How do I use stamps in my scrapbooking?

The use of stamps in your creation gives you lots of opportunities to easily create your own motifs and designs, using ink pads, paints, pencils and other things.

Scrapbooking and stamping are two hobbies that complement each other. Stamping is very easy to use in your scrapbook projects and gives you opportunities for a lot of creativity.

We have chosen to divide the stamps in the following categories:
- Rubber stamps
- Clear stamps (Acrylic stamps)
- Foam stamps
- Roller stamps
- Wax seal stamping

Tips about the inks and colors for stamps can be found here...

Tips on storing stamps can be found here ...

Rubber stamps can be divided into two categories, mounted on a wood block or so-called cling stamps. Cling stamps are basically the same as a stamp mounted on wood block though it is without a block. Used to advantage on an acrylic block instead.



Rubber stamps are motifs been etched or molded onto a sheet of rubber, and is normally fixed to a cushioning material together is glued to a wooden block or as sold loose Cling stamps. Very high temperatures used in the manufacturing of the rubber stamp. This means that you get a durable seal with a long service life.

Today it is no great difference in quality between the rubber stamps mounted on wood block or Cling stamps. A few years ago it was rubber stamps mounted on wood block both more detailed and were higher quality.

Many of the leading manufacturers has more or less focused on Cling stamps and toned down its range of rubber stamps mounted on wood block. This is because Cling stamps are cheaper and more flexible for the customer.

How easy stamps you with rubber stamps:
- Put your stamp motif on a smooth surface with rubber top.
- Take the ink on the subject, be sure that you cover the entire subject with the ink.
- Turn the stamp so that the subject comes down, and press it against your paper where you want the subject to be placed.
- Make sure not to touch the stamp while you trykcer it against your paper. Minimum rörlese makes your subject blur.
- Lift the stamp with one hand and use your other hand no assurance holding down the paper.
- Clean your stamp directly.



Clearstamps (Acrylic stamps) is also called polymer stamps. They are all the same thing and means that the stamp is transparent with a back that is sticky or cling type, which betyer the stamp is affixed to a "sheet" and is detachable to be put on an acrylic block for stamping.



Acrylic stamps are not really acrylic, because they are made of photopolymer or vinyl. They have over the last 5 years has become very popular and it is not surprising when you look at the benefits versus rubber stamps. As this manufacturing process does not allow the subject is as detailed as in klassiksa rubber stamps, so there is space for both sortena on soil conditions, each with its advantages!

Some clearstamps turn yellow after a while but it has no impact on functionality / features, but depends only on what materials were used in production.

Generally, this is the current standard of clearstamps overall very good especially from the more famous brands.

Bumblebees range of Clear Stamps can be found here ...

Advantages of clearstamps:
- The stamps are transparent and used on an acrylic block, which allows you to apply your stamp precisely where you want it.

- It's easy to combine different clearstamps to et to the acrylic block, which is useful if you want to build up a picture or "scene". It is much more difficult with traditional rubber stamps, but can use special positioning tools help.

- Acrylic stamps takes considerably less space than rubber stamps on wooden blocks. Some clearstamps in CD packaging, others only in plastic packaging.

- You need only a few acrylic blocks of different sizes, where you pick off / on your clearstamps depending on what subject you should use.

- Acrylic stamps has considerable tlägre manufacturing cost than wood-mounted rubber stamps, which will benefit you as the end customer. You should normally be able to buy an entire sheet of various clearstamps the same price as a normal sized rubber stamp mounted on wooden blocks.

- Cleaning clearstamps is ofat easier because you separate the stamp from the acrylic block.

Disadvantages of clearstamps:
- If you do not keep your stamps in a proper way so they can soon deteriorate. Ideally, they should not be exposed to either cold or sunlight to avoid losing their properties. They can be both hard and brittle.

- Compared with a high quality detailed rubber stamp, so may not be the quality of the imprint as well. Beware of cheap acrylic stamps that can vekra soft in texture and thus provide blur when you put pressure on it.

- Do not use oil-based (Solvent) Ink for your clearstamps. They significantly shortens the life of the stamps and they are also stained. Do not use techniques that cause bleaching. Although acetone and paint strippers should be avoided.

- One of the biggest problems with clearstamps is that over time they may lose their ability to attach application of an acrylic block. By continuously gently wash them in lukewarm water to discourage you this.

- An acrylic stamp is not as long life generally as a rubber stamp. Acrylic stamps made of quality polymer lasts longer stamps made of cheaper materials .. A rubberstamp maintained, can last a whole lifetime!


Foam stamps are a flexible and exciting alternative to rubber- and clearstamps, and you have not yet tried it, you should do it!




You can use foam stamps on all surfaces that can be painted or stamped on, eg altrade projects such as bowls, boxes, CD cases, message boards and more.

Applying ink or paint on your foam stamp. If you use some thicker color, you can if you want, styka out the color of the foam piece using a small brush, for smoothing the stamp results. Also experimenting with allowing the color to be rough on your foamstamp, which can give you exciting effects!

To consider:
- If you use an ink pad, do not press too hard because your foam stamp then risk absorbing too much ink, making your subject risks being blurred / blurrigt.

- To get sharp prints, make sure that you lift your foam stamp straight up after stamping.

- Want to give your projet a more personal style, you can with ease eg create overlap, mix designs and fonts, mix colors on your foamstamp.

- Always clean your foam stamps immediately after use so you do not risk the foam becomes hard and useless. A soft old toothbrush is a good cleaning tool!

- Foam stamps has the ability to absorb water, which means that it can remain if you clean between the color change. Ensure always that the foam is dry before using the next color.

Accessories that are good to have when working with foam stamps:
- A small "palette" of color
- A container with water to immediately clean your foamstamp
- Paper

Bumblebees range of Foam Stamps can be found here...


Roller stamps is another way to use stamping in your creative projects! One can divide them into two groups; The date and time stamps, and motifs / border stamps.



Date and time stamp is a fun way of example time-tag your photos or your entire project. works like the old-time stamps where you yourself set the year-month-day. There are also words and phrases now, which you then manage accordingly.

Border stamps are very useful and a good choice when your project is based on short-manufacture or an edge in your scrapbook projects. You roll the stamp of an ink pad so that the ink stick to the subject. Then, apply it on your project. To be sure of a good result so roll stämplen several times in your ink pad.

If you think a spell on a long distance on your paper, then do only half the distance, and then apply the more ink your stamp roles input you complete the last piece, otherwise you risk that the color becomes thinner at the end.


Wax seal stamps is the cousin of stamping and therefore we have decided to write about it on this page. Working with wax in your project adds both a unique look and challenge your creativity. Moreover, it is fantastic fun!



What you need:
- A vase stand
- A seal stamp wax
- A Candle
- A piece of damp paper or a sponge to keep your stamp damp
- A pen at tmarkera were in your project, you should use the wax

The candle is used to light the wick on your vaxsticka. When you use the stick for the first time so cut off some of the top first before lighting it.

It is very important that you make sure your wax stamp is wet when using it, Annar there may be problems with the punch. Remember also that you let the stamp remain in the wax for a few seconds so that it has time to solidify.

More tips on how you can use wax in your projects, you get in the videos below.