As a rubber stamper, unmounted rubber stamps may have caught your eye at some point. As their name suggests, these are stamp images only, that need to be placed on a holder before you can stamp the image. If you are planning to build a rubber stamp collection, you may want to try out unmounted rubber stamps. They are less expensive, and do not take up nearly as much space as traditional mounted stamps. You can store them in a flat surface, such as in a protective sheet in a three ring binder, and numerous other storage options.
Unmounted rubber stamps consist of the stamp artwork, sometimes with a bit of a cushion underneath. The stamp is then mounted on a block, either wooden, or what I prefer, the clear acrylic blocks for temporary mounting. When finished using the stamp, you can easily take the stamp off the mount and store it again. I'll be discussing temporary mounting options, as they let you take advantage of the ease and convenience of flat storage.
The supplies for mounting a stamp are relatively simple. You'll need some type of adhesive, a block that fits the size of your image, and your stamping supplies. Repositional glue, such as a re-tacking glue you can use over and over is popular, and can be purchased at craft stores. Another popular option that I use is vinyl cling, which works with acrylic mounts. Using static electricity, the vinyl cling material acts as its own kind of sticky cushion, which attaches the block and rubber stamp together. Yet another popular system is a hook and loop system called the HALOS system, which requires special materials.
Before you get started, you'll want to trim your stamp with scissors, being careful not to cut into the stamp image. If using foam, you'll also want to trim the foam before mounting it to the block, making sure the foam edges match the block edges. If the foam edges are peaking out of the block, the edges of the foam may pick up ink and spoil your image. Once everything is trimmed, place the foam on the block, and then the stamp image on the foam, and you are ready to ink and stamp.
Its important to clean your stamps before putting them away. The best way is with a bottle of specialty stamp cleaner with a roll-on applicator. You can just roll it onto the stamp and wipe away. Another option is to wipe the stamp with a damp cellulose sponge. Do not soak the stamp in any type of oil-based cleaner, as this will weaken the rubber. For creativity, and ease of storage and use, give unmounted rubber stamps a try.
Amy Wells is a rubber stamping crafter. Visit http://www.BuyRubberStamp.com for a large selection of discount unmounted rubber stamps |
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