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Rubber stamps are an
easy and rewarding way to add images to your artwork. ARTchix Studio
produces wonderful vintage photo-art rubber stamps that may be used in a
variety of artwork including but not limited to Artist Trading Cards,
cards, altered books, etc.
Trimming and Mounting your Stamps
As these rubber
stamps are unmounted and in a sheet, you will need to trim them. They are
easily cut with a good pair of scissors but don’t use your sewing scissors
as it may dull them. Trim close to the image but be careful not to damage
the images when trimming them.
These stamps may be mounted on wood blocks (Contact
Soc's Blocks for mounting kits that are perfect for these
stamps). Or they may be
temporarily mounted on acrylic blocks. If using acrylic blocks, you can
temporarily mount them using a water based glue stick or double sided
tape. If using a glue stick, use one that washes off easily so that stamp
and acrylic block can be cleaned after using.
Storing your Stamps
Do not store stamps
in the sunlight as this may damage the stamps and/or dry them out. Store
in a cool, dark place.
Recommended Inks
Permanent inks are
usually recommended for photo-art images as they give a much clearer
stamped image than you can achieve with pigment based inks. A few good
inks include Memories, Versafine and Staz-on (as this is an alcohol based
ink, read precautions on packaging before using). Stamps should be
cleaned with a good stamp cleaner after using to remove ink and residue.
Keep in mind that stamps will usually stain when using permanent inks but
this does not effect how the stamp works.
How to Stamp
Photo-art images
stamp much differently that other types of images. They require even
pressure to produce all the detail of the stamp. Always practice on scrap
paper first before using on a project as they all stamp differently and
may require different amounts of pressure depending on size and detail of
image. You may wish to add a mouse pad underneath your paper to give more
cushion as you stamp the image.
Recommended Papers
You can stamp these
images on either matte or glossy cardstock. Glossy cardstock will give a
“cleaner” image that looks like a photo. You may wish to experiment to
get the look you are achieving.
Ideas for Using your Stamps
Stamp images on
plain cardstock (either glossy or matte)
Stamp images on
paper that has been sponged with variety of colors of inks
Stamp images on
patterned paper (scrapbook paper works great for this as some of the
pattern will show through stamped image)
Brayer glossy
cardstock before stamping with photo art stamps
Using a rubber brayer, ink brayer well
with dye ink (Big and Juicy large pads work well for this – great colors
and they are large pads which make them easy to use a brayer with). Place glossy cardstock on scrap piece of paper (larger than glossy
piece). Roll brayer onto glossy paper with firm pressure. Depending on how bright you would like the paper, you may have to
re-ink brayer and repeat. Let paper dry before stamping images or cutting paper
Making Artist Trading Cards with your Stamps
ATCs is the short
form for “Artist Trading Cards”. These are fun “mini works of art” that
are created in small scale – 2 ˝ by 3 ˝ inches. These are created by
artists to trade with other artists to share their work and inspire
others. ATCs
may be created in any style you choose. You may wish to experiment with
different backgrounds on your ATC before adding the photo art rubber stamp
or you can stamp the image on other cardstock/paper, trim and add to ATC. Then
add embellishments and collage elements to give your ATC a finished look.
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Free Class:
Rubber Stamping 101 by Kelly Burton
