Stamp Some Fun!

Q&A regarding the Tissue & Vinyl Technique for converting stamps

I've been getting lot's of email about the vinyl I use for converting wood mount stamps to clear mount. So today we'll do some Q&A -

Q:  What are the measurements of the sheets? Do you have an idea of how many stamps can be converted per vinyl sheet (I realize the sizes vary so much, just hoping for some idea on how much I need)? And then my last question is the price for the sheets, does that include s&h? 

A: The sheets are 9" X 12".  This picture shows how many stamps can fit onto one sheet of vinyl.  I've outlined a 9" X 12" rectangle on a piece of grid paper and filled it with stamps. I'm packaging it in super strong 10" X 13" Tyvek envelopes and there will be paper separating the sheets of vinyl.  This is not the type of tissue paper that I use to stamp on, it simply keeps the vinyl from sticking together. Prices include shipping.  These are only $1.75 per sheet when you order the pack of 15!!

Q: Do I have to use StazOn ink?  

A: I recommend StazOn because it has given me the best results.  I tried the Classic Black ink and it looked great for about 2 days until it started to bleed.  You can still see the image, but it doesn't look as sharp or as nice as when I used StazOn.

Q:  When I put the stamp onto the tissue paper, it "bleeds" the image a bit - the result is an image that isn't nearly as crisp as the image truly is. I'm using StazOn.  It seems to bleed when I hold it down to trace around the stamp edge. Do you have any sugggestions for overcoming this?  My only thought would be to stamp it onto regular paper, but I'm not sure if that will be too thick?

A: Make sure your ink is dry before applying the glue.  Is your StazOn ink pad a new one?  Does it have allot of ink?  It's possible that the stamp is getting too wet and that is causing the bleeding when you hold it still for the time required to trace around it.  Maybe, as an experiment, you could stamp it once -lightly- onto a piece of scratch paper and then onto the tissue - hold it still & trace.  Check if that gives you the desired results. I would not use text weight paper as you risk it cracking with repeated use.  The tissue paper is so thin and flexible that I haven't had any problems with it.

Q: Can I just use the sticker that comes with the stamp set instead of stamping on the tissue? Why use the vinyl when the dried Tombow will stick on the clear block without it?

A: I don't recommend this because, over time, it could start to leave a sticky residue on your clear blocks that could be hard to remove.  Also, if you leave a stamp on the block for too long, you risk damage when removing it as it could try to bond permanently.

Q: When you are using a new wood mount set that has not been mounted, you stamp an image on tissue paper first.  Is there a reason why you don't just put a layer of Tombow glue on the top of the image sticker sheet that comes with the set and put vinyl on that? 

A:  I had thought about doing what you suggest, but didn't because of the possibility that joining the plastic image sticker directly to the vinyl will cause the glue to break down over time and get gunky. Then the vinyl & sticker would slide apart leaving a mess.

Q: My question is in with regards to now storing the new clear mount stamps. I've read on other sites where clear mount stamps are not supposed to be stored on acetate sheets because they will eventually bond permanently. How do you store you new converted clear mount stamps?

A: I use the Stampin' Up! cases, item #119105  available from my online store anytime.

Tips: Always check to be sure your blocks and the inside of your case is clean and dust-free.  That can cause stamps not to stick.  When using either the cases or even the clear blocks, it helps if you press and hold the stamp in place for a few seconds.  Another thing that can help your stamps cling more securely to the clear block is to "huff" or exhale your warm, moist breath onto the block before sticking the stamp on.  When I convert some stamp sets, I put one set on each side of the case and slip a piece of card stock between.  That way I can store 2 stamp sets in one case and save even more storage space!  

 Here's a picture of a retired set that I converted.  I hope this has helped.  Thanks for your emails and questions. You're keeping me on my toes!

 Susan ; )

Ordering info. is at the bottom of this post.   Thanks!

Vinyl for converting wood mount to clear mount back in stock!

