I'm an awful stamper...what am I doig wrong?

Ok so my newest buying obsession is buying supplies for card making as well as stamping on my layouts. Typical sber I've now got a notebook full of stamps, numerous inks and dies and have hardly made anything. Part of the issue is I have trouble getting a clean good stamp when I do try. I'm not sure if it's my ink pads most of which are the minis , some distress and some ctmh. I have all clear stamps of various brands. Do I need to do something with my stamps before I use them? Why am I not getting good coverage on my stamps? Do I need to stamp on a particular surface? Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? Any hints for successful stamping? I feel like an idiot

Uneven stamping is the main reason I first came to this thread. A small fortune in stamps and inks and hit-and-miss stamping results. I recently bought a mat to go under the paper that I'm stamping and I can't believe the difference! I tried using a mouse pad underneath, but it didn't help much, but this new mat has given me great stamping results.

I have the one by Sizzix, but there are ones by other companies.

pressure over the entire stamps surface is a big deal. I can stamp one stamp and color it fine but adding stamps together or doing backgrounds has always been a real challenge. I have ruined so many things trying to add a sentiment. I started stamping them and gluing them on to my cards instead of stamping directly to the card. Some companies have acrylic blocks with handles for better pressure. Like judy said above a foam mat underneath can help. I recently bought a MISTI stamping tool and it has changed everything. It is a pricey tool but has made stamping so easy. You can check out some you tube videos on it if you want. Its the Misti stamping tool.

Andrea, have you had any problems with cracking of the Misti like I've seen people talk about on FB? I guess a different production crew took over and the newer ones aren't supposed to crack, or at least not as much. I almost talk myself into buying one, then read more about the cracking.

Oh that's scary. $50.00 plus $10 in S&H is a lot to spend to have it crack. I hope she is making good on those that have cracked. I really want one but I don't want to spend that kind of money on something I wouldn't use often enough to get my monies worth. Now if I made cards faithfully, I wouldn't blink an eye at the cost.

From what I have read, the woman is quickly replacing the cracked ones, but still it seems like a hassle, and how long will she keep doing it? Hopefully the newer ones don't have that problem, but I don't want to spend the money until I know for sure~

My first one cracked. I emailed her and she sent a new one that day. I even kept the cracked one. its not huge cracks it just little spider cracks on the edge.

Thanks I'll look for that pad. Another purchase is just what I need lol. Tonight is a good example of my incompetence. I got my card kit from Simon Says and copied one of their designs. I messed everything up. None of the stamps worked that well and I wasted so many supplies. I even lost one of the tiny stamps in the set already. I'm so frustrated! I love the idea of the Misti but at this time Im not spending that much more money .i guess I need to keep practicing

Rnruns, do you have a friend who stamps that could show you her technique? Or a craft store near you that sells stamps and could demonstrate their technique? Sometimes it is only small details that make a big difference and it might be easier to be shown than to read how to do it? I looked for a YouTube clip for you that shows how to stamp but couldn't seem to find one.

Rnruns. It is a big expense and when you are frustrated with stamping you do not want to spend more. Really practice working on pressure when pushing down on your stamps. I push down and then push with my fingers in all spots of the stamps. It takes practice but you will get it.

How do you like your sss kits. I am thinking about joining?

I LOVE my misti!!!! It is awesome, well worth the money.

I would also suggest looking at the stamps you use. Cheaper stamps don't tend to stamp well. I am a Stampin' Up demo, and love their stamps and ink. But there are other companies as well. When you go with some of the products from one of the stamping companies like SU and other, the products WORK with each other. It is more expensive at first, but the results are so much better.

You mentioned distressed inks, I had the TH ones. I loved the colors but I was never able to stamp with them. I am sure it was user error, but distress inks for me have always been for accents and techniques, not for straight stamping....again, this is just me.

I love stamping now, but it took a little while for me to feel comfortable with it. I have a big piece of foam I keep on my craft table, and I stamp most things on that. It's amazing how the little things can make a big difference: the stamps, the ink, the paper.

If it's a new stamp, you might try rubbing a white eraser over it before you use it - it sort of prepares it for use. I also do a lot of "practice stamps" on scratch paper before I actually stamp on my project. Also, if you aren't already, try putting the stamp face-up on your work surface and pounce the ink on the stamp - not the stamp on the ink pad. You'll get better ink coverage this way - especially if you're using mini ink pads.

