How To Use Clear Stamps

Clear stamps are one of the most versatile tools available with thier unique abililaty to let you see-thorugh for precise palcement or stamping layered designs. They are cost-effective and ideal for crafting, journaling, scrapbooking and more. In this blog post, we'll be talking about how to work with clear stamps - from positioning correctly on acrylic blocks for inking and pressing onto paper and more. By the end of this post, you will know exactly how to make the most out of using clear stamps!

A clear stamp offers precise impressions with its transparent photopolymer or acrylic construction. These stamps stick to clear acrylic blocks and allow you to see through for exact placement. When attached to a clear block, clear stamps work similarly to traditional or wood stamps. However, clear stamps have a slightly tacky texture that helps ink stick to even the most detailed designs, leaving behind a more clear, crisp impression than the distressed look of wood rubber stamps.

1. Peel the stamp off of its backing

2. Stick the stamp to an acrylic block

Many blocks have grid lines to help you with exact placement, or even to place multiple stamps on one block at a time. There are lots of different sizes of acrylic blocks. Try to choose a block that is either the same size as your stamp or just slightly larger to avoid uneven pressure and rocking.

3. Ink the stamp

It often works best to lightly pat the ink pad onto the stamp for even coverage and distribution.

4. Line up the impression

If the stamp block you are using has grid lines, now is the perfect time to utilize those for exact placement.

5. Stamp

Press down firmly for a few seconds to allow the ink to stick to your stamping surface.

Be sure to clean the clear stamp before pulling it off of the block to avoid getting any ink on your hands. Re:Marks Cleaning Solution is great for not only clear stamps, but also wood and traditional rubber stamps, as well as rubber stamp die plates. Spray the solution onto a paper towel, and wipe away the ink from the stamp. Using the solution with a stamp scrubber pad adds a little extra thoroughness.

Alternatively, baby wipes also make a convenient stamp cleaner.

If you are using permanent ink to stamp with, like Stazon ink pads, you will need to use an archival ink cleaner to clean the permeant ink off your stamp. The archival cleaner is specially formulated to be non-toxic and is safe for use on rubber and clear stamps.

If you notice some stubborn ink left behind, don't worry. Clear stamps tend to stain more than red rubber stamps, but it shouldn't affect your stamping impression as long as you clean the stamp after each use.

If your stamps start to lose their stickiness, simply rinse them with a little mild soap and water.

You can store clear stamps by replacing the sticky back onto the backing sheet. Some people also use empty CD cases or plastic albums or wallets.

It's best to keep them in a cool place to avoid the photopolymer or acrylic from melting in high temperatures.