Many of you have seen my videos and photo tutorials on converting your wood mount stamps to clear mount using my Tissue & Vinyl Technique and have successfully converted your stamps.  Well, guess what?  I finally have vinyl back in stock and ready to go!  Order buttons are below.  If you haven't seen my technique before, you can find all the videos and photo tutorials here.  This is the most cost efficient method you'll ever see (only $1.75 per sheet in 15 sheet pack) and it leaves your converted stamps with indexing labels just like the clear mount stamps we sell!  We also have empty stamp cases that match all your other clear mount sets.  You can find the clear mount stamp cases here.  Only $5.95 for a pack of 4!

  Here's an example of how converting your stamps can make them easier to use as well as

taking up less storage space.  These letters are from the Lovely Letters set which is only available in wood mount.  I got this set after I developed my Tissue & Vinyl Technique and used the instructions shown in video #2 HERE and also the beginning of the photo tutorial HERE.  As you can see in the first photo above, it's easy to line up the letters using our Grid Paper and then you just set your clear block over the stamps and press to adhere.  And here's a card I made using my converted stamps.  Tracy has a birthday coming up soon, I hope she doesn't see this!

STAMPIN’ UP SUPPLIES:

• Lovely Letters Alphabet stamp set 115030
• STAMPIN’ UP INK PADS:  119670 Early Espresso, 101406 Jet Black StazOn
• STAMPIN’ UP CARDSTOCK:  101650 Very Vanilla, 100702 Old Olive, 102544 Rose Red
• STAMPIN’ UP ACCESSORIES: 121782 Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, 104152 Paper Cutter, 110755 Multipurpose Liquid Glue
• NON-STAMPIN' UP ITEMS: 8 mil or .008 clear vinyl, white tissue paper, tape, scratch paper, pencil 

Click the "Shop Now" tote to order any stamping supplies you need!

Vinyl Sheets U.S. Customers

1 sheet (SSFV01) $6.22 5 sheets (SSFV05) $13.72 10 sheets (SSFV10) $22.02 15 sheets (SSFV15) $26.25

Vinyl Sheets Canadian Customers

1 sheet (SSFV01) $8.22 5 sheets (SSFV05) $16.72 10 sheets (SSFV10) $25.02 15 sheets (SSFV15) $29.25

Vinyl Sheets now available!

I've been hearing from reader's that they're having difficulty finding vinyl in their hometown.  Since I've been able to buy it here in my town, I can package it and offer it for sale.   Because it comes on a bolt, making it difficult to ship, I have cut it into convenient sheets (approx. 9" X 12") which can easily be sent through the mail.  

The picture below shows how many stamps you can fit onto one piece of vinyl.  I've outlined a 9" X 12" rectangle on a piece of grid paper and filled it with stamps.  It contains:  #114944 Cheers to You, #111618 Crazy For Cupcakes, #111628 Eastern Influences, #109294 Sanded (background), #115560 Simply Thanks, and several stamps from #115030 Lovely Letters Alphabet.  This is to give you an idea of how many stamps you will be able to convert with each sheet of vinyl.  

 
 I'm packaging it in 10" X 13" Tyvek envelopes and there will be paper separating the sheets of vinyl.  This is not the type of tissue paper that I use to stamp on, it simply keeps the vinyl from sticking together.  Half price sale is a limited time offer.  Prices include shipping.  These are only $1.75 per sheet when you order the pack of 15!!

U.S. and Canadian customers use buttons below.  Click arrows to access drop-down menu. Select package size of 1, 5, 10 or 15 sheets, then click "Add to Cart."  For international addresses, email Susan@stampsomefun.com for prices.

Vinyl Sheets U.S. Customers

1 sheet (SSFV01) $6.22 5 sheets (SSFV05) $13.72 10 sheets (SSFV10) $22.02 15 sheets (SSFV15) $26.25

Vinyl Sheets Canadian Customers

1 sheet (SSFV01) $8.22 5 sheets (SSFV05) $16.72 10 sheets (SSFV10) $25.02 15 sheets (SSFV15) $29.25

Additional info. about the vinyl used for converting stamps

I've been getting some email and comments from stampers who are having difficulty with their converted stamps sticking onto the clear mount blocks even after following the tutorial and making sure their stamps and clear blocks are clean.  A demo. friend of mine (Hi, Jen!)  followed my tutorial and was thinking that she did something wrong because her converted stamp wouldn't stick to her clear block.  She sent me a sample of the vinyl she bought and I was surprised and dismayed when I saw what she sent.  Her store receipt said that she bought vinyl, but it wasn't!  It's clear like vinyl but it's a type of plastic.  The store had it labeled wrong!  Shame on them! 

