| Stamping has been around for a long time, and has | | | | scrap piece of paper, and return it to the bottle, so that |
| always referred to marking of some kind. It's not until | | | | you can reuse the extra powder. Now, you'll want to |
| recent in history has the rubber stamp come into play. | | | | turn your embossing gun on and hold it directly above |
| No one is sure who invented the rubber stamp, since | | | | your design. Don't hold the gun in one place too long, as |
| there have been multiple people to claim the invention | | | | this will burn the paper. Make sure to heat the design |
| of this incredible remarkable marking device. Since, the | | | | evenly, and only do so until the powder has melted, |
| history is so dubbed in mystery, and is very boring, we | | | | because after the powder has melted, the next thing |
| shall not discuss it here. But, it is noteworthy to say | | | | to heat is the paper, which will burn. Another tip is that |
| that the rubber stamping industry has its roots in the | | | | you don't need to move the gun around rapidly, just |
| dental area, because the dentists began using the | | | | move it slowly and surely around your design until you |
| vulcanized rubber for the making and molding of false | | | | have melted all the powder. |
| teeth, as it was easier than the gold and brass teeth | | | | Another really useful technique that you can use along |
| that were previously being used, and that we can | | | | with you rubber stamping is masking. Masking is a |
| thank the accidental discovery of Charles Goodyear | | | | rather simple technique that has been growing in |
| for the vulcanized rubber for when he dropped it on | | | | popularity as of late. First, you must stamp your |
| the stove. | | | | chosen stamp onto a piece of paper. Next, you cut out |
| Rubber stamping itself, though, first shows up in the | | | | the stamp, paying super close attention to the details |
| history books until the early 1900s, and it still has the | | | | of the stamp. You are going to want to cut right on |
| same technique as it did 100 years ago. First, you ink | | | | the lines of the stamp for this technique to look the |
| your stamp completely, by tapping (not rubbing or | | | | best. Next, you are going to want to tape the cut out |
| smearing) it softly on rubber dye. Once the dye is | | | | stamp up with masking tape, and then place it on the |
| evenly spread out, you turn over the stamp and press | | | | piece of paper that you are going to be using for your |
| it firmly onto the surface you are stamping, whether it | | | | project. We don't want our stamp to be on the paper |
| is a piece of paper or something else entirely. You | | | | permanently, though, so avoid glue at all costs. Now, |
| must make sure of two things while doing this: you | | | | using stamp pads or sponges, you can make a |
| must be stamping onto an even surface, and you | | | | background. You can use any techniques for the |
| definitely should not rock the stamp as you apply it, | | | | background, as this doesn't affect the masking at all. |
| because this will cause unevenness and deformities in | | | | When you are finished with the background, you can |
| your stamp that will look absolutely atrocious. | | | | take the stamp of, and the paper behind the |
| Rubber stamping looks fine by itself, but to really bring | | | | background will show through, which if you ask me, is |
| the best out in your creations there are other | | | | a really neat effect. |
| techniques to use along it, which really give it a nice | | | | Masking can also be combined with a technique |
| touch. One such technique is embossing. Embossing is | | | | known as Direct-To-Paper, which is mostly used to |
| the process of creating three-dimensional images or | | | | create backgrounds. Direct-To-Paper can be |
| designs ductile materials such as paper. Embossing a | | | | accomplished using the small Cat's Eye pigment pads, |
| rubber stamping design can give your a 360 view and | | | | and by brushing or tapping ink lightly onto the surface |
| feel nothing like rubber stamping alone can produce. In | | | | of the card stock. You can also combine different |
| order to emboss you creation, you must do it while it is | | | | colors, and try brushing using different stokes to |
| still wet, other wise the embossing won't work. | | | | produce beautiful background papers for any stamp or |
| Depending on the absorbency of the paper you are | | | | mask. When done correctly, the effect produced will |
| using, you can use pigment ink, dye ink, and markers to | | | | normally look leafy or grainy, but you can make it look |
| emboss. The use of regular card stock produces the | | | | however your heart desires as well. Stamping on top |
| best results when using pigment inks. Before | | | | of the background with metallic inks also produces a |
| embossing, you want to put a scrap piece of paper | | | | wondrous effect. |
| under the cardstock. Then, stamp using the technique | | | | If you are new to rubber stamping, a great way to |
| explained before, and quickly pour the powder onto | | | | start is by buying an inexpensive rubber stamping kit, |
| your design. You want to completely cover the image | | | | which will normally include all of the supplies and tools |
| with the powder, and the tap the excess off onto the | | | | you will need to begin making stylish creations. |