My best suggestion for avoiding ruined projects and wasted cardstock is to not stamp on your actual card. I use less expensive plain white cardstock for nearly all of my stamping. I will either cut down the paper to a little smaller than the card, so the card-base gives it a nice frame, or I will die-cut the image with a matching die or just a fancy-edged square or circle. Sometimes I "fussy-cut" the image out with scissors. If it's a sentiment, I'll make a little banner or tag shape for it. That way, if the stamping doesn't come out well, I've only wasted a small piece of plain white CS, and not ruined my whole card. (And if you add a little foam adhesive under the parts, you can give your cards more dimension.)

Happy Stamping! :-)

Thanks for the good suggestions. I guess I just need to keep practicing . I don't know anyone irl anymore who stamps or scrapbooks...kind of sad. I have watched a lot of you tube videos and will continue to do so. I think I have good quality stamps and inks...mostly ctmh or Simon says stamps and ctmh and Simon Says stamps. I love the Simon Says card kit. You get so much for the price.

i just signed up for the sss kits, i cant wait

you are not doing anything wrong-YOU ARE LEARNING...we all began trying to stamp with perfect results the 1st time! I use a stamper pad underneath my paper like Darice makes a specific for stamping and a fiskar stamp press. The stamp press is about $14 but you can use coupons @ Hobby Lobby, cloth world or Michaels for 40% off. The stamp press applies even pressure & is great as I have arthritis in my hands. Use quality paper not value pack type as absorbency is different. IMPROTANT-have fun

Here is some of what I have learned over the years. Now if I could just remember to practice it.
You need a good cushion either in back of the stamp or under the paper. Red rubber stamps usually have a cushion and the cling stamps don't.
Even pressure, for large blocks use a different large block (wood to wood) to equalize the pressure.
Stamp, count to 10 and release. The rubber will release faster than the paper can adsorb.
Repetitive stamping, clean your stamp every 4 or 5 uses so you won't get splotches.
And my biggest problem; concentrate on what you are doing.

I made my own stamping tool out of material I already. It is on my blog if you are interested. All of the above advice is great. Perhaps some cushions under the stamps will help.

What a great work around. And no flak? I was threatened with huge lawsuits when I posted mine.
I am still trying to figure out the need for the grid. Your paper covers the grid inside. If you work on a cutting mat, it has a grid.

Nope no flak. I did not use the name of the original and the design is a slightly different. I don't understand how you were told to take yours down. From what I saw Don1, you didn't infringe on anything nor are you selling it. I will eventually make a permanent one. I like the grid on the lid to make sure the stamp is straight. Other than that, I agree!

I agree with putting a cushioning underneath. If you have an old mouse pad for the computer laying around try that. That works great.

I have heard you need to "season" your stamp and Jennifer McGuire has recommended using a pink eraser to rub the surface of acrylic stamps.

I have had good success using a magazine or mouse pad to stamp on. Try applying even pressure too.

Good luck!

I've found several inexpensive tricks for my clear stamps. After I purchase them, I test them. If the ink seems to be bubbling up and not adhering to the stamp, I use a pencil eraser on the stamp side briskly. Then I rinse off and dry the rubber pieces from the eraser. That roughens the stamp enough that the ink will adhere to the stamp. When I want to stamp, I always use either a mouse pad or some sheets of fun foam under the paper I want to stamp on. That helps to create an even surface and allows you to press down both evenly and firmly for a nice dark, complete print. I cannot afford a misti right now. It's way out of my budget. But lots of the folks that stamp have made their own stamp tools and put videos on You Tube. (I think some are people from this site) I found one there and made it for myself. It works alright, but not great. Someday, I'll save up my pennies for a Misti, perhaps!

I love the MISTI tool for stamping. Just remember it doesn't work with wood block stamps only cling and photopolymer style.

Love the Sizzix Stamp Mat!! It makes a world of difference. I also love my MISTI, it is awesome to line up your stamps and be able to reproduce multiples of the same exact card, invitation or anything you need several of. The key to getting a good result is to use an ink like Momento in black and stamp, re-ink and stamp again several times on a scrap sheet of paper. This will help the stamp itself to hold your ink when trying to do your projects. Good luck and Happy Stamping!!!