| As a rubber stamper, unmounted rubber stamps may | | | | craft stores. Another popular option that I use is vinyl |
| have caught your eye at some point. As their name | | | | cling, which works with acrylic mounts. Using static |
| suggests, these are stamp images only, that need to | | | | electricity, the vinyl cling material acts as its own kind of |
| be placed on a holder before you can stamp the | | | | sticky cushion, which attaches the block and rubber |
| image. If you are planning to build a rubber stamp | | | | stamp together. Yet another popular system is a hook |
| collection, you may want to try out unmounted rubber | | | | and loop system called the HALOS system, which |
| stamps. They are less expensive, and do not take up | | | | requires special materials. |
| nearly as much space as traditional mounted stamps. | | | | Before you get started, you'll want to trim your stamp |
| You can store them in a flat surface, such as in a | | | | with scissors, being careful not to cut into the stamp |
| protective sheet in a three ring binder, and numerous | | | | image. If using foam, you'll also want to trim the foam |
| other storage options. | | | | before mounting it to the block, making sure the foam |
| Unmounted rubber stamps consist of the stamp | | | | edges match the block edges. If the foam edges are |
| artwork, sometimes with a bit of a cushion underneath. | | | | peaking out of the block, the edges of the foam may |
| The stamp is then mounted on a block, either wooden, | | | | pick up ink and spoil your image. Once everything is |
| or what I prefer, the clear acrylic blocks for temporary | | | | trimmed, place the foam on the block, and then the |
| mounting. When finished using the stamp, you can | | | | stamp image on the foam, and you are ready to ink |
| easily take the stamp off the mount and store it again. | | | | and stamp. |
| I'll be discussing temporary mounting options, as they let | | | | Its important to clean your stamps before putting them |
| you take advantage of the ease and convenience of | | | | away. The best way is with a bottle of specialty |
| flat storage. | | | | stamp cleaner with a roll-on applicator. You can just roll |
| The supplies for mounting a stamp are relatively | | | | it onto the stamp and wipe away. Another option is to |
| simple. You'll need some type of adhesive, a block that | | | | wipe the stamp with a damp cellulose sponge. Do not |
| fits the size of your image, and your stamping supplies. | | | | soak the stamp in any type of oil-based cleaner, as |
| Repositional glue, such as a re-tacking glue you can | | | | this will weaken the rubber. For creativity, and ease of |
| use over and over is popular, and can be purchased at | | | | storage and use, give unmounted rubber stamps a try. |