So I have some ideas to help you get the correct product when you go shopping.  When you're looking at it in the store, fold it back on itself and it should want to lightly stick together.  Not as if it were glued together, but it will cling together for a second or two.  Vinyl will do that, plastic or whatever this other stuff is won't.  And I've recently discovered some vinyl that's coated to prevent sticking - not what we want.

To further help you find the correct type of vinyl, I'll send you a 3" X 6" sample piece.  This is enough vinyl for you to convert 1 or 2 stamps and to also take along with you when you go shopping to make sure you get vinyl and not plastic.  To make it even simpler, I now offer it for sale HERE

How to get your sample?  Just click on the button below and select U.S. or Canada.  I'll get your sample sent to you within 2 - 3 business days.   -Susan              

3" X 6" Vinyl Sample

Sample - U.S. $2.00 Sample - Canada $2.50

Converting wood mount stamps to clear mount tutorial

Many of you have seen my "Wood Mounts & Clear Mounts & Stamps Oh My!" videos 1 - 3 showing my technique for converting wood mount stamps to clear mount and I promised a picture tutorial as well.  Here it is, I hope you enjoy it.  (The videos can be found by scrolling down to the 02/07/2010 post entitled; "If you are thinking of converting from wood mount to clear mount, check this out!") 

 The vinyl I'm using is simply 0.008 (AKA 8 mil or 8 gauge) clear vinyl I purchased from a fabric store.  Other supplies are stamps, StazOn Jet Black ink pad (item #101406), Tombow Mono Multi liquid glue (item #110755), pencil or pen, tissue paper and scratch paper.  A few other supplies are listed below as they are needed when we work with a tiny stamp and when we remove an already mounted stamp from it's wood block.

Converting an unmounted stamp

        
Tape tissue paper to a piece of scratch paper.  This step is just to keep the tissue from moving around while you work.  Taking a stamp that has not been previously mounted; ink it using black StazOn and stamp and hold onto tissue paper - DO NOT MOVE THAT STAMP!

          
 Using a pencil or pen, trace around the entire stamp.  You can now set aside your stamp.

Place a small amount of Tombow Mono Multi on your finger and gently apply a thin, even coat to the entire stamped image extending outside the traced lines.  Set aside until glue has dried clear and tacky.

Lay small piece of vinyl over the dried Tombow Mono and smooth it onto the tissue.

             
Remove and discard the scratch paper. 

Firmly rub over the vinyl to securely adhere it to the tissue. 

Trim out the image cutting along traced pencil lines.  This is now your indexing label.

            
Remove paper backing from stamp to expose adhesive.  

Align and attach tissue side of your indexing label to cushion side of the stamp and press together.  

Rub over indexing label to firmly adhere it onto the stamp.  

Buff with cloth or paper towel to remove fingerprints.  You have successfully created a clear mount stamp!

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Symmetrical Stamps

          
 The first picture above shows how a symmetrical stamp can be difficult to convert because both the stamp and the indexing label are the same shape.  How can you tell if you're getting the circle image correctly aligned onto the back of the circle stamp?  We solve this problem by changing the stamp so it is no longer symmetrical.  Look closely at the border of your stamp to find an area of excess rubber that is not part of the image.  Using your Craft & Rubber Scissors (item #103179), snip a small notch out of that area.  It now looks like the picture on the right.  Repeat the steps as before; stamp onto tissue and trace around the stamp including the notch you cut, apply Tombow Mono Multi, allow to dry till it's clear and tacky, attach vinyl, cut out along traced pencil lines.

    
Your stamp and indexing label will look like the picture on the left.  Remove the backing from the stamp to expose the adhesive, align the indexing label to the stamp using the notch as your reference point and smooth together.  Now you will have them perfectly aligned!
 

A           B   

C           D 
What if you have a symmetrical stamp that doesn't have a border of excess rubber that you can notch?  The way to handle this is to (A) look at the stamp to find a part of the image design located close to the edge that you will remember.  (B) Draw a line with a permanent marker on the edge of the cushion adjacent to that part of the image.  (C) Now, on your finished indexing label (vinyl covered tissue) find that same part of the image design.  (D) Align that part of the indexing label with the mark you made on the cushion.  Perfect!

