Problem with clear stamps

I seem to be having a really hard time getting a clear, crisp image with my clear stamps (you know, the kind you stick to the acrylic blocks). I have tried rubbing them with an eraser as I have seen suggested and that hasn't helped... maybe the wrong type of eraser?

Any hints for me??

I've heard some people scuff the stamps on their jeans before inking them. Have you tried different types of ink? Chalk vs. pigment vs. hybrid vs. alcohol might make a difference. I have lots of acrylic stamps but still prefer rubber and have gone back to buying only rubber (unmounted) stamps.

Lisa

Archival black ink. And don't press hard.

I have found that all clear stamps are not created equal....even with light pressure, the stamp still smooshes and the images are not crisp..

As mentioned, all clear stamps are not the same quality. For some I only have luck with pigment ink or chalk inks. Others I have are better and I can use any ink. The other thing I always do with clear stamps, is put something under the paper to cushion the stamp. I use an old mouse pad. I've also used a sheet of foam. It really helps!

Not all clear stamps are equal, that is true.

I use a SUPER fine grain sandpaper and sand the stamps. If you buy a stamp, and ink it, look at the ink on the acrylic, if it is tiny bubbles of ink then your image will be smeary, it should be a more even coating. Just a really quick light swipe with fine sandpaper will smooth out the stamp surface without damaging it. If the ink is pretty smooth, you don't have to sand it. Tim Holtz and Prima I can usually use right from the box, but it is good to test it first. Use a scrap piece to check it.

Great tips everyone, thanks! I won't give up hope on them yet...

Also, good to know about the Tim Holtz stamps, I've been wanting to get them, but with all the troubles I've been having I was a little scared to.

I have the best luck with the suggestion someone else mentioned,,,,I MUST put something with a bit of give under my paper,,,,,,a mouse pad, a telephone book,,,,,SOMETHING.

And I totally agree, not all stamps are created equal,,,,

When people mention the eraser it needs to be one of the old fashioned pink ones because they are slightly abrasive to remove the film on them. I use a nail file or sand paper when this happens. So far its only happened on studio G or fiskars stamps. My CTMH and inkadinkado stamps have been fine. A pigment stamp pad or a spongy type pad will also work without removing the film if you don't have time. In fact when I used a pigment pad I didn't realize some of my stamps had this.

thats odd,,,,my fiskars stamps have always given excellent prints right out of the package,,,I'd say some of the best, actually,,,,,weird.

Get an old mouse pad and use it as a cushion each and every time you stamp with a clear stamp. If there is no cushioning under the stamp itself as it would have on a wooden block, you have to create the cushioning elsewhere, i.e. under the surface you will be stamping on.

putting a cushion helps alot but some stamps have a film that prevents the ink from sticking properly.

If you get true photopolymer clear stamps (like CTMH, My Favourite Things, Clear Art Stamps just to name a few brands), there should be no need to "condition" them. The cheaper clear stamps (like Studio G, and Fiskars) are made of silicone and the reason they don't take ink well is because they are made in a mould and the release agent leaves a residue on the stamp. Photopolymer stamps use UV light to harden the resin to create the raised areas of the stamp so there is no residue on these types of stamps. You shouldn't use an abrasive on any of the photopolymer stamps. A photopolymer stamp is as high quality and will stamp as cleanly as any rubber stamp with any type of ink. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a photopolymer stamp and a cheap silicone one is the smell. Unfortunately, the photopolymer ones have a very strong smell. Photopolymer stamps also stamp better because they are also not "squishy" like the silicone stamps if the resin used has the proper durometer (hardness). I have hundreds of all types of stamps (rubber, silicone, photopolymer, foam) and I love them all.

Wow! That's some great info Cat. I'm off to sniff my stamps now...

CTMH acrylic stamps come with s thin sheet of foam you can use under your paper, and they also have a mat you can buy that is even more convenient. As mentioned above, there are things you may already have available that will work.

Good tips so far. I've never rubbed, sanded, conditioned, or done anything to my clear stamps, except use.

I'm not a big stamper, and I guess I'm not very picky, because mine seem okay.

I did find this video very helpful. http://www.scrapbook.com/videos/887.html

Wowza ladies! Great info in this thread!!

Here's my 2 cents for what its worth....I agree not all clear stamps are equal!! The cheaper ones are just that - cheap and don't work as well.

I always stamp on a padded surface. You can get some fun foam at a craft store and use that. I use the grid pad of 100 sheets of paper from Stampin Up - its also my scratch/practice pad and I can tear off the cover sheet and throw away - but I digress. A magazine or mouse pad is great too.

I've used white erasers on my clear stamps and its helped on the cheaper ones.

I think there is a different "feel" to clear stamps when pressing to the paper vs rubber. Don't press as hard with clear or it smudges some. A light even press should work.

As to ink - I use stayzon - Momento(my fav for brown and black) and stampin up classic. All work great.

Hope this was helpful! Andrea

I have great results with clear stamps as long as I use non-dye based inks. I have linked to some here in the store that I love!

I totally agree that all are not created equal, and that using a thick mousepad or other similar surface helps.

I also had a dealer tell me not to totally clean the ink from the stamp. She said that after you stamp your image, then stamp off some of the excess ink on a spare piece of paper and leave the rest. It gives the new ink something to grab when you go to reink it and stamp again. So, that's what I've been doing and I haven't had any issues. FWIW, I use memento or cats eye inks.

I also use the thin piece of foam that comes with ctmh stamps underneath for a little "give" and don't press hard. I had lots of problems with using chalk ink pads. I like my ctmh pads best. But my petal points do a good job, too!

• Bxr-Linda Said:

Thanks for that. I was going to use my water based inks but will make a point of using the other types.

I agree thatc all stamps are not created equal to!, If you realy want some GREAT acrylic stamps, I say buy Technique Tuesday brand, they're the best brand bar none!!, in my opinion, they work great with just about all inks!!

i know not all stamps are created equal. i use rubber blocked ones and the acrylic ones. I don't really have a fav of the two. i love them all. just keep trying things out. i just did two lo's with stamping on them and they are in my gallery if you want to see them.

• Bxr-Linda Said:

GREAT tip!! Thanks so much!

I only use Staze on ink for all my stamping and I am always happy with the results.

Every once in a while I run across a stamp that just won't hold ink and leaves a real blotchy impression. I've always just lightly sanded them and they're fine. I have one right now though that is being real stubborn so I'll have to give the eraser a shot. Thanks.

• bonprof Said:

One caveat here. You don't want to use Staz-on if you use Copics. They'l bleed into the markers. They're both alcohol ink.

speaking of stamps... on a side subject.
I was given a set of unmounted StampinUp stamps recently, it was unopened and had the stamps still in the rubber sheet, and had a set of stickers... I assumed the stickers are supposed to go on the reverse side of the stamp. Well, if I apply the sticker to the rubber, the stamps don't stick to the acrylic block any more!
what's the catch?

That's a big problem with the clear mount rubber from Stampin Up. I just don't apply the stickers.

I haven’t had any problems with the stamped image and I have even bought the really cheap stamps from China.
The only problem I have had, ( but not with the stamps from Nina) is that the stamp doesn’t take the ink and the color is all blotchy ....
And honestly, I would be afraid to try using sandpaper, consiseringbhos delicate some of the images are.
There has to be a better solution that using sandpaper on stamps!

Hi I found using very fine sandpaper did the trick. I purchase rather cheap stamps.
Cathy

Get thee over to M's or J's or HL and buy a red rubber pad to use as a stamp pad. Successful stamping needs rubber to work properly.