Rubber Stamping

June 4, 2008 4:46 pm jparker Rubber Stamping

There are two simple and straightforward ways to create a clean,
sharp image using a stamp. The first uses a rubberstamp and an inkpad
while the second replaces an inkpad with water-based color markers.

Supplies Needed

Rubberstamp
Ink Pad
Surface to Stamp

Step-by-Step

Stamp and Ink Pad

Your ink can be dye or pigment ink.
Tap the rubberstamp to the surface of the inkpad several times. Check stamp to make sure the entire image is evenly inked. Lightly tap to the inkpad because using a heavy hand will cause damage to the pad over time and over-ink your image.
You can also tap the inkpad to your rubberstamp to ink it. Try both ways and see, which you prefer.
Place paper (or other surface to stamp) on a hard even surface like a desk or countertop. Gently press inked stamp to paper. Do not rock or wiggle the stamp. Lift stamp straight up.

Stamp and Water-based Markers

Never use permanent markers. Permanent ink will damage the rubberstamp.
Set rubberstamp on your worktable or work with the rubberstamp in your hand with the image or rubber side up. Using water-based markers color directly to the rubber image. This technique allows you the greatest variety of coloring the image before it is stamped. When done coloring the stamp you will need to breath or huff on the image to make sure all the marker colors are still wet enough to stamp an image. The colors should have a light sheen signaling you that the marker ink is wet.
Place paper (or other surface to stamp) on a hard even surface like a desk or countertop. Gently press inked stamp to paper. Do not rock or wiggle the stamp. Lift stamp straight up.