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Tiny stamps and long, narrow stamps

      
Tiny or long narrow stamps can sometimes be difficult and fold over or tip over when you're working with them.  Here's how we overcome that.  Same as before; stamp onto tissue paper using StazOn and trace around your stamp.  Apply the Tombow Mono Multi and set aside to dry until clear and tacky.  Here's the different part: we need a small piece of Parchment Paper.  If you're not familiar with it, Parchment Paper is used for baking and is typically found near the wax paper and plastic wrap in the grocery store.  Use it the next time you bake cookies and you'll love it!  The reason we're using it here is that Parchment Paper will act the same way as the backing sheet on our unmounted stamps.  Later, when you need to remove it from the tissue, it will separate easily and not tear the tissue. It has a slight texture on one side; apply the textured side over the dried tacky Tombow Mono Multi and press it down.   After you have smoothed the parchment and tissue together, trim out your image along the traced pencil lines.

         
Carefully begin to separate the parchment from the tissue and fold it over exposing a small portion of the tissue.  Be careful as the tissue can try to curl at this point and you don't want that.  Place the exposed sticky part of the tissue onto your vinyl and slowly remove the rest of the parchment, smoothing the tissue as you go.  

       
 Turn it over so the vinyl side is up and firmly rub to secure the vinyl to the tissue.  Now trim the vinyl leaving a 1/8" or larger border on all sides.  This gives the stamp more support when clinging onto your clear block, making it more stable and helping to prevent it from tipping over.  Next is a picture of a long narrow stem stamp that I gave a wider vinyl border.  It is now very stable.  The glare is light reflecting off the vinyl.  Yes, it's really a stamp and not a worm!

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Converting a stamp that has already been mounted onto a wood block

     
Begin by placing your wood mounted stamp in the microwave.  Note: Each microwave oven is different, so your time may vary from mine.  Microwave on high for 8 - 10 seconds.  Carefully peel rubber stamp with cushion intact from the wood block.  Most of the adhesive will remain on the wood block, so your stamp isn't very sticky at this point.  As before, use StazOn ink to stamp onto tissue paper and trace around your stamp.  Apply Tombow Mono Multi to the tissue and set aside to dry.  Here's what's different this time; apply a thin, even coat of Tombow Mono Multi to the cushion side of your stamp and set aside to dry until clear and tacky.  When the Tombow Mono Multi is clear and tacky, attach the tissue to the vinyl, firmly adhere and trim out as before to create your indexing label.  Align and attach the tissue side of your indexing label to the tacky cushion of your stamp and rub to firmly adhere together.  Now you have successfully converted a wood mount stamp to a clear mount stamp!  (If you haven't seen the videos, you can find them by scrolling down to the 02/07/2010 post entitled; "If you are thinking of converting from wood mount to clear mount, check this out!")

 

If you are thinking of converting from wood mount to clear mount, check this out!

Whew!  I now have all 4 of these videos finished and posted.  My husband deserves so much credit as he did all the (extensive) editing and made them look pretty!  He zoomed in when I was showing small stuff and cut out the times the cat meowed or I stumbled over my words or the really weird stuff like ...  I'll be thinking of saying or doing two different things and can't decide.  My brain overloads and slips into neutral.  I kinda just freeze.  Hate when that happens, don't you?  (am I the only one?)

Anyway!  I'll put them all here in order.  The first one is a quick overview telling you what to expect.  Part 1 will explain the differences between wood mount and clear mount and how to assemble each type.  If you haven't gotten any of our new Clear Mount stamps, this video is quite helpful.  Part 2 shows you how to convert a wood mount stamp into a clear mount stamp and Part 3 shows you how I handle the difficult or "fiddly" stamps and how to remove the mounted stamps from their wood blocks so you can convert them. 

I know many stampers are looking for easy and inexpensive ways to convert their wood mount stamps and my goal was to develop a technique for doing that.  Let me know if these videos helped and if you have any questions.

Converting wood mount stamps to clear mount Part 1

Converting wood mount stamps to clear mount Part 2

Converting wood mount stamps to clear mount Part 3