooking paper. A |
| stamps, and peel and stick them to an acrylic block. | | | | soft mouse pad works well for this purpose. Using this |
| Now you're ready to start stamping. Because the | | | | cushioning effect may take a bit of practice, but the |
| block and stamp are transparent, you can see exactly | | | | results will be worth it. |
| where you want to place the imprint. No more | | | | Be sure to store your clear stamps in a dark place |
| misaligned prints! You will have precise placement | | | | away from sunlight or indoor lighting. Light can discolor |
| every time and no more guesswork or stamping | | | | and harden them prematurely. Some inks can stain |
| mistakes. | | | | them, but this won't affect their use. Because they are |
| Another unique feature of clear acrylic stamps is the | | | | polymer based, one downside is that they do not last |
| ability to mix and match them. With wood and rubber | | | | as long as rubber stamps will, but with proper care and |
| stamps you have to realign your stamps to use more | | | | storage, you will get years of scrapbooking with quality |
| than one stamp together. It takes at least 2 stamping | | | | images from your clear stamps. |