H ere's a look at the three Stampin' Up! stamp types. Wood- Mounted Classic Red Rubber, Clear- Mounted Classic Red Rubber, and Photopolymer.
Project Recipe
Wood- mount classic red rubber stamps ~ when you chose the wood - mount option your stamps come un- mounted with a sticker sheet and the wood blocks to mount them on. First punch out the rubber from the sheet leaving the sticky backing on. Then match up the stamps and the wood blocks so the rubber fits completely on the block without a lot of excess. Once you have matched them- peel the backing off and apply them to the block. You can then put the corresponding sticker on the front of the block.
The classic red rubber also comes in a clear- mount option. The 'clear' refers to that you mount these red rubber stamps to clear blocks.
This is the back of the clear- mount classic red rubber stamps - with the paper backing still attached.
Punch the stamp from the sheet with your thumbs.
You can peel off the paper backing off the entire sheet. I keep the excess rubber sheet to adhere to the inside of the dvd sized stamp case to put my stamps back into -this keeps them from being loose in the case and I can easily tell if I'm missing a stamp.
*note - I am old school and cut down my rubber which is not necessary with today's stamps.
I do not adhere the stickers to my clear- mount classic red rubber stamps. I found that the soft cushion sticks to the clear blocks better without the vinyl like cling sticker. I press the the soft side of the stamp to the clear block to mount.
Photopolymer stamps are transparent and are mounted on clear blocks.
*For best stamping results use with the Stampin' Pierce Mat under your cardstock to provide cushion for applying even pressure.
You gently peel back the clear sheet and gently peel off the stamp and mount it on the clear block. One side is a heavier plastic with the image printed on it - you keep both pieces with the photopolymer stamps sandwiched in between.
* Photopolymer stamps are sunlight sensitive so do not store them in direct sunlight.
You ink all the stamps the same. Lightly tap the stamp on the ink pad with slight even pressure. Do not twist down hard or mash down - you don't want ink on the block- only on the raised stamped image.
To stamp the image - place the inked stamp on the cardstock to stamp the image. Apply even pressure - do not rock as this might leave 'halos' around the image.
*for best results stamping with the Photopolymer stamps use the Stampin' Pierce Mat - it provides the right amount of cushion for applying even pressure.
** Seen here under the cardstock. I've cut mine in half and wrapped it in scratch paper.
Then lift and you've done it!
We have two different great ways to clean your stamps - the Stampin' Scrub and the Simply Shammy. The Stampin' Scrub is a washable, plush,pair of black fiber scrub pads - one to wash and one to dry ( use with Stampin' Mist cleaner spray to clean and condition your stamps). And the Simply Shammy a reusable stamp cleaning mat - you just dampen with water and although the ink stains it doesn't transfer to your fingers or other stamps.
With the Simply Shammy just softly rub the stamp to remove the ink. The Shammy is also ideal to clean the stamps when using the Stamparatus.