How to Rubber Stamp

Rubber stamps are also a great investment for thrifty crafters. Unlike stickers or rub-on embellishments, rubber stamps can be used multiple times. Once you own a set of stamps, you can use them indefinitely without worrying about an additional expense. In fact, many crafters choose to share their rubber stamp collections with friends to maximize their savings.

Basic Rubber Stamping Supplies

Before you can learn to rubber stamp, you’ll need to gather a few basic supplies. For example:

• Wood mounted or clear acrylic rubber stamps. Deciding which type of stamps to use is mostly a matter of personal preference, but clear acrylic stamps take up less space and make it easier for novice crafters to see where they are stamping. Stamps with fine, intricate details are often more difficult to use than rubber stamps with bolder designs.
• An assortment of ink pads. Black and brown are always good ink color choices, but you may want to customize your selection to suit the colors you use most often in scrapbooking, cardmaking, and other craft projects. Dye ink is typically easiest for beginning crafters to work with, since pigment ink will require embossing powder and a heat gun to set properly. If you are planning to use your rubber stamps for children’s craft projects, choose washable dye ink.
• Markers, chalk, or colored pencils. Many crafters like to fill in their stamped designs with markers, chalk, or colored pencils.
• Stamp cleaner. Properly cleaning your rubber stamps will keep them from becoming damaged and prevent cross-contamination of your ink colors. You can purchase specialized rubber stamp cleaner or scrub your stamps thoroughly with baby wipes or soap and water. An old toothbrush works well for removing stubborn ink stains.

Basic supplies for rubber stamping can be purchased at large craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels Crafts. Crafters interested in learning how to rubber stamp can also shop online with these retailers:

• Addicted to Rubber Stamps
• Rubber Stamping Fun
• Rubber Stamp Store
• The Stampin’ Place

Stamping Tips

Practice is the key to successful stamping, but the task will be easier if you remember the following tips as you’re learning how to rubber stamp:

• Stamping on textured cardstock can be difficult for beginners. For best results, choose paper with a smooth surface.
• To make a crisp impression, press the stamp down firmly and be careful not to wiggle the stamp.
• Many beginners find it’s easier to apply even pressure to rubber stamped images while standing upright.
• If your stamped image has “shadow” marks from the edge of the rubber, use a craft knife to trim the design.
• If you’re stamping several different images on your project, work from top to bottom to avoid accidentally smearing your work.
• Before stamping directly onto your project, practice on a piece of scrap paper.
• Keep stamps away from direct sunlight and high heat to avoid damaging the rubber.
• Store rainbow ink pads on a level surface to keep the colors from running together.

Learning More about How to Rubber Stamp

If you’re interested in learning more about how to rubber stamp, check out the following helpful books for tips, techniques, and sample projects:

• Creative Rubber Stamping Techniques by Maryjo McGraw
• 30 Minute Rubber Stamp Workshop by Sandy McCall
• Rubber Stamp Extravaganza by Vesta Abel
• Glorious Rubber Stamping: Ideas, Tips, and Techniques by Judy Ritchie and Leslie Conron Carola

There are also many websites devoted to the topic of rubber stamping. For example:

• Fabulous Stamp Tips
• Stamping Tips and Techniques
• Glossary of Rubber Stamping Terms