Cutting and Mounting Stampin' Up Rubber Stamps

I have found that Stampin' Up! makes great products. Some of the sets I sell are not put together yet. Even if a set is new, my goal is to make your work less, and the stamps better over all, so I do take a lot of time and effort to put them together, it is a little "science" I have devised that seems to work best to add for a long life with SU stamps, especially ones you use a lot.

SU rubber stamps need to be cut out. You do need thier Stampin' Up scissors OR a very sharp small pair  or good large pair (Fiskars usually do pretty well if that is what you have) that can handle the thick rubber and adhesive and backing paper.

The best advise is TAKE YOUR TIME and cut SLOWLY. That way you will not get frustrated and cut too far out - which leaves shadows when you stamp.That extra rubber - if it gets left on the stamp-can get ink on it, and then you have your image AND a mark from where you did not cut the rubber close enough to the image. That is what stampers call "shadows."

Set aside a time when you can JUST put stamps together. You will get more done then trying to watch TV, (or if you do have the TV on something make it something that does not require your full attention). I suggest cutting stamps out when you get them so you won't have to  hurry because a project or card needs to be made and your stamps are not yet cut or mounted.

First open the box and figure out what stamp is going to fit best on what wood block.

Then, cut the image out from the "stikers" that have that same image on them and fit it on the block the way you want to stamp.  The only risk here is putting on the stamp upside down from the image...that is why no intense TV, or you will do what I did, and look really silly at a stamp party! After showing everyone what we were going to do, I stamped the dog upside down, did not look and showed everyone my work ...yes they were all laughing...

Once you cut the image out, go back over it, with the fine point of the scissors and remove as much extra rubber -without harming the image- as you can. This is where the extra time and patience comes in.

Have some wood, or good adhesive glue ready. Then peel off the adhesive off the back of the rubber image you just cut out. STOP and get your glue. Wood glue is great, super glue is tricky, and Elmers will not hold well. Hobby glue or SU's Crystal Effects works great also. Infact when I have it, it is what I use first!

With the wood block on a flat surface, place glue on the back of the image you just cut out. Then carefully place it on the wood block. Some stampers center thier images on the blocks of wood, some put them all the way to the edge of the wood. It is a personal choice - if you like to know your stamp is in the center always glue it there.

WHY USE GLUE? Because if you stamp a lot, go to stamp parties where your stamps will be used over and over, or time just passes before you get back to a stamp set, you will find that Stampin' Up's adhesive dries out, is damaged by cleaning of the stamps, and over time, fairly quickly if you stamp a lot, like Christmas Cards...the image will slip off of the adhesive. That is why I always use a good strong water-proof glue when putting stamps together.

Let the stamps glued on stamp images dry fully before using. I usually place them with rubber image up in the plastic case they came in, and set aside for a day. Then I go back and check that they are secure and organize them in the case the way I want them and close the case them away.

PREVENTING INK STAINS:  This is an extra step I do on all wood blocks before I gule the stamp image on. It is up to you, as some stampers love stamps with ink all over them ...for me it makes for easier clean up later after my children use them and ink is everywhere, or I have a stamping party and ink is everywhere!

I have heard that some stampers use Clear Nail Polish to seal thier stamps, I have tried it and it does work. I prefer to use a spray in an open area that seales the wood with a varnish finish. I go to the hardware store and get the wood varnish spray, water-proof and spray all the blocks at once in a well ventilated area with no flammable materials around. And no children or pets around of course!

Later I will add a guide on what to do if you have ink stains on stamps that you would like to remove!

Thanks and enjoy your stamping projects!