Inky help please...

[Wellington]

...see I had to come back - I'm stuck already LOL I just can't craft without you guys :D

Has anyone got any tips on inking up solid stamps that are more rubber than image? The snowy village scene from the EI 'Snow Is Falling' plate is half night sky with some snowflakes falling through it, but try as I might I can't get an even print. I've tried the usual tapping an ink pad onto the stamp & I've also tried wiping the ink pad across but just don't seem to be able to get an even coverage...?

[Anne]

Welly! *hug*

I had a similar problem a few months back and asked for help here - got loads of suggestions but I became so disillusioned I haven't gone back to that particular stamp to try out everyone's suggestions.

I think Phree suggested using a brayer.

Here's the link to my thread - there may be something there to help you. :)

http://www.crafttelly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491

[sheilaj]

(waving) I usually say its a vintage printing effect!:D:D:D
(just noticed we've been cut back on smillies:eek:

[Phree]

OK, have you tried cleaning the stamp thoroughly using Stazon cleaner and a stamp cleaning mat such as Rubbit-Scrubit?

Have you test stamped with other inks and other types of card stock to see if you get better results?

Not sure if you have a brayer but applying ink from a brayer may help give more even coverage.

Failing that then you may need to lightly sand the stamp to condition the surface ready to take ink. You could also try the "Sellotape" method as advocated by DB.

I have seen Glenda's stamps being made and there is a sheet of silcone paper involved in the process which may have left some residue - but by rights a good clean with stazon cleaner and a stamp cleaning mat should get that off - it's what Glenda says she does with her stamps and what I do routinely with mine too cuz their first stamping is always with stazon onto the back of the U-Mount I am about to stick the themeplate onto.

Edit - one other thing you could try is putting a thickish pile of paper or magazines underneath what you are stamping onto to make sure you have really good cushioning for the stamp and a level surface.

[Dips]

Hi Welly, so GLAD to see you back! I have an article in one of the craft mags that demos using photo-stamps and they advocate using a brayer, but I'm guessing that buying any new equipment is not an option at the mo!

[LoobyLou]

If I have a tricky begger to stamp I turn it upside down, ink it and then very carefully lay the paper on top. I then run over the back of the paper/card with a clean brayer and hey presto when I lift it off it should have stamped cleanly. Failing that I put it in the microwave and remove it from the wooden block. I have found a few stamps that did not like stamping whilst attached to the expensive wooden block but stamped fine once removed and mounted on umount or similar, or even just stuck on the acrylic block. I also would suggest stamping with your card over say a mouse mat or similar for a cushion effect.

LL

PS Nice to see you back

[Wellington]

Ta for tips peeps - I had an inkling that this had been discussed before, thanks for the link Anne :)

I think I need to invest in a brayer to see what effect that has - I have a feeling that dabbing causes the stippled effect

[Wellington]

Phree, I've just looked at your blog & you've done that stamp beautifully :) I've never tried blending inks directly on a stamp. So along with a brayer, I think I still need to invest in a Colorbox stylus kit (like that fab offer they had on QVC months ago that I missed out on cos they decided whatever stock they tried to get for me wasn't of sufficient quality - or something :mad: )

[Phree]

Aw, thanks Welly, mind you I didn't use the ColorBox tool, I just used petal point ink pads direct to the